Galantamine

ga-LAN-ta-meen

Commonly used brand name(s)

In the U.S.

• Razadyne


• Razadyne ER


• Razadyne IR

Available Dosage Forms:

• Tablet


• Capsule, Extended Release


• Solution

Therapeutic Class: Central Nervous System Agent

Pharmacologic Class: Cholinesterase Inhibitor, Centrally/Peripherally Acting

Uses For galantamine

Galantamine is used to treat the symptoms of mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease. Galantamine will not cure Alzheimer's disease, and it will not stop the disease from getting worse. However, galantamine can improve thinking ability in some patients with Alzheimer's disease

In Alzheimer's disease, many chemical changes take place in the brain. One of the earliest and biggest changes is that there is less of a chemical called acetylcholine (ACh). ACh helps the brain to work properly. Galantamine slows the breakdown of ACh, so it can build up and have a greater effect. However, as Alzheimer's disease gets worse, there will be less and less ACh, so galantamine may not work as well.

galantamine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Before Using galantamine

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For galantamine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to galantamine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Studies on galantamine have been done only in adult patients, and there is no specific information comparing use of galantamine in children with use in other age groups. Use in children is not recommended.

Geriatric

Galantamine levels are higher in older adults than in healthy young subjects.

Pregnancy

	Pregnancy Category	Explanation
All Trimesters	B	Animal studies have revealed no evidence of harm to the fetus, however, there are no adequate studies in pregnant women OR animal studies have shown an adverse effect, but adequate studies in pregnant women have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus.

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking galantamine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using galantamine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Amitriptyline


• Fluoxetine


• Fluvoxamine


• Ketoconazole


• Oxybutynin


• Paroxetine


• Quinidine


• Tolterodine

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of galantamine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Asthma (or history of) or


• Lung disease—May make breathing problems worse

• Epilepsy or history of seizures—Galantamine may cause seizures

• Heart problems, including slow heartbeat or heart block (slow and irregular heartbeat)—May make condition worse

• Kidney problems or


• Liver problems—Your doctor may need to adjust your dose. If the problems are severe, you should not take galantamine.

• Mild cognitive impairment (memory problems)—Galantamine should not be used for this condition.

• Stomach ulcer (or history of) or


• Urinary tract blockage or difficult urination—Galantamine may make these conditions worse

Proper Use of galantamine

Dosing

The dose of galantamine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of galantamine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

If you are taking the tablets or oral solution: Take galantamine with your morning and evening meals.

If you are taking the extended-release capsules: Take galantamine with your morning meal.

Follow the instruction sheet for the proper dosing of the oral solution and ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

Make sure that you are drinking plenty of fluids while you are taking galantamine.

• For oral dosage forms (oral solution and tablets):
  
  • For treatment of Alzheimer's disease:
    
    • Adults—To start, take 4 mg (milligrams) two times a day. Your doctor may increase your dose gradually if you are doing well on galantamine.
    
    
  
  


• For long acting oral dosage forms (extended-release capsules):
  
  • For treatment of Alzheimer's disease:
    
    • Adults—To start, take 8 mg one time a day. Your doctor may increase your dose gradually if you are doing well on galantamine.
    
    
  
  

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of galantamine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Do not take your morning and evening doses close together.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Precautions While Using galantamine

It is very important that your doctor check you at regular visits.

Tell your doctor if your symptoms get worse, or if you notice any new symptoms.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This especially includes nonprescription medicines, such as aspirin, and medicines for appetite control, asthma, colds, cough, hay fever, or sinus problems.

Galantamine causes a large number of patients to have problems with their stomachs and intestines. Tell your doctor about any nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain or loss of appetite.

If you think you or someone else may have taken an overdose of galantamine, get emergency help at once. Taking an overdose of galantamine may lead to convulsions (seizures) or shock. Some signs of shock are large pupils, irregular breathing, and fast weak pulse. Other signs of an overdose are severe nausea and vomiting, increasing muscle weakness, greatly increased sweating, and greatly increased watering of the mouth.

galantamine Side Effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

Less common

• Chest pain or discomfort


• Shortness of breath

Incidence not known

• Attack, assault, force


• bloody or black, tarry stools


• confusion


• constipation


• convulsions


• decreased urination


• dry mouth


• increase in heart rate


• increased thirst


• irregular heartbeat


• mood changes


• muscle pain or cramps


• numbness or tingling in hands, feet, or lips


• rapid breathing


• severe stomach pain


• sunken eyes


• vomiting of blood or material that looks like coffee grounds


• wrinkled skin

Symptoms of overdose

• Cramping


• defecation or urination, uncontrolled


• dizziness


• drooling


• fainting


• increased sweating


• low blood pressure


• muscle weakness


• seizures


• slow heart beat


• severe nausea or vomiting


• slow or troubled breathing


• tearing of the eyes


• watering of the mouth

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

• Bladder pain


• bloody or cloudy urine


• diarrhea


• difficult, burning, or painful urination


• discouragement


• feeling sad or empty


• frequent urge to urinate


• irritability


• loss of appetite


• loss of interest or pleasure


• lower back or side pain


• nausea


• tiredness


• trouble concentrating


• vomiting


• weight loss

Less common

• Abdominal pain


• pale skin


• troubled breathing with activity


• slow or irregular heartbeat (less than 50 beats per minute)


• light-headedness


• dizziness or fainting


• unusual tiredness or weakness


• indigestion


• headache


• blood in urine


• lower back pain


• pain or burning while urinating


• trouble sleeping


• unable to sleep


• sleepiness


• sleeplessness


• stuffy nose


• unusual bleeding or bruising


• unusual drowsiness


• high or low blood pressure


• tremor

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

See also: galantamine side effects (in more detail)

The information contained in the Thomson Reuters Micromedex products as delivered by Drugs.com is intended as an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment. It is not a substitute for a medical exam, nor does it replace the need for services provided by medical professionals. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before taking any prescription or over the counter drugs (including any herbal medicines or supplements) or following any treatment or regimen. Only your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist can provide you with advice on what is safe and effective for you.

The use of the Thomson Reuters Healthcare products is at your sole risk. These products are provided "AS IS" and "as available" for use, without warranties of any kind, either express or implied. Thomson Reuters Healthcare and Drugs.com make no representation or warranty as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, usefulness or completeness of any of the information contained in the products. Additionally, THOMSON REUTERS HEALTHCARE MAKES NO REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTIES AS TO THE OPINIONS OR OTHER SERVICE OR DATA YOU MAY ACCESS, DOWNLOAD OR USE AS A RESULT OF USE OF THE THOMSON REUTERS HEALTHCARE PRODUCTS. ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE ARE HEREBY EXCLUDED. Thomson Reuters Healthcare does not assume any responsibility or risk for your use of the Thomson Reuters Healthcare products.

More galantamine resources

• Galantamine Side Effects (in more detail)
• Galantamine Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Drug Images
• Galantamine Drug Interactions
• Galantamine Support Group
• 5 Reviews for Galantamine - Add your own review/rating

• galantamine Concise Consumer Information (Cerner Multum)


• Galantamine MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)


• Galantamine Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Galantamine Hydrobromide Monograph (AHFS DI)


• Razadyne Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Razadyne ER Extended-Release Capsules MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)

Compare galantamine with other medications

• Alzheimer's Disease