PMS-Galantamine: Uses, Side Effects and Dosage

ABOUT THIS MEDICATION

What the medication is used for:

pms-GALANTAMINE is used to treat the symptoms of mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease (a type of dementia), a disease that alters brain function. The symptoms include progressive memory loss, increasing confusion and behavioural changes, as a result of which it becomes more and more difficult to carry out the activities of daily living.

What it does:

This medication is one of a group of drugs called “cholinesterase inhibitors” which are used for the symptomatic treatment of patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease. Dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease is believed to be related to lack of a substance in the brain called acetylcholine, a substance which is thought to be necessary for good cognitive brain function. pms-GALANTAMINE increases the amount of this substance in the brain, improving memory.

When it should not be used:

• If you/the person you are caring for has an allergic

  reaction to this medicine or to any of the inactive ingredients in this product

• If you/the person you are caring for has ever had an

  allergic reaction to a similar type of medicine

• If you/the person you are caring for is a child under

  18 years of age

• Unless you/the person you are caring for has been

  diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease

What the medicinal ingredient is:

galantamine hydrobromide

What the nonmedicinal ingredients are:

croscarmellose sodium, copovidone, polyvinyl alcohol, lactose monohydrate, microcrystalline cellulose, polyethylene glycol, stearic acid, talc, titanium dioxide. The 4 mg tablets also contain yellow iron oxide. The 8 mg tablets also contain red iron oxide. The 12 mg tablets also contain FD&C yellow #6 aluminum lake, and red iron oxide.

What dosage forms it comes in:

Tablets: 4mg, 8mg, 12mg

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

BEFORE you use pms-GALANTAMINE talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any of the following problems or conditions:

• heart disorders
• stomach ulcer or history of ulcer
• acute abdominal pain
• some disorders of the nervous system (like epilepsy)
• respiratory diseases that interfere with breathing (like asthma)
• a recent operation on the gut or bladder or difficulties in passing urine
• an increased risk of developing ulcers (for example, you are taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) or high doses of acetylsalicylic acid [ASA (Aspirin®)].
• liver or kidney problems

• pregnant or possibly pregnant

• breast-feeding

• having an operation with general anesthesia

  (medication that puts you to sleep)

• taking any other medications, including prescription, over-the-counter, herbal medicines or natural health products

If any of these happen after you start taking your medication, make sure you tell your doctor.

pms-GALANTAMINE, as well as Alzheimer’s disease itself, can affect the ability to drive or operate machinery. Therefore, this matter should be discussed with the doctor.

INTERACTIONS WITH THIS MEDICATION

Always tell your doctor, nurse or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, either prescription, over-the-counter, herbal medicines, or natural health products, because taking some medicines together can be harmful.

Tell your doctor if you are taking:

• drugs for diarrhea, Parkinson’s disease, or airway spasms
• drugs for certain heart problems, such as digoxin
• certain drugs taken for depression such as paroxetine
• ketoconazole, a drug used to treat fungal infections

PROPER USE OF THIS MEDICATION

Usual dose:

pms-GALANTAMINE is started at a low dose and then slowly increased, to the most suitable dose, depending on

how you respond to the treatment. pms-GALANTAMINE Tablets should be taken twice a day, preferably with the morning and evening meals. Be sure to drink plenty of liquids during your treatment to keep yourself hydrated.

REMEMBER: This medicine is for you. Only a doctor can prescribe it for you. Never give it to someone else. It may harm them even if their symptoms appear to be similar to yours.

Overdose:

If you have taken more medication than you have been told, contact either your doctor, hospital emergency department, or nearest poison control centre immediately, even if you do not feel sick.

Missed Dose:

If you forget to take a dose, do not worry, wait and take the next dose at the usual time. Do NOT take two doses at once.

If your treatment is interrupted for several days or longer, do NOT re-initiate treatment without contacting your doctor.

SIDE EFFECTS AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT THEM

If side effects occur, they are mainly experienced early in the treatment or when the dose is increased. Most tend to disappear gradually as the body adapts to the treatment; for example, nausea (feeling sick) and vomiting (being sick) generally pass after a few days. However, you should tell your doctor about any side effects, especially if they persist.

Other possible side effects include:

• abdominal pain, diarrhea, indigestion, decreased

  appetite

• difficulty swallowing
• bleeding in the digestive system
• weight loss
• low blood potassium
• low blood pressure
• dehydration (sometimes severe)

• behavioural disturbances like agitation, aggression

  and hallucinations

• weakness
• fever
• malaise
• leg cramps
• tingling in the hands or feet
• ringing in the ears
• headache
• dizziness
• tiredness, sleepiness or sleeplessness

• confusion

  • runny nose
  • urinary tract infection
  • falling, sometimes resulting in injury
  • fainting and fluttering of the heart
  • trembling
  • heart rhythm disorder
  • slow heartbeat
  • heart attack
  • stroke
  • other side effects described below

If you are caring for a patient with Alzheimer’s disease who has new symptoms you should discuss them with his or her doctor.

If you feel unwell in the ways described in this section or any other way or have any symptoms that you do not understand or find distressing, you should contact your doctor immediately. If you experience side effects that are severe, stop taking the drug and contact your doctor immediately.

This is not a complete list of side effects. For any unexpected effects while taking pms-GALANTAMINE contact your doctor or pharmacist.

HOW TO STORE IT

As with all medicines, pms-GALANTAMINE should be kept in a safe place where children cannot reach it. Also keep this medicine in a cool dry place (15 to 30°C), and protect from light.

Medicines can be kept for a limited period only. Therefore, do not use pms-GALANTAMINE after the date (year and month) printed after “EXP”, even if it has been stored properly. Always return old medicines to your pharmacist.

REPORTING SUSPECTED SIDE EFFECTS

MORE INFORMATION

This document plus the full product monograph, prepared for health professionals can be found by contacting the sponsor, Pharmascience Inc. at:

1-888-550-6060

Pharmascience Inc.

Montréal, Québec

CANADA, H4P 2T4

Last revised: January 22, 2010