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Galantamine Coupon - Galantamine 4mg tablet

galantamine

Generic Razadyne
Used for Alzheimer's Disease
Used for Alzheimer's Disease

Galantamine is an oral medication used for mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease. It belongs to a drug class called acetylcholinesterase inhibitors. This medication is available as a tablet, oral solution, and extended-release (ER) capsule that you take by mouth. The dosage depends on which form you're taking. Nausea, headache, and dizziness are common side effects of galantamine.

Reviewed by:
reviewer
Hope Chang, PharmD, AAHIVP
reviewer
Kristianne Hannemann, PharmD
Last reviewed on June 6, 2023
BasicsSide effectsPros & consPharmacist tipsFAQsWarningsDosageInteractionsCostAlternativesLatest newsImagesReferencesPricesMedicare
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What is Galantamine?

What is Galantamine used for?

  • Mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD)

How Galantamine works

It's not known exactly what causes Alzheimer's disease. But, researchers suggest that people with Alzheimer's might have less acetylcholine activity in the brain. Acetylcholine is a chemical in the body that's important for sending signals through nerves related to memory and learning.

Galantamine is an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor. Though unclear how the medication exactly helps with Alzheimer's, it's thought to prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine.

Drug Facts

Common BrandsRazadyne ER
Drug ClassAcetylcholinesterase inhibitor
Controlled Substance ClassificationNot a controlled medication
Generic StatusLower-cost generic available
AvailabilityPrescription only
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What are the side effects of Galantamine?

The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.

Common Side Effects

  • Nausea (21%)
  • Vomiting (11%)
  • Dizziness (8%)
  • Diarrhea (7%)
  • Low appetite (7%)
  • Headache (7%)
  • Weight loss (5%)

Other Side Effects

  • Upset stomach
  • Stomach pain
  • Sleepiness
  • Tiredness
  • Weakness
  • Fall
  • Shakiness (tremor)
  • Depression

Serious Side Effects

Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
  • Serious skin reactions: skin rash, large blisters on the skin, painful sores, swelling of the face
  • Seizures
  • Fainting
  • Chest pain

Source: DailyMed

More on Galantamine side effects

Health: Galantamine: side effects galantamine

10 Galantamine Side Effects You Should Know About

Written by Daphne Berryhill, RPh

The following side effects have also been reported

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Less common

Chest pain or discomfort

lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting

shakiness in the legs, arms, hands, or feet

shortness of breath

slow or irregular heartbeat

unusual tiredness

Rare

Blurred vision

confusion

decreased urination

dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position

dry mouth

fainting

fast, irregular, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse

feeling of warmth

rapid breathing

redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally, upper chest

sunken eyes

sweating

thirst

troubled breathing

unusual tiredness or weakness

wrinkled skin

Incidence not known

Blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin

chills

cough

dark urine

fever

general tiredness and weakness

headache

hoarseness

irritation

joint pain, stiffness, or swelling

light-colored stools

nausea and vomiting

nervousness

pounding in the ears

rash, hives, or itching skin

red skin lesions, often with a purple center

red, irritated eyes

redness of the skin

swelling of the eyelids, face, lips, hands, or feet

tightness in the chest

troubled swallowing

upper right abdominal or stomach pain

yellow eyes and skin

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:

Symptoms of overdose

Confusion

convulsions

irregular, fast or slow, or shallow breathing

muscle weakness

pale or blue lips, fingernails, or skin

severe nausea

stomach cramps

sweating

tearing of the eyes

twitches of the muscle visible under the skin

vomiting

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

Decreased appetite

weight loss

Less common

Acid or sour stomach

belching

discouragement

feeling sad or empty

general feeling of discomfort or illness

heartburn

increased sweating

indigestion

irritability

lack of appetite

lack or loss of strength

loss of interest or pleasure

muscle spasms

stomach discomfort, upset, or pain

trouble concentrating

trouble sleeping

unusual drowsiness, dullness, tiredness, weakness, or feeling of sluggishness

Rare

Burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings

change in taste

dry heaves

loss of taste

unusually deep sleep

unusually long duration of sleep

Incidence not known

Continuing ringing or buzzing or other unexplained noise in the ears

hearing loss

seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

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

pros-and-cons

Pros and cons of Galantamine

thumbs-up

Pros

Available as a lower-cost generic

ER capsule only needs to be taken once a day

Available in an oral solution, which is a good option for people who have a hard time swallowing pills

