Galantamine (Systemic)

Brand Names : Reminyl

Before Using This Medicine

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For galantamine the following should be considered:

Allergies - Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to galantamine. Also tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy - Galantamine has not been studied in pregnant women. Galantamine has been shown to cause birth defects or other problems in animal studies.

Breast-feeding - It is not known whether galantamine passes into breast milk. Mothers who are taking this medicine and who wish to breast-feed should discuss this with their doctor. Use in breast-feeding mothers is not indicated.

Children - Studies on this medicine have been done only in adult patients, and there is no specific information comparing use of galantamine in children with use in other age groups. Use in children is not recommended.

Older adults - Galantamine levels are higher in older adults than in healthy young subjects.

Other medicines - Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your health care professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.�

Other medical problems - The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of galantamine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Asthma (or history of) or

• Heart problems, including slow heartbeat or heart block (slow and irregular heartbeat), or

• Stomach ulcer (or history of) or
• Urinary tract blockage or difficult urination - Galantamine may make these conditions worse
• Epilepsy or history of seizures - Galantamine may cause seizures