Patients should consult their physicians before taking any additional prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, nutritional supplements or herbal medications. Of particular concern to individuals taking Alzheimer’s medications are:

• Aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Some types of NSAIDs such as aspirin or ibuprofen may interact with Alzheimer’s medications.
  
  
• Other Alzheimer's disease medications. Most Alzheimer's medications interact with other drugs used to treat the condition. In general, Alzheimer's disease should not be treated with more than one type of medication. This is also true of medications used to treat psychiatric symptoms.
  
  
• Anticholinergics. Medications for spasms commonly used to treat symptoms of Parkinson's disease and in some surgical procedures. They may interact with many drugs used to treat Alzheimer’s disease. Patients are advised to discuss the use of anticholinergics and Alzheimer’s medications with a physician.
  
  
• Other interactions. Some other drug interactions, which may reduce the effectiveness of medication or cause adverse side effects, include:
  
  
• Donepezil with anticonvulsants, such as carbamazepine and phenobarbital
  
  
• Vitamin E with anticoagulants (medications used to stop blood from clotting)
  
  
• Memantine with antacids, such as cimetidine
  
  
• Galantamine with certain antibiotics, such as erythromycin