thumbs-down

Cons

Only for mild-to-moderate AD

Might not be the best option for people with lung conditions (e.g., severe asthma, COPD) because it can affect your breathing

Not recommended for use in people with severe liver or kidney problems

pharmacist-tips

Pharmacist tips for Galantamine

pharmacist

  • Make sure you take galantamine with a full glass of water and stay hydrated throughout the day. This medication can make you dehydrated.

    • Galantamine commonly causes stomach side effects, like nausea, vomiting, and stomach upset. Take each dose with a meal to help.

      • Take galantamine exactly how your provider tells you to. Don't raise your dose on your own. Taking higher doses too quickly can lead to unwanted side effects.

        • Let your provider know if you miss more than three days of galantamine in a row. You might need to restart the medication at a lower dose.

          • Be sure to let your provider know if you have any planned procedures or surgeries that will require anesthesia. Galantamine can affect how well the medications used for anesthesia work.

            Additional tips for the oral solution:

            • Make sure to use the measuring device that comes with the solution to measure out your galantamine dose. Don't use kitchen spoons because this could cause you to take the wrong dose.

              • After you've measured your dose, add it to a cup with 100 mL of a non-alcoholic liquid (e.g., water, juice). Stir well. Then, drink the mixture right away.

                • Rinse the syringe after each use by inserting it in a glass of water and pulling and pushing the plunger.

                  • Store the galantamine solution at room temperature. Don't freeze it because this could damage the medication.

                    faqs

                    Frequently asked questions about Galantamine

                    How long can you take galantamine?
                    There isn't a set amount of time that's recommended to take galantamine. Your provider will probably tell you to continue taking the medication as long as it's helping with your symptoms and you're not having bothersome side effects, like nausea, vomiting, and appetite changes. Clinical studies have shown that it's safe and works well for up to 3 years.
                    Does galantamine have to be taken with food?
                    It's recommended that you take your dose with food to lower your risk of stomach side effects like nausea and vomiting. If you're taking the immediate-release tablets or oral solution, take your dose with your morning and evening meals. If you're taking the extended-release capsules, take your dose with your morning meal.
                    Is galantamine safe if you have kidney problems?
                    Having kidney problems can lead to a buildup of galantamine in your body, which can raise your risk of side effects from the medication. If you have kidney problems, you might have to take a lower dose of galantamine to lower the risk of this happening. But, if you have severe kidney problems, using galantamine might not be recommended. Be sure to let your provider know if you have kidney problems before starting this medication so they can make sure it's safe for you.
                    Does galantamine cause lucid dreams?
                    There are small studies showing that galantamine can cause lucid (clear and vivid) dreams. Researchers aren't sure how the medication causes these dreams, and more research needs to be done to better understand this effect. Currently, galantamine is only FDA approved to treat Alzheimer's disease and hasn't been proven to be safe or effective for any other purpose.
                    Is galantamine available over the counter?
                    When used for treating Alzheimer's disease, galantamine should only be used under the supervision of a healthcare provider and purchased with a prescription. There are galantamine supplements available over the counter (OTC), but keep in mind that claims made by the manufacturers of these supplements haven't been proven by the FDA.
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                    What are the risks and warnings for Galantamine?

