There are medications that can be used to treat some forms of dementia. Although they do not cure the disease or stop its progression, they may, in some people, help relieve symptoms and preserve certain cognitive abilities for a period of time, improving quality of life.
These medications should be prescribed by physicians with expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of dementia, in accordance with the recommendations of the Portuguese Directorate-General of Health (Direção-Geral da Saúde, Standard No. 053/2011, updated in April 2023).
Main classes of medicines
Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors
Medicines: Donepezil, Galantamine and Rivastigmine
Indication: These medicines are indicated for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease in the mild to moderate stages and, in some cases, in the advanced stage. Some medications are also indicated for dementia associated with Parkinson's disease, and in some cases for dementia with Lewy bodies.
NMDA (Glutamate) receptor antagonists
Medicine: Memantine
Indication: Approved for moderate to severe stages of Alzheimer's disease
Anti-amiloid therapie
There are new disease-modifying therapies for Alzheimer’s disease approved in Europe, such as Lecanemab and Donanemab. They are intended for people in the early stages of the disease and require regular monitoring and a rigorous assessment of eligibility, so they are not suitable for everyone. In Portugal, they are not currently reimbursed by the National Health Service.
Vascular dementia: Treatment focuses on controlling the underlying causes (hypertension, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases) to prevent new brain lesions.
When symptoms such as depression, anxiety, agitation or psychosis are present, the physician may also consider prescribing antidepressants, anxiolytics or antipsychotics following an individual clinical assessment.
According to the recommendations of the Portuguese Directorate-General of Health, the use of anti-inflammatory drugs, vasodilators, nootropics, selegiline, hormone therapy, statins, vitamins or plant extracts is not recommended as a specific treatment for dementia or cognitive decline.
Important note: The information provided on this page is intended for general information only and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you have persistent problems with memory, language, orientation or other cognitive abilities, you should consult your family doctor or a medical specialist for an appropriate assessment.
Bibliographic references
Direção-Geral da Saúde. (2023). Norma Clínica n.º 053/2011: Abordagem diagnóstica e terapêutica do doente com declínio cognitivo ou demência (Atualização de 21 de abril de 2023). https://www.dgs.pt/normas-orientacoes-e-informacoes/normas-e-circulares normativas/norma_53_2011_act_21042023-pdf.aspx
Alzheimer Portufal (2026, September, 15) Perguntas e Respostas: Novos Fármacos para a Doença de Alzheimer . https://alzheimerportugal.org/novos-farmacos-para-a-doenca-de-alzheimer/