How should I take galantamine?
Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in
larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on
your prescription label.
Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from
this medication.
Galantamine is usually taken once or twice a day with a meal. You may also take the
medication without food. Follow your doctor's instructions.
Do not crush, chew, break, or open an extended-release capsule. Swallow the pill
whole. It is specially made to release medicine slowly in the body. Breaking or opening the pill
would cause too much of the drug to be released at one time.
Take the capsule or tablet with a full
glass of
water. Drink 6 to 8 full glasses of water
each day to keep from getting dehydrated while taking galantamine.
The liquid form of this medication comes with patient instructions for safe and effective
use. Follow these directions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
Measure the liquid using only the special dose-measuring device provided. Empty the
medicine into 3 to 4 ounces of any non-alcoholic beverage. Stir this mixture and drink all of it
right away. Rinse the dose-measuring device with water after each use.
If you need to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are taking
galantamine. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.
If you have stopped taking galantamine for any reason, talk with your doctor before
you start taking it again. You may need to restart the medication at a lower dose.
Store galantamine at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Do not allow
the liquid medicine to freeze.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose,
skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this
medicine.
Overdose symptoms may include severe nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, muscle
weakness or spasm, watery eyes, drooling, increased urination or bowel movements, sweating,
slow heart rate, feeling light-headed or fainting, and seizure (convulsions).
What should I avoid while taking galantamine?
Galantamine can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be
careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.
What are the possible side effects of galantamine?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic
reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using galantamine and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious
side effects:
-
chest pain, slow heart rate;
-
black, bloody, or tarry stools;
-
coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds;
-
weakness, confusion, decreased sweating, extreme thirst,
hot dry skin; or
-
urinating less than usual or not at all.
Less serious side effects may include:
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell
your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect.
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