Tacrine has been evaluated for
Alzheimer's disease in several different studies. These studies showed that people taking tacrine often had a slower rate of decline in cognitive function ("thinking" functions, such as memory, language, and social interaction), compared to people taking a placebo (a "sugar pill" with no active ingredients). In general, a slight improvement was initially seen, followed by a return to a decline in cognitive function, although this decline was slower in those taking tacrine, compared to those taking a placebo.
When and How to Take Tacrine
General considerations for when and how to take tacrine include the following:
- Tacrine comes in capsule form. It is usually taken by mouth four times daily.
- It is best to take tacrine on an empty stomach (between meals), since food can decrease the absorption of tacrine into the body. However, if the drug bothers your stomach, talk with your healthcare provider about taking it with food (which may help with stomach upset).
- Be sure to take tacrine at the same times each day to maintain an even level of the medication in your blood.
- For the medication to work properly, it must be taken as prescribed. Tacrine will not work if you stop taking it.
Dosing Information for Tacrine
The dose of tacrine that your healthcare provider recommends will vary depending on a number of factors, including:
- Whether you develop high liver enzymes due to tacrine
- Other medications you may take
- Other medical conditions you may have.
As is always the case, do not adjust your tacrine dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
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