Tacrine (Systemic)

Brand Names : Cognex, THA, tetrahydroaminoacridine

Category

• Dementia symptoms treatment adjunct

Description

Tacrine (TAK-reen) is used to treat the symptoms of mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease. Tacrine will not cure Alzheimer's disease, and it will not stop the disease from getting worse. However, tacrine can improve thinking ability in some patients with Alzheimer's disease.

In Alzheimer's disease, many chemical changes take place in the brain. One of the earliest and biggest changes is that there is less of a chemical messenger called acetylcholine (ACh). ACh helps the brain to work properly. Tacrine slows the breakdown of ACh, so it can build up and have a greater effect. However, as Alzheimer's disease gets worse, there will be less and less ACh, so tacrine may not work as well.

Tacrine may cause liver problems. While taking this medicine, you must have blood tests regularly to see if the medicine is affecting your liver.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription, in the following dosage form:

Oral
• Capsules (U.S.)

Brand Names

Some commonly used brand names are:

In the U.S. -

• Cognex

Other commonly used names are THA and tetrahydroaminoacridine .

† Not commercially available in Canada.