기억력 약
Many patients are concerned about preventing dementia. Forgetfulness can increase with age, and it is frustrating. So that’s when they come to me asking for a memory pill.
Patients come in requesting a prescription for a 기억력 약, which loosely translates to a “memory pill” in Korean. I then ask, why do you think you need it? And most respond by citing their concerns for forgetfulness, and that they want to improve their memory. They also state they would like to prevent the onset of dementia, and their friends told them they need to take this pill. The earlier the better.
The memory pill refers to donepezil and memantine, two medications FDA approved for dementia. The problem is that I don’t know of any studies showing these medications improve memory. Professional guidelines specifically discourage the use of these medications for mild cognitive impairment. The guidelines also specifically state that there is no data to suggest taking these medications prevent dementia, delay diagnosis, or slow progression.
Then why do so many patients know it as a memory pill? I’m not sure, but I’ve noticed that doctors and pharmacists encourage this euphemism. Physicians frequently prescribe these medications as “memory pills”. Pharmacists also label the medication bottles “기억력 약”. So now, memory pills are ubiquitous.
I find this to be problematic because it makes the medication sound better than it is. Given the lack of clinical data, calling donepezil and memantine memory pills can be deceiving.
I typically respond by telling them there is no medication to improve memory. If there was, I’d take it too! There are also no medications to prevent dementia or slow its progression. I eventually introduce donepezil and memantine, but as dementia pills not memory aids. And that even when used according to the intended indication, the benefit is not super convincing.
Usually patients are surprised to hear this, stating how they don’t have dementia and wouldn’t want to take a pill for dementia. I agree with them, and instead review lifestyle factors.
I am sympathetic to why these dementia medications are commonly referred to as memory aids. Maybe patients feel better about knowing that they’re doing something about their aging brain. Maybe dementia can be associated with negative stigma, and calling it a memory aid helps families feel better. Or so physicians won’t feel as powerless to help those with declining mental acuity.
But words matter in medicine. Patients request memory pills, but decline dementia pills. To call these medications memory pills is a disservice to the patients who have been convinced to add yet another medication (of questionable benefit) to their growing list.