A review of compliance to treatment in Alzheimer's disease: potential benefits of a transdermal patch

ABSTRACT

Background: Following prescribed medication regimens is essential for the effective treatment of any medical condition. Unfortunately, patients often fail to follow recommendations, and treatment non-compliance represents a widespread, often underestimated problem, placing tremendous burden on the healthcare system. Compliance in Alzheimer's disease (AD), a chronic neurodegenerative disease typically afflicting older adults, is especially challenging.

Scope: To review factors contributing to poor treatment compliance in AD, considering the prominent role care­givers often play in treatment management; and acknowledging strategic approaches, particularly modern transdermal patches, to improve compliance in this particularly susceptible population. Articles were identified by searching MEDLINE in November 2006 (search limits: 1987–2007) using the terms: compliance; Alzheimer's; treatment; and transdermal. Additional resources included bibliographies of identified articles.

Findings: Strategic approaches to improving treatment compliance include: simplifying treatment regimens, using reminder packaging, and developing more patient- or caregiver-friendly modes of administration. To date, AD therapies have been administered orally. However, recent developments in alternative modes of drug delivery, such as transdermal patches, may offer effective, well-tolerated treatment options with the potential to enhance compliance. A patch containing rivastigmine (Exelon*), an established cholinesterase inhibitor, has been developed and demonstrated to have good efficacy and tolerability in patients with AD. In addition, initial caregiver experience suggests preference for the patch over oral administration.

Conclusion: Transdermal patches may be an effective way to optimize treatment compliance for AD, as well as an increasing number of other chronic conditions that typically afflict the older population, offering the possibility of more sustained clinical benefits.