Galantamine
About Galantamine
Galantamine belongs to a group of medicines called anti-dementia agents used to treat mild to moderate dementia caused by Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimer's disease is a neurological disorder, which causes dementia (memory loss), and slowly destroys the ability to think, learn, communicate, and handling daily activities. Dementia is a condition characterised by impairment in memory, communication, and thinking.
Galantamine contains Galantamine, which belongs to the class of Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors. Galantamine blocks the action of the enzyme cholinesterase, an enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine. Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter or a chemical messenger that transmits the message from one nerve cell to another nerve cell, muscle cell, or gland cell. Galantamine thus increases acetylcholine levels, allowing the nerve cells to communicate. It restores the balance of neurotransmitters, thereby improving mental function, including memory and cognitive thinking.
Your doctor will determine the dose and duration based on the severity of your disease and your response to treatment. Common side effects of Galantamine include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, headache, dizziness, drowsiness, shakiness (tremor), weakness, depression, and loss of appetite. These side effects are not familiar to everyone and vary from person to person. If you notice any side effects that are not manageable, please consult your doctor.
Please inform your doctor if you are allergic to Galantamine or any of its components. If you are taking any prescription or non-prescription medications, please inform your doctor beforehand before starting Galantamine. Inform your doctor beforehand if you have a history of liver or kidney diseases, heart problems, electrolyte imbalance, stomach ulcer, fits, Parkinson's disease, breathing disorders, and urination problems. If you have had recent surgery on your stomach, intestines, or bladder, please inform your doctor. If you are pregnant, planning to conceive or a breastfeeding mother, inform your doctor before starting Galantamine. Avoid consuming alcohol along with Galantamine as it can make you dizzy or drowsy.
Uses of Galantamine
Medicinal Benefits
Galantamine treats mild to moderate dementia caused by Alzheimer's disease. It contains Galantamine, an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor. Galantamine increases acetylcholine (a brain chemical) levels in the central nervous system by blocking the action of the cholinesterase enzyme. This process helps transmit nerve signals that play a crucial role in memory. Galantamine is not a cure for Alzheimer's disease, but it improves memory, thinking, awareness, and the ability to perform daily functions.
Directions for Use
• Galantamine can be taken preferably with food or as advised by your doctor.
• Follow your doctor's instructions on the dosage and timing of this medication to ensure safe and effective use.
• Swallow it as a whole with a glass of water.
• Do not break, crush or chew it.
Storage
Side Effects of Galantamine
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Shakiness (tremor)
- Weakness
- Loss of appetite
- Diarrhoea
- Headache
- Depression
Drug Warnings
Brief your medical history if you have any liver or kidney diseases, heart problems (chest discomfort, sick sinus syndrome, heart attack, heart failure, and slow or uneven heartbeat), electrolyte imbalance (potassium), stomach ulcer, fits, Parkinson’s disease, breathing problems (asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)), and urination problems. If you have had recent surgery on your stomach, intestines, or bladder, please inform your doctor. Please consult your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to conceive or a breastfeeding mother before starting Galantamine. Avoid consuming alcohol along with Galantamine as it might lead to increased side effects like dizziness and drowsiness. Avoid driving or operating machinery, as Galantamine may decrease your mental alertness, causing you to feel dizzy or drowsy. Galantamine is not recommended for children under 18 years of age, as the safety and effectiveness have not been established.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Galantamine may interact with other Alzheimer treating medicines (donepezil, rivastigmine), heart-related drugs (digoxin, quinidine), drugs treating frequent urination (darifenacin), respiratory drugs (diphenhydramine, ipratropium), pain killers (aspirin, naproxen), urinary retention medicine (bethanechol), vomiting medicine (scopolamine), anti-depressants (fluoxetine), antifungals (ketoconazole), high blood pressure medicine (metoprolol), antibiotics (erythromycin), HIV/AIDS drugs (ritonavir), drugs used for muscle weakness (neostigmine) and drugs treating dry mouth (pilocarpine).
Drug-Food Interactions: Do not consume alcohol while taking Galantamine as it could lead to increased dizziness and drowsiness.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Before using Galantamine, let your doctor know if you have any liver or kidney diseases, heart problems (chest discomfort, sick sinus syndrome, heart attack, heart failure, and slow or uneven heartbeat), electrolyte imbalance (potassium), stomach ulcer, fits, Parkinson’s disease, breathing problems (asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)) and urination problems.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionIt is advised to limit alcohol consumption while taking Galantamine. Alcohol intake, along with Galantamine, may cause increased dizziness and drowsiness.
Pregnancy
cautionGalantamine should be used during pregnancy only if the benefit outweighs the risks. Please consult your doctor before taking Galantamine if you are pregnant or planning to conceive.
Breast Feeding
cautionIt is not known if Galantamine is excreted into breast milk. Please consult your doctor before taking Galantamine if you are a breastfeeding mother.
Driving
cautionGalantamine may cause dizziness or drowsiness. Do not drive if you are not mentally alert or experience any symptoms that affect your ability to drive or operate machinery.
