Galantamine

Galantamine is a medication licensed for the treatment of mild to moderate dementia caused by Alzheimer's disease. By preventing the breakdown of a certain chemical in the brain, the drug can help improve memory, reason, attention, language, and the ability to perform simple daily tasks. Galantamine, which is available by prescription, comes in long-acting capsule form and short-acting tablet and liquid form.

 

What Is Galantamine?

Galantamine hydrobromide (Razadyne®) is a prescription medication approved to treat mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease. Although the drug is not a cure for Alzheimer's disease, it can help with some of the symptoms of Alzheimer's. Galantamine is available in two forms, short-acting and long-acting.
 
Galantamine was originally sold under the name "Reminyl®," but the name was changed after several instances of confusion with a similar-sounding medication.
 
(Click What Is Galantamine Used For? for more information, including possible off-label uses.)
 

Galantamine Side Effects

As with any medicine, side effects are possible with galantamine. However, not everyone who takes the drug will experience side effects. In fact, many people tolerate it quite well. If side effects do occur, they are often minor and either require no treatment or can easily be treated by you or your healthcare provider.
 
Common side effects of galantamine include, but are not limited to:
 
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Loss of appetite
  • Weight loss.
     
(Click Side Effects of Galantamine to learn more, including potentially serious side effects that you should report immediately to your healthcare provider.)
 
(Galantamine Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;