Information about Galantamine

Galantamine Uses

Galantamine is used in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

How Galantamine works

Memory loss in Alzheimer’s disease occurs due to disturbances of signal transmission in the brain. Galantamine is a cholinesterase inhibitor. It works by increasing the levels of a chemical messenger (acetylcholine) involved in transmmission of nerve signals. This improves memory and thinking.

Common side effects of Galantamine

Nausea, Headache, Vomiting, Diarrhea, Dizziness, Decreased appetite, Weight loss, Fatigue, Weakness, Depression, Fainting, Tremors, Sleepiness, Lethargy, Hallucination, Slow heart rate, High blood pressure, Abdominal pain, Muscle spasm
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Reviewed By
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Last updated
23 Aug 2022 | 02:52 AM (UTC)

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Available Medicine for Galantamine

GalamerSun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd
220 to ₹4494 variant(s)

Expert advice for Galantamine

  • You have been prescribed Galantamine to slow down the progression of Alzheimer's disease.
  • It does not cure Alzheimer's disease but may help improve brain function and ability to do daily activities.
  • Take it with or without food, preferably at night before going to bed.
  • It may cause diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. Drink plenty of fluids to keep yourself hydrated while taking Galantamine.
  • Monitor your body weight regularly as both Galantamine and  Alzheimer's disease can cause weight loss.
  • Do not drive or do anything that requires mental focus until you know how Galantamine affects you.
  • It may cause serious skin rashes. Stop taking medication and inform your doctor if you notice a skin rash. 
  • Inform your doctor if you develop muscle tremors, especially if you have Parkinson’s disease.
  • Inform your doctor about taking Galantamine, If you are going to have surgery under anesthesia.
  • Be cautious while taking this medicine if you suffer from peptic ulcer as it may cause vomiting, stomach bleeding, stomach pain, or discomfort.
  • Inform your doctor if you experience seizures or convulsions while taking this medicine.

Frequently asked questions for Galantamine

Galantamine

Q. Is Galantamine an antipsychotic?

No, it is not an antipsychotic. Galantamine is a cholinesterase inhibitor used for the treatment of mild to moderate Alzheimer’s dementia.

Q. What are the symptoms of overdose of Galantamine?

An overdose of Galantamine can lead to muscle weakness, muscle twitching, severe nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, decrease in blood pressure, collapse, and convulsions (sudden irregular movement of body). It may also cause watery eyes, slow heartbeat and excessive production of saliva, urine, stools, and sweat.

Q. Why more fluids are necessary during Galantamine therapy?

During Galantamine therapy various side effects like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, weight decrease can be observed. The impact of these adverse events can be reduced if Galantamine is taken with food and adequate fluid intake is ensured. Use of antiemetic agents can also be equally helpful.

Q. Does Galantamine affect weight of a patient?

Yes, treatment with cholinesterase inhibitors, including Galantamine, has been associated with weight loss in patients with Alzheimer's disease. So during Galantamine therapy, weight should be monitored for such patients.

Q. Does Galantamine have any effect on heart?

Yes, Galantamine do affect heart. Galantamine decreases heart rate, which can be seen as a common side effect of this medicine. Other uncommon side effects include AV block, palpitations, and superaventricular extrasystoles (a type of cardiac arrythmia).

Q. How Galantamine affect blood pressure?

Use of Galantamine may result in an increase in blood pressure which is a common side effect of this medicine. On the contrary, uncommon side effect of Galantamine is decrease in blood pressure. So, for a hypertensive patient a regular monitoring of blood pressure is required.

Q. Can I continue with Galantamine if I have to undergo surgery?

If you are going to have surgery, inform the surgeon or anaesthetist beforehand that you are taking this medicine. The doctor will advise you how to proceed further or may even stop Galantamine.

Q. Can I stop Galantamine on my own?

No, do not stop taking Galantamine without consulting your doctor. Continue to take Galantamine even if you feel well. If you do stop taking Galantamine for a few days or longer, call your doctor before starting Galantamine again. Your doctor will probably advise you to start with the lowest dose of Galantamine and gradually increase your dose to the dose you had been taking.

Q. What is dementia?

Dementia is a syndrome in which there is deterioration in memory, thinking, behaviour, and the ability to perform everyday activities. Alzheimer disease is the most common form of dementia and may contribute to 60–70% of cases. Dementia is one of the major causes of disability and dependency among older people worldwide.

Q. Can I take paroxetine with Galantamine?

You should avoid taking Galantamine with paroxetine. Medicines like quinidine, paroxetine or fluoxetine, ketoconazole or ritonavir interfere with the working of Galantamine. This interaction may increase the levels of Galantamine in the body that may result in nausea and vomiting. Under these circumstances, a reduction of the Galantamine maintenance dose can be considered, based on tolerability of this medicine.

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