Life Extension

The list of drugs that are prescribed to slow down the aging process is long. Some focus in on one particular disease like cancer or Alzheimer's disease while others take a broader approach to aging in general terms. As drugs, instead of supplements, these products have been approved by the Federal Drug Administration.

Aricept is the brand name of donepezil. It is a cholinesterase inhibitor used to treat Alzheimer's disease. While much is still unknown about Alzheimer's disease, scientists do think that a decline in brain chemicals known as neurotransmitters may be the cause. When these neurotransmitters are not present the nerves in the brain are less able to communicate with each other. It is enzymes known as cholinesterase that destroy the neurotransmitters. Aricept interrupts the destruction which allows the neurotransmitters to keep working properly.

When women reach the postmenopausal stage they can suffer from decreased bone mass and brittle bones, a condition known as osteoporosis. In some cases men can also suffer from osteoporosis due to a side effect from steroid medications. Fosamax is one of the frequently prescribed drugs to combat this problem.

Even as we age, our bones are in a constant state of building up and breaking down of calcium and phosphorous. In younger, healthier bones this process is a slow, steady one that allows the bones to remain strong. In osteoporosis the bone processes are happening too quickly. The bone does not have time to build up strength. It this weakened state the bone is more prone to breakage.

Fosamax is in a class of drugs known as bisphosphonate. It works by binding itself to the bone and holding on to the calcium to prevent the breakdown. This allows the calcium to build up to a healthy level again and the bones become stronger.

Diabetes is a disease that can certainly shorten a person's life span. In type II diabetes the body does not produce enough insulin to handle the blood sugar. Diabetics reduce the amount of sugar they eat, they exercise and they take insulin shots. In addition to diet, exercise and insulin injections, there are medicines available to help in the fight.

Amaryl is a blood sugar lowering drug in the class known as sulfonylureas. It is not insulin which the body needs to get the sugar out of the blood and into the cells where it can be processed. Instead the drug works to stimulate the pancreas to produce more insulin.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a painful inflammation of the joints that occurs when the cells that normally fight off infection as suppressed. Arava is a drug that offers relief by reducing the inflammation, stiffness, swelling and pain. Arava is not a cure and the rheumatoid arthritis will eventually achieve complete joint damage. Arava reduces the symptoms and delays the damage allowing the person to have more mobility for longer. Women are strongly cautioned about Arava because the drug has serious implications for pregnancy.