Galantamine

1 medicine

Galantamine is a cholinesterase inhibitor used for mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease dementia. It can slow the heart rate and cause fainting, and doses must be increased slowly, since raising them too fast brings on severe nausea and vomiting.

Reminyl

Galantamine

4/8mg

Reminyl is a neurology medication containing Galantamine, available as 4/8mg tablets.

from $1.44 / tablet View

Key facts

  • Galantamine is a cholinesterase inhibitor that raises levels of acetylcholine, a brain chemical involved in memory and thinking, and also boosts the response of nicotinic receptors in the brain.
  • It is taken to treat mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease dementia. The dose is increased slowly over weeks, because raising it too fast causes severe nausea, vomiting and weight loss.
  • Galantamine slows the heart rate and can cause fainting, especially in people with existing heart rhythm problems; this is its most important safety concern.
  • Seek urgent care for fainting, a very slow or irregular heartbeat, or black or bloody stools.

What galantamine treats

Galantamine treats the symptoms of mild to moderate dementia caused by Alzheimer's disease, improving memory, attention and the ability to manage daily tasks for some people. It does not stop the underlying disease from progressing and does not restore lost brain cells.

How galantamine works

Nerve cells communicate using acetylcholine, which is broken down quickly by an enzyme called acetylcholinesterase. In Alzheimer's disease, acetylcholine signaling in the brain is reduced. Galantamine blocks this enzyme and makes nicotinic receptors more responsive, so remaining acetylcholine has a stronger and longer effect on nerve signaling.

Before you take it

  • Do not take galantamine if you have severe liver or kidney disease, or a known allergy to it.
  • Tell your prescriber about slow heart rate, fainting episodes, sick sinus syndrome or other heart conduction problems, stomach ulcers, asthma or COPD, and seizures, since galantamine can worsen all of these.
  • If treatment is stopped for several days or more, it must be restarted at the lowest dose and re-titrated, not resumed at the previous dose.
  • Tell your surgical team you take galantamine before any operation, since it can prolong the effect of some muscle-relaxant anesthesia drugs.

Side effects

Common effects, especially during dose increases, include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite and dizziness.

Stop and seek urgent medical care for:

  • Fainting or a very slow, irregular heartbeat.
  • Severe or persistent vomiting, or signs of dehydration.
  • Black, tarry stools or vomiting blood (possible stomach ulcer bleeding).
  • Signs of an allergic reaction such as rash, swelling or difficulty breathing.

Safety essentials

  • Galantamine's defining risk is a slowed heart rate that can cause fainting or falls. Report any dizziness, palpitations or blackouts promptly, and avoid it if you have significant heart block or sick sinus syndrome without a pacemaker.
  • Always follow the slow titration schedule; skipping ahead to a higher dose raises the risk of severe gastrointestinal side effects and dehydration.
  • Take doses with food and adequate fluids to reduce nausea, and tell every prescriber and dentist that you take galantamine.

This page is educational and does not replace advice from a doctor or pharmacist who knows your health history.