Reminyl

What is it?

An anticholinesterase inhibitor available as film-coated tablets in 3 strengths, all containing galantamine as hydrobromide. White tablets contain 4mg, pink tablets contain 8mg and pink or orange/brown contain 12mg. All are marked with name and G4, G8 and G12, respectively.

Medical Uses

Mild to moderate Alzheimer's dementia.

Dosage

Adults, 4mg twice each day to begin with, taken with breakfast and evening meal, for 4 weeks. Then, 8mg twice each day for 4 weeks increasing to 12mg twice daily, for manintenance, as long as well tolerated and of proven benefit. Treatment should be reassessed after 2 to 4 months and continued only if patient's condition has improved.

Special Care

Pregnancy, obstruction of gastrointestinal tract or urinary outflow, moderate liver disease, epilepsy, previous stomach ulcer, bladder surgery, COPD or asthma, heart conduction disturbances. Patient's body weight should be monitored. Treatment should only begin under supervision of specialist in Alzheimer's dementia. Avid use: children, breastfeeding, severe kidney or liver disorders, malabsorption of galactose-glucose, intolerance to galactose, deficiency in Lapp lactase.

Possible Drug and Food Interactions

Digoxin, CYP2D6 or 3A4 inhibitors, depolarising muscle relaxants, cholinomimetics, β-blockers, anticholinergics.

Known Side Effects

Confusion, fatigue, gastrointestinal upset, insomnia, urinary tract infections, irritation/runny nose, dizziness, sleepiness, loss of weight, headaches, increased risk of injury any adverse side effects should be reported to the Committee on the safety of Medicines (CSM).