Liver
cautionGalantamine should be used with caution if you have liver impairment/liver disease. Please consult your doctor before using Galantamine.
Kidney
cautionGalantamine should be used with caution if you have kidney impairment/ kidney disease. Please consult your doctor before using Galantamine.
Children
unsafeGalantamine is not recommended in people below 18 years of age. Please consult the doctor if you have any concerns.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Maintain proper weight by following a healthy diet.
- Exercise regularly, as it helps reduce cognitive decline and brain volume loss.
- Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption.
- Try to avoid stress by practising meditation or yoga.
- Include fruits and vegetables in your diet as they contain antioxidants.
- Eat nutritious food, as it helps stimulate cognitive function.
- Limit foods with high cholesterol and saturated fats.
- Cut down on sugar, salt and processed foods.
- Drink plenty of water.
- Follow a healthy lifestyle, as it helps improve overall health and may protect the brain.
Special Advise
- Let your doctor know that you are taking Galantamine if you are undergoing any medical tests.
- It is advised to monitor your blood pressure and blood sugar levels regularly.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Alzheimer's disease: The disease is named after Dr Alois Alzheimer, who was the first to discover the disease. Alzheimer's disease is a neurological disorder that causes dementia (memory loss), and slowly destroys the ability to think, learn, communicate, and eventually, the ability to handle daily activities. It is the most common cause of dementia (memory loss) in adults.
Dementia is the loss of cognitive functioning, such as remembering, thinking, and reasoning. The causes of this disease are abnormal functioning of brain cells which cause a disturbance in communication between them. The risk factors are age, family history and genetics of a person. Alzheimer's disease symptoms include memory loss, trouble with familiar tasks, difficulties with problem-solving, trouble with writing or talking, disorientation, problems with reasoning or judgment, mood and personality changes. In most people, the symptoms of Alzheimer's appear in their mid-60's.
FAQs
Galantamine is used to manage symptoms of mild to moderate dementia associated with Alzheimer's disease, helping improve cognitive function and daily life activities.
Galantamine contains Galantamine, an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor. It treats dementia in Alzheimer's disease by increasing acetylcholine levels in the central nervous system and enhancing the neurotransmission process. Thus, Galantamine improves memory, thinking, and awareness.
Galantamine should be used with caution in the medical history of liver or kidney diseases, heart problems (chest discomfort, heart attack, heart failure, and slow or uneven heartbeat), electrolyte imbalance (potassium), stomach ulcer, fits, Parkinson's disease, breathing problems (asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)), and urination problems. Please inform your doctor of any other medical conditions you may have before starting Galantamine.
Store Galantamine in a dry place at a temperature of 20°C to 25°C. Do not store in the freezer.
Your doctor will decide the dose and duration of Galantamine based on your medical condition. However, if you notice unusual side effects like fits, depression, irregular heartbeat, bloody stools, and severe abdominal pain or any other symptoms, stop using Galantamine and please consult your doctor.
No, Galantamine is not an anti-psychotic. Galantamine contains Galantamine, which belongs to the class of drugs called acetylcholinesterase inhibitors.
An overdose of Galantamine may cause muscle weakness, severe nausea, vomiting, shakiness (tremors), slow heartbeat, fits and loss of consciousness. If you think you have taken an overdose of Galantamine or experience these symptoms, please consult a doctor immediately.
Galantamine may cause side effects such as vomiting, nausea, weight loss, diarrhoea, weakness and headache. To reduce the impact of these side effects, you are advised to drink more fluids while on treatment with Galantamine.
Yes, Galantamine affect the weight of patient with Alzheimer’s disease. It can cause weight-loss in the patients. So, in patients taking Galantamine, weight should be monitored. However, consult a doctor if the condition worsens.
Yes, Galantamine can affect the heart, causing decrease in the heart rate. Other uncommon side effects include irregular heartbeat, and other types of cardiac arrhythmias.
Galantamine can increase the blood pressure as a common side effect. It can also decrease the blood pressure which is uncommon. Therefore, blood pressure should be monitored regularly for a hypertensive (high blood pressure) patient.
If you have to undergo surgery inform your doctor in beforehand about Galantamine. So, the doctor will guide you whether you should continue taking Galantamine or stop the intake of the medication if needed.
No, you cannot stop taking Galantamine even if you feel better. Complete the full course of treatment prescribed by your doctor. The symptoms may occur again before it is completely cured.
Dementia is the loss of functioning such as memory, thinking, remembering, and reasoning. The cause of the dementia is abnormal functioning of brain cells, which cause a disturbance in the communication between them.
No, paroxetine cannot be taken with Galantamine. It may interfere with the way Galantamine works and increases its levels in the body. This interaction can cause nausea and vomiting. However, please consult your doctor before taking other medicines with Galantamine.
The common side effects of Galantamine include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, headache, dizziness, drowsiness, shakiness (tremor), weakness, depression, and loss of appetite. These side effects are not familiar to everyone and vary from person to person. If you notice any side effects that are not manageable, please consult your doctor.