                    Galantamine can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.

                    risk-warning

                    Serious skin reaction

                    Although rare, galantamine can cause serious skin reactions. Let your provider know right away if you develop a rash while taking this medication. You might need to stop galantamine and switch to an alternative treatment.

                    risk-warning

                    Slowed heartbeat and fainting

                    Galantamine can slow down your heart rate. In some cases, this can lead to fainting. Let your provider know if you have any falls or start to feel lightheaded.

                    risk-warning

                    Stomach ulcers and bleeding

                    • Risk factors: Taking anti-inflammatory medications (e.g., NSAIDs) | History of stomach ulcers or bleeding

                      Galantamine can raise the amount of stomach acid your body makes, which can put you at risk for stomach ulcers and bleeding. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which are commonly found in over-the-counter cold and pain medications, can also raise your risk of stomach bleeds. You might want to avoid taking these medications at the same time as galantamine. Talk to your provider if you have worsening upset stomach, heartburn, or indigestion.

                      risk-warning

                      Seizures

                      Galantamine might raise your risk of seizures. If you think you might have experienced a seizure while taking this medication, let your provider know right away.

                      dosage

                      Galantamine dosage forms

                      The average cost for 60 tablets of 4mg of Galantamine is $25.80 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 83.32% off the average retail price of $154.66.
                      bottle of oral solution
                      Bottle of oral solution
                      DosageQuantityPrice as low asPrice per unit
                      100ml of 4mg/ml1 bottle$53.44$53.44
                      tablet
                      Tablet
                      DosageQuantityPrice as low asPrice per unit
                      4mg60 tablets$25.80$0.43
                      8mg60 tablets$29.66$0.49
                      12mg60 tablets$33.33$0.56

                      Typical dosing for Galantamine

                      • Immediate-release (IR) tablets and oral solution: The typical starting dose is 4 mg by mouth twice a day (preferably once in the morning and once in the evening). If needed, your provider might raise your dose slowly over time.

                      • Extended-release (ER) capsules: The typical starting dose is 8 mg by mouth once a day in the morning. If needed, your provider might raise your dose slowly over time.

                      interactions

                      Interactions between Galantamine and other drugs

                      Galantamine may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Galantamine. Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.

                      Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.

                      Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

                      Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

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                      How much does Galantamine cost?

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                      alternatives

                      What are alternatives to Galantamine?

                      There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Galantamine. Compare a few possible alternatives below.
                      Galantamine
                      Used for:

                      • Mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD)

                      $25.80 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
                      Donepezil (Aricept)
                      Used for:
                      $9.00 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
                      Rivastigmine patch (Exelon)
                      Used for:
                      $50.00 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
                      images

                      Galantamine images

                      White Round G 4 And Janssen - Galantamine Hydrobromide 4mg Tablet
                      This medicine is White, Round Tablet Imprinted With "Janssen" And "G 4".White Round G 4 And Janssen - Galantamine Hydrobromide 4mg Tablet
                      White Round Yb And 111 - Galantamine Hydrobromide 4mg Tablet
                      This medicine is White, Round Tablet Imprinted With "Yb" And "111".White Round Yb And 111 - Galantamine Hydrobromide 4mg Tablet

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                      References

                      Best studies we found

                      Aurobindo Pharma Limited. (2022). Galantamine - galantamine capsule, extended release. DailyMed.

                      Chen, Z. R., et al. (2022). Role of cholinergic signaling in Alzheimer's disease. Molecules.

                      Hikma Pharmaceuticals USA Inc. (2023). Galantamine hydrobromide- galantamine hydrobromide solution [package insert]. DailyMed.

                      View All References (5)

                      Kalola, U. K., et al. (2023). Galantamine. StatPearls.

                      LaBerge, S., et al. (2018). Pre-sleep treatment with galantamine stimulates lucid dreaming: A double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study. PLoS One.

                      Pirttilä, T., et al. (2004). Long-term efficacy and safety of galantamine in patients with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease: Multicenter trial. European Journal of Neurology.

                      Purves, D., et al. (2001). Acetylcholine. Neuroscience, 2nd edition.

                      Zydus Pharmaceuticals USA Inc. (2022). Galantamine tablet, film coated [package insert]. DailyMed.

                      GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.
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