Galantamine

Generic name: Galantamine
Drug class: Cholinesterase inhibitors

Usage of Galantamine

Galantamine improves the function of nerve cells in the brain. It works by preventing the breakdown of a chemical called acetylcholine (ah see til KO leen). People with dementia usually have lower levels of this chemical, which is important for the processes of memory, thinking, and reasoning.

Galantamine is used to treat mild to moderate Alzheimer's type dementia.

Galantamine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Galantamine side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic Reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Galantamine can cause serious skin reactions. Stop using galantamine and call your doctor at once if you have the first signs of any skin rash, no matter how mild.

Galantamine may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

chest pain, slow heart rate;

little or no urinating;

blood in your urine;

signs of stomach bleeding--bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds;

liver problems--nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, tired feeling, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);

dehydration symptoms--feeling very thirsty or hot, being unable to urinate, heavy sweating, or hot and dry skin;

a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out; or

severe skin reaction--fever, sore throat, swelling in your face or tongue, burning in your eyes, skin pain, followed by a red or purple skin rash that spreads (especially in the face or upper body) and causes blistering and peeling.

Common side effects of galantamine may include:

nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite;

headache, dizziness; or

weight loss.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking Galantamine

You should not use galantamine if you are allergic to it.

To make sure galantamine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

urination problems;

heart disease or a heart rhythm disorder;

a history of stomach ulcer or bleeding;

seizures or epilepsy;

kidney disease;

liver disease; or

a history of asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

It is not known whether galantamine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

It is not known whether galantamine passes into breast milk or if it could affect the nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding.

Relate drugs

How to use Galantamine

Usual Adult Dose for Alzheimer's Disease:

Immediate release tablet and oral solution:Initial dose: 4 mg orally twice a day, preferably with morning and evening meals -After a minimum of four weeks, increase to 8 mg twice a day, then after an additional 4 weeks, may increase to 12 mg twice a day Maintenance dose: 16 to 24 mg per day given in 2 divided doses Maximum dose: 24 mg/dayExtended release capsule:Initial dose: 8 mg orally once a day, preferably with the morning meal-After 4 weeks, dose should be increased to 16 mg once a day, a further increase to 24 mg once a day may be considered after a minimum of 4 weeks of taking 16 mg/dayMaintenance dose: 16 to 24 mg orally once a day based on clinical benefit and tolerabilityMaximum dose: 24 mg/dayConversion from Immediate-Release (IR) Tablets or Oral Solution to Extended-Release (ER) Capsules:-Take the last dose of IR formulation n in the evening prior to starting ER capsule; start ER capsule following morning at once a day dosing -Converting from IR to ER should occur at the SAMe total daily doSageComments:-During clinical trials, an immediate-release dose of 32 mg per day was found to be less well tolerated and did not increase clinical benefit; dosing at 24 mg/day was not found to provide statistically significant increased clinical benefit from 16 mg/day; however, it might provide additional benefit for some patients. -Dose increases should be based upon assessment of clinical benefit and tolerability of the previous dose.-If therapy is interrupted for more than 3 days, the patient should be restarted at the lowest dosage and the dosage escalated to current dose.Use: For the treatment of mild to moderate dementia of the Alzheimer's type.

Warnings

Follow all directions on your medicine label and package. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all medicines you use.

What other drugs will affect Galantamine

Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using, especially:

atropine;

cold or allergy medicine that contains an antiHistamine (Benadryl and others);

medicine to treat Parkinson's disease;

medicine to treat excess stomach acid, stomach ulcer, motion sickness, or irritable bowel syndrome;

bladder or urinary medicines--darifeNACin, Fesoterodine, oxybutynin, tolterodine, solifenacin;

bronchodilators--aclidinium, ipratrOpium, or tiotropium;

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with galantamine, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.

Disclaimer

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