• Basic Info
• Top Questions
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What is galantamine?
Galantamine improves the function of nerve cells in the brain. It works by preventing the breakdown of a chemical called acetylcholine (ah see til KO leen). People with dementia usually have lower levels of this chemical, which is important for the processes of memory, thinking, and reasoning. Galantamine is used to treat mild to moderate dementia caused by Alzheimer's disease. Galantamine may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

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What is the price of this medication and similar alternatives?

This pricing information is subject to change at the sole discretion of DS Pharmacy. For the most current and up-to-date pricing information, please visit drugstore.com.

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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:

• feeling tired, dizzy, or light-headed;

• nausea, vomiting, gas, loss of appetite;

• weight loss; or

• headache.

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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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.

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What is the most important information I should know about galantamine?
Before taking galantamine, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have urination problems, heart disease, a heart rhythm disorder, stomach ulcers or bleeding, a seizure disorder, kidney disease, liver disease, or asthma. Stop using galantamine and call your doctor at once if you have chest pain, slow heart rate, blood in your stools, coughing up blood, decreased urination, weakness, confusion, extreme thirst, or hot, dry skin. There are many other medicines that can interact with galantamine. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

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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.

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What other drugs will affect galantamine?
Before taking galantamine, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs: atropine (Donnatal, and others); belladonna; clidinium (Quarzan); dicyclomine (Bentyl); glycopyrrolate (Robinul); hyoscyamine (Anaspaz, Cystospaz, Levsin, and others); ketoconazole (Nizoral); mepenzolate (Cantil); methantheline (Provocholine); methscopolamine (Pamine); paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva); propantheline (Pro-Banthine); or scopolamine (Transderm-Scop). This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with galantamine. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

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Can I take this if I am pregnant or trying to get pregnant or if I am breastfeeding?

Galantamine has been assigned to pregnancy category B by the FDA. Animal studies have revealed evidence of a slightly increased incidence of skeletal variations. There are no controlled data in human pregnancy. Galantamine should only be given during pregnancy when benefits outweigh risks.

There are no data on the excretion of galantamine into human milk.

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Who should NOT use this medication?

• Known hypersensitivity to galantamine or any ingredient in the formulation.

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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).

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What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking galantamine?
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to galantamine. Before taking galantamine, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have: urination problems; heart disease or a heart rhythm disorder; a history of stomach ulcer or bleeding; seizures or epilepsy; kidney disease; liver disease; or a history of asthma or obstructive pulmonary disease. If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take galantamine. FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

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Can I stop taking the medication if I feel better?
As a general rule, you should always take your medications exactly as prescribed and do not change the dosage or stop taking the medication without first discussing it with your healthcare provider.

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I am on so many medications; do I have to take them all?
This is called polypharmacy—many different medications being used at the same time by one person. Sometimes, being on multiple medications is acceptable and appropriate but at other times it may be problematic. If you are receiving your medications from multiple physicians you need to ensure that they all know what medications you are taking. The best way to do this is to make a list of all the medications you are currently using, including all nutritional supplements, homeopathic remedies, vitamins and over-the-counter drugs (if possible, also include all the diseases you have been diagnosed with). Give a copy to every doctor who takes care of you so they have it on file, this way they can avoid duplicating medications and perhaps even try to consolidate some. After every doctor's visit remember to update the list accordingly. Also, as much as you possibly can, try to use the same pharmacy to fill all your prescriptions, this way any potential drug interactions can be caught and averted.

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Where can I get more information?
More Information

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