Reminyl

Yes

The most frequent side effects seen with galantamine are:

• nausea,
• vomiting,
• diarrhea, and
• anorexia (weight loss).

These side effects generally occur during the beginning of treatment or when the dose is increased. These side effects typically are mild and temporary. Taking galantamine with food and ensuring adequate fluid intake may reduce the impact of these side effects.

Other important side effects include:

• headache,
• abdominal pain,
• fatigue,
• slow heart rate,
• depression,
• sleepiness and
• fainting.

Galantamine is a prescription medication used to treat the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. Galantamine belongs to a group of drugs called acetylcholinesterase inhibitors. These work by stopping a specific enzyme from breaking down acetylcholine in the brain.

This medication comes as a tablet, extended-release (long-acting) capsule, and oral (by mouth) solution. The tablets and oral solution are usually taken twice a day, with the morning and evening meals. The extended-release capsule is taken once a day in the morning with food.

Common side effects of galantamine include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Galantamine can also cause dizziness. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how galantamine affects you.

Galantamine is a prescription medication used to treat mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease, a disease that impairs memory and the ability to think and perform daily activities. 

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

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Serious side effects have been reported with galantamine. See the "Galantamine Drug Precautions" section.

Common side effects of galantamine include the following:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Dizziness
• Diarrhea
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss
• Tiredness
• Headache
• Stomach upset
• Decreased heart rate
• Uncontrollable shaking in a part of your body
• Depression

This is not a complete list of galantamine side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

• Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Very bad dizziness or passing out.
• Slow heartbeat.
• A heartbeat that does not feel normal.
• Black, tarry, or bloody stools.
• Throwing up blood or throw up that looks like coffee grounds.
• Trouble passing urine.
• Seizures.
• Very upset stomach or throwing up.
• Very loose stools (diarrhea).
• A big weight loss.
• Shakiness.
• A very bad skin reaction (Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis) may happen. It can cause very bad health problems that may not go away, and sometimes death. Get medical help right away if you have signs like red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin (with or without fever); red or irritated eyes; or sores in your mouth, throat, nose, or eyes.

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

• Dizziness.
• Headache.
• Upset stomach or throwing up.
• Loose stools (diarrhea).
• Not hungry.
• Weight loss.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may also report side effects at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

• If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor.
• Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else's drugs.
• Keep a list of all your drugs (prescription, natural products, vitamins, OTC) with you. Give this list to your doctor.
• Talk with the doctor before starting any new drug, including prescription or OTC, natural products, or vitamins.
• Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. Check with your pharmacist. If you have any questions about Reminyl, please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

This information should not be used to decide whether or not to take this medicine or any other medicine. Only the healthcare provider has the knowledge and training to decide which medicines are right for a specific patient. This information does not endorse any medicine as safe, effective, or approved for treating any patient or health condition. This is only a brief summary of general information about Reminyl. It does NOT include all information about the possible uses, directions, warnings, precautions, interactions, adverse effects, or risks that may apply to this medicine. This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from the healthcare provider. You must talk with the healthcare provider for complete information about the risks and benefits of using Reminyl (galantamine tablets).

Review Date: October 4, 2017