Key takeaways:
Galantamine is FDA approved to help with symptoms of mild to moderate Alzheimer’s dementia. It has several side effects to consider.
Most galantamine side effects are temporary and get better over time. The most common ones include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Some people also notice headaches or dizziness.
Serious galantamine side effects include severe skin reactions, stomach ulcers, and seizures, but these are rare.
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia — a general term for declining memory and thinking ability. Getting support early can improve the quality of life for people living with Alzheimer’s dementia, as well as their loved ones. Galantamine is one treatment option that might be recommended.
Galantamine belongs to a group of medications called cholinesterase inhibitors. They’re first-choice medications for managing mild to moderate Alzheimer’s symptoms. They work by raising levels of acetylcholine — a chemical that plays a role in memory and thinking.
As with many medications, galantamine can sometimes cause unwanted effects. Here, we’ll discuss 10 galantamine side effects and how to manage them.
Nausea is the most common galantamine side effect. In fact, this happened to about 20% of people taking it during initial clinical studies. And about 10% of people experienced vomiting.
The good news is nausea and vomiting usually go away within a week after starting galantamine or raising your dose. In the meantime, there are things you or your loved one can do to make galantaime easier on the stomach, such as:
Take your doses with food, preferably a full meal.
While your body is adjusting to the medication, consider avoiding spicy and high-fat foods that can make nausea worse.
Drink plenty of fluids. Keep in mind, staying well hydrated is a good idea for everyone taking galantamine, even if it doesn’t seem to bother your stomach.
Try eating smaller, more frequent meals.
If you find that you still can’t tolerate galantamine after following these tips, reach out to your healthcare provider. They may suggest a lower dose or slower dose increase. In some cases, they may recommend a different medication, such as donepezil patches (Adlarity). It works similarly to galantamine, but comes in a patch form that has fewer stomach-related side effects.
Higher levels of acetylcholine can help with dementia symptoms. But the change can also cause food to move through your digestive system faster — sometimes too quickly. About 7% of people taking galantamine reported diarrhea in early clinical trials.
Here are a few tips to help manage diarrhea:
Avoid high-fat and high-fiber foods. Eating a bland diet for short periods of time may be easier on your digestive system.
Be mindful of fluids to avoid dehydration.
Ask your pharmacist about taking over-the-counter (OTC) diarrhea medications, such as loperamide (Imodium A-D). Keep in mind these medications are meant for short-term use only.
Prolonged diarrhea can be serious. Get medical care if diarrhea continues for more than a few days. If your healthcare provider thinks your diarrhea is caused by galantamine, they may suggest a lower dose.
Dizziness is a possible galantamine side effect. But it’s less common than those discussed above. Feelings of dizziness should become less noticeable as you get used to the medication.
Be extra careful when you first start galantamine — or after a dose increase. Make sure you or your loved one has support nearby when getting up from a seated position. And go slow.
Dizziness raises the risk of falling. And people living with dementia are generally more prone to falls. In fact, their risk for falls is 2 to 3 times higher than older adults without dementia. It’s a good idea to discuss fall prevention measures with you or your loved one’s healthcare provider.
Keep your provider in the loop if dizziness continues to be an issue. They may need to adjust your galantamine dose or consider other causes. In rare cases, dizziness can also be a symptom of heartbeat problems, a serious side effect of galantamine.
Many medications can cause headaches. And galantamine is no exception. Often, headaches get better over time. But there are things you can do at home to help relieve them.
For mild headaches, start by making sure you’re well hydrated and getting enough rest. Taking an OTC pain reliever can also help provide short-term relief. But before you take one be sure to discuss which would be best for you with your healthcare provider or pharmacist.
If you have severe headaches, or milder ones that don’t seem to go away, tell your provider. They can help you figure out the cause and discuss how best to manage them.
Eating issues are a common problem for people living with Alzheimer’s disease. And for some people taking galantamine, meals might become more of a challenge. A decreased appetite is a common galantamine side effect.
Let your healthcare provider know if you notice a drop off in your or your loved one’s appetite after starting galantamine. They can offer options based on your individual nutritional needs.
In about 5% of people taking galantamine, weight loss was reported in initial studies. Keep in mind, dementia on its own can cause weight loss. In addition to a decreased appetite, people with dementia might also burn more calories.
Body weight should be checked periodically at follow-up appointments with your healthcare provider after starting galantamine. If you notice a significant drop in weight or the amount of food you’re eating, let your provider know. They might recommend a galantamine dose change or suggest nutritional supplements. They may also get you in touch with a dietician who can help you come up with a dietary plan to meet your nutritional needs.
Serious (but rare) skin reactions have been reported with galantamine. Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) is one example. Symptoms of SJS include a blistering rash and flu-like symptoms.
To be safe, contact your healthcare provider at the first sign of any rash while taking galantamine. They may want to see you in person to evaluate it. They can help you figure out the cause and make sure it’s safe for you to continue taking galantamine.
Galantamine can cause your heartbeat to be slower than usual, but this is rare. Fainting and heart block (electrical signal problems in the heart) have also been reported. Until you know how galantamine might affect you, take precautions to stop falls from happening. Let your healthcare provider know right away if you notice a drop in your heart rate or have any fainting spells.
A link between galantamine and stomach ulcers wasn’t found in clinical trials. That being said, galantamine can increase the amount of acid in your stomach. So if you have a higher risk for stomach ulcers, it’s possible galantamine might add to this risk.
Your risk for stomach ulcers is higher if you’ve had them before or take medications that can cause ulcers, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin). If you notice any stomach pain or blood in your stool (which may look black or tarry), contact your healthcare provider right away.
Seizures have been reported in people taking galantamine. But seizures are also more common in people with Alzheimer's disease. Current research hasn’t found a link between galantamine and seizures. But it hasn’t been completely ruled out.
To keep you safe, discuss how to recognize a seizure with your (or your loved one’s) healthcare provider. Knowing what to look for and what to do if a seizure happens is important. You should always call 911 at the first sign of any seizure.
Common galantamine side effects typically aren’t serious and improve with time. If you’re having trouble taking your galantamine doses for any reason, let your healthcare provider know.
Contact your healthcare provider if you notice any of the following symptoms of a serious galantamine side effect:
Weight loss or trouble eating
New skin rash
Diarrhea lasting more than 2 days
Blood in your poop (may look black and tarry)
Chest pain, severe dizziness, or fainting
Common galantamine side effects include nausea, diarrhea, and headaches. Dizziness and a decreased appetite are also possible. Rare but serious galantamine side effects include stomach ulcers, skin reactions, and seizures. Common side effects generally improve after your body adjusts to the medication.
To protect you or a loved one, be extra watchful for falls after starting galantamine. It’s also recommended for healthcare providers to monitor body weight while you’re taking galantamine. Keep your provider in the loop about any side effects that continue or are especially bothersome. They might suggest a lower galantamine dose to help.
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