Page 32 - Drug Class Review

Final Report Update 1 Drug Effectiveness Review Project

Author, Year Mean N Duration Disease Results Quality
Age (weeks) Severity Rating
(years)
Tacrine vs. Placebo
Qizilbash et al., NR 1,98 3-36 NR Symptoms: small beneficial effect of Fair
36
1998 (MA) 4 TAC for cognitive and clinical
impression outcomes
Behavior / function: small beneficial
effect of TAC for behavioral outcomes;
no difference in functional capacity
Farlow et al., 1992 58 71 468 12 Mild- Symptoms: No differences compared to Fair
moderate placebo except for TAC 80mg/d on
CGI-C
Behavior / function: NR
Memantine vs. Placebo
Reisberg et al., 76 252 28 Moderate Symptoms: MEM significantly better than Fair
2003 59, 76, 77 - severe placebo on cognitive and global
assessment measures
Behavior / function: significantly better
daily function and less caregiver time;
no difference in behavior
Tariot et al., 2004 60 76 404 24 Moderate Symptoms: significantly slower decline in Fair
- severe cognitive and global assessment
scores for MEM (+DON)
Behavior / function: MEM (+DON)
significantly better than placebo on
measures of function, behavior, and
caregiver dependence.
* This trial was open-label; in the absence of meeting all characteristics of an effectiveness trial, this trial would be
given a poor quality rating for internal validity
** Effectiveness trial
MA = meta-analysis
SR = systematic review

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