Pronunciation: gal-AN-ta-meen
Generic Name: Galantamine
Brand Name: Razadyne ER
Galantamine Extended-Release Capsules are used for:
Treating mild to moderate dementia (eg, impairment of memory or judgement, abstract thinking, changes in personality) in patients with Alzheimer disease.
Galantamine Extended-Release Capsules are a cholinesterase inhibitor. It works by increasing the amount of a certain substance (acetylcholine) in the brain, which may help reduce symptoms of dementia in patients with Alzheimer disease.
Do NOT use Galantamine Extended-Release Capsules if:
- you are allergic to any ingredient in Galantamine Extended-Release Capsules
- you have severely decreased liver or kidney function
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Before using Galantamine Extended-Release Capsules:
Some medical conditions may interact with Galantamine Extended-Release Capsules. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
- if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
- if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
- if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
- if you have a history of liver or kidney problems, certain heart problems (eg, slow or irregular heartbeat, sick sinus syndrome), stomach or bowel problems (eg, ulcer, blockage), lung or breathing problems (eg, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD]), or urinary blockage
- if you have brain lesions or tumors, increased pressure in the brain, recent head injury, or a history of seizures (eg, epilepsy)
- if you have dementia or other decreased mental ability that is not caused by Alzheimer disease
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Galantamine Extended-Release Capsules. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (eg, ibuprofen) because the risk of stomach or bowel bleeding may be increased
- Cholinergic agents (eg, bethanechol), cholinesterase inhibitors (eg, donepezil), ketoconazole, or serotonin specific reuptake inhibitors (eg, paroxetine) because they may increase the risk of Galantamine Extended-Release Capsules's side effects
- Anticholinergics (eg, scopolamine) because their effectiveness may be decreased by Galantamine Extended-Release Capsules
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Galantamine Extended-Release Capsules may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
How to use Galantamine Extended-Release Capsules:
Use Galantamine Extended-Release Capsules as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
- Take Galantamine Extended-Release Capsules by mouth in the morning, unless your doctor tells you otherwise. You may take it with or without food, but taking it with food is recommended.
- Swallow Galantamine Extended-Release Capsules whole. Do not break, crush, or chew before swallowing.
- Drinking extra fluids while you are taking Galantamine Extended-Release Capsules are recommended. Check with your doctor for instructions.
- Take Galantamine Extended-Release Capsules on a regular schedule to get the most benefit from it.
- Taking Galantamine Extended-Release Capsules at the same time each day will help you remember to take it.
- Continue to take Galantamine Extended-Release Capsules even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses.
- If you miss a dose of Galantamine Extended-Release Capsules, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once. Contact your doctor if you miss several doses of Galantamine Extended-Release Capsules. Your doctor may need to restart your medicine at a lower dose to avoid side effects.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Galantamine Extended-Release Capsules.
Important safety information:
- Galantamine Extended-Release Capsules may cause dizziness, drowsiness, or fainting. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Galantamine Extended-Release Capsules with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
- Do not take more than the recommended dose without checking with your doctor.
- When you begin taking Galantamine Extended-Release Capsules, your doctor will increase your dose slowly over several months. This may help to decrease the risk of certain side effects (eg, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea). Carefully follow the dosing schedule prescribed by your doctor.
- Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Galantamine Extended-Release Capsules before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.
- Galantamine Extended-Release Capsules should not be used in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.
- PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Galantamine Extended-Release Capsules while you are pregnant. It is not known if Galantamine Extended-Release Capsules are found in breast milk. Galantamine Extended-Release Capsules are not approved for use in women who may be breast-feeding.
Possible side effects of Galantamine Extended-Release Capsules:
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
Diarrhea; dizziness; headache; loss of appetite; nausea; stomach upset; tiredness; vomiting; weight loss.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); bloody, black, or tarry stools; chest pain; decreased urination; depression; fainting; fever; seizures; severe or persistent tiredness or weakness; slow or irregular heartbeat; tremor.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.
See also: Galantamine side effects (in more detail)
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include fainting; increased sweating or saliva production; loss of bowel control; loss of consciousness; muscle weakness; seizures; severe dizziness; severe nausea or vomiting; slow heartbeat; slow or shallow breathing; stomach cramping.
Proper storage of Galantamine Extended-Release Capsules:
Store Galantamine Extended-Release Capsules at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C). Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Galantamine Extended-Release Capsules out of the reach of children and away from pets.
General information:
- If you have any questions about Galantamine Extended-Release Capsules, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- Galantamine Extended-Release Capsules are to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
- If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
- Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.
This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Galantamine Extended-Release Capsules. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
More Galantamine resources
- Galantamine Side Effects (in more detail)
- Galantamine Dosage
- Galantamine Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Drug Images
- Galantamine Drug Interactions
- Galantamine Support Group
- 5 Reviews for Galantamine - Add your own review/rating
Compare Galantamine with other medications
- Alzheimer's Disease
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