What Is Tacrine Used For?

Tacrine is used for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. It is a prescription drug that can help improve memory, attention, reason, language, and the ability to perform simple daily tasks in people with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease. Tacrine can occasionally be used off-label for treating other conditions as well. Off-label tacrine uses may include the treatment of ADHD and Tourette syndrome.

 

An Overview of Tacrine Uses

Tacrine hydrochloride (Cognex®) is a prescription medication approved for the treatment of mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease. It belongs to a group of medications known as acetylcholinesterase inhibitors.
 
Alzheimer's disease is a type of dementia that affects a person's thought process, memory, and language. There is no cure for Alzheimer's disease, and the causes of Alzheimer's disease are not well understood. Early signs of Alzheimer's disease are often confused with normal age-related changes. Eventually, Alzheimer's disease destroys a person's ability to think, process information, and function.
 
Common symptoms of Alzheimer's disease may include:
 
  • Confusion
  • Deterioration of language skills
  • Memory loss
  • Poor judgment
  • Impaired ability to understand visual information
  • Mood swings
  • Restlessness.
     
The recommended Alzheimer's treatment varies depending on the different stages of Alzheimer's. Alzheimer's disease medications are usually central to the treatment of Alzheimer's. Tacrine has been approved for the treatment of mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease. Tacrine is not a cure for Alzheimer's, nor does it alter the course of the disease or prevent Alzheimer's from occurring. It can, however, help improve memory, attention, reason, language, and the ability to perform simple daily tasks.
 
(What Is Tacrine Used For? Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;