Tacrine

Tacrine is a prescription medicine that is used for treating mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease. It works by preventing a specific enzyme from breaking down acetylcholine (a chemical) in the brain. Tacrine capsules can help slow the decline of cognitive function, but it is not a cure for Alzheimer's. Potential side effects of tacrine include nausea, diarrhea, dizziness, and high liver enzymes.

 

What Is Tacrine?

Tacrine hydrochloride (Cognex®) is a prescription medication approved to treat mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease. Although tacrine is not a cure for Alzheimer's disease, it can help slow the worsening of Alzheimer's symptoms (and may even temporarily improve such symptoms).
 
(Click What Is Tacrine Used For? for more information, including possible off-label uses.)
 

Tacrine Side Effects

As with any medicine, side effects are possible with tacrine. 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 tacrine include, but are not limited to:
 
  • High liver enzymes
  • Nausea with or without vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Dizziness.
     
(Click Side Effects of Tacrine to learn more, including potentially serious side effects that you should report immediately to your healthcare provider.)
 
(Tacrine Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;