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|Galantamine

Galantamine

Galantamine is used for:

Treating mild to moderate impairment of memory, judgment, and abstract thinking as well as changes in personality caused by Alzheimer disease.

Galantamine is a cholinesterase inhibitor. It works by increasing the amount of a chemical in the brain thought to have a role in Alzheimer disease.

Do NOT use Galantamine if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Galantamine

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Galantamine :

Some medical conditions may interact with Galantamine . 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 or other substances
• if you have lung, liver, kidney, urinary, or intestinal problems
• if you have a slow or irregular heartbeat, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), epilepsy, increased pressure in your head, a lesion in your head, an ulcer, have had anesthesia, asthma, or have suffered from head trauma

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Galantamine . Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Quinidine because the effectiveness of Galantamine may be decreased
• Ketoconazole, serotonin reuptake inhibitors (eg, fluoxetine), or tricyclic antidepressants (eg, amitriptyline) because the actions and side effects of Galantamine may be increased

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Galantamine 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 :

Use Galantamine as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Take Galantamine twice a day, with morning and evening meals, unless otherwise directed by your doctor.
• Drink plenty of fluids while taking Galantamine .
• Take Galantamine regularly for best results. Taking your dose at the same times each day will help you to remember.
• If you miss a dose of Galantamine , 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 . You 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 .

Important safety information:

• Galantamine may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting. Alcohol, hot weather, exercise, and fever can increase these effects. To prevent them, sit up or stand slowly, especially in the morning. Also, sit or lie down at the first sign of dizziness, lightheadedness, or weakness.
• Before you have any medical or dental treatments, emergency care, or surgery, tell you doctor or dentist that you are using Galantamine .
• LAB TESTS may be performed to monitor your progress. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
• Galantamine is not recommended for use in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness have not been established.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you are pregnant or planning on becoming pregnant discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using Galantamine during pregnancy. It is unknown if Galantamine is excreted in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Galantamine .

Possible side effects of Galantamine :

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:

Depression; diarrhea; dizziness; drowsiness; headache; indigestion; lightheadedness; loss of appetite; nausea; runny nose; sleeplessness; stomach pain; stomach upset; tiredness; urinary tract infection; vomiting; weight loss.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); blood in the stool; fainting; seizures; slow heartbeat; tremor.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions or need medical advice about side effects, contact your doctor or health care provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088) or at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org/findyour.htm), or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include: convulsions; fainting; loss of consciousness; muscle weakness or twitching; severe dizziness; severe nausea; severe stomach cramping; slow, fast, or irregular heartbeat; slow or shallow breathing.

Store Galantamine at room temperature between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Galantamine out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Galantamine , please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Galantamine is 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.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Galantamine . 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.