Dementia treatments
Dementia information
For people with dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) there is evidence that drugs called cholinesterase inhibitors may help to improve some of the symptoms, including thinking skills and visual hallucinations.
In this section:
Treatments for memory, thinking and visual hallucinations in DLB
For people with DLB, there are some treatments also prescribed for Alzheimer's disease that may help to improve symptoms such as thinking abilities and visual hallucinations.
These drugs are called:
- donepezil
- rivastigmine
- galantamine
- memantine.
These drugs boost chemicals that help brain cells send messages to each other. This can help some of the memory and thinking symptoms in DLB, even though the damage is still there.
Unfortunately they do not work for everyone, and as symptoms become more severe, they may not work as well.
There are currently no medications available to slow down the progression of DLB, but researchers are making progress towards finding life-changing treatments.
Treatments for anxiety, agitation and aggression in DLB
Some people with DLB may become more anxious, agitated or aggressive.
To help manage these symptoms, a doctor may look for causes or triggers. Removing or changing these triggers can help to reduce these symptoms.
If someone experiences severe and distressing symptoms that can't be controlled without medication, then antipsychotic drugs may be considered.
However, these drugs can cause serious side-effects. So, people with DLB taking antipsychotics should be carefully monitored.
These drugs may not be suitable for everyone with DLB, especially if they have other health conditions.
Treatments for movement problems in DLB
Problems with movement in DLB can be treated using physiotherapy or with levodopa, a drug used for Parkinson's disease.
However, in some people, levodopa can cause visual hallucinations or confusion or cause these symptoms to get worse.
Any side effects from medications should be reported to your GP.
For people whose movement problems affect them while they're asleep, practical steps such as moving objects away from the bed can reduce the risk of injury.
There are also medications available to help people with DLB who have disrupted sleep, such as melatonin or clonazepam.
For general tips around sleep quality, there is a lot of information about sleep hygiene. Your doctor will also be able to give you more advice.
Non-drug treatments for DLB
Non-drug treatments, such as cognitive therapy, physiotherapy, exercise and group activities may also help with some symptoms of DLB.
They can help to reduce the isolation and anxiety that some people living with dementia experience.
Other holistic therapies include:
- aromatherapy
- animal-assisted therapy
- music and dance therapy
- massage
- and reminiscence therapy.
These might not appeal to everyone, and more research is needed to find out how well the work. But, finding an activity that a person with dementia enjoys can help to improve general wellbeing.
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Dementia information
Read more about treatments for dementia, including information on treating depression, anxiety and agitation and for information on antipsychotics.
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Find out more
You can find out more about current diagnosis and treatments for each type of dementia on the following pages:
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This information was updated in December 2025 and is due to be reviewed in December 2027. It was written by Alzheimer’s Research UK’s Information Services team with input from lay and expert reviewers. Please get in touch if you’d like a version with references or in a different format.
This information is produced with support from The Perfume Shop who had no input into the content.
