Galantyl (Galantamine (As Hydrobromide))
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Galantyl Used For?
Galantyl is specifically designed to help people with Alzheimer’s disease manage their symptoms and slow the progression of the condition.
Primary Uses
Galantyl is used to treat mild to moderately severe dementia of the Alzheimer’s type. It helps with symptoms like confusion, memory loss, and changes in behavior that make daily activities more difficult.
How It Works
Alzheimer’s symptoms are thought to be caused by a lack of acetylcholine, a chemical that helps brain cells communicate. Galantyl increases the amount of acetylcholine in your brain to help improve or stabilize symptoms and slow the progress of Alzheimer’s disease.
How to Take Galantyl
Galantyl should be taken exactly as prescribed by your doctor, with the dose gradually increased over time to find what works best for you.
Dosage Instructions
Your doctor will start you on a low dose and gradually increase it. A typical schedule is: Start with 8 mg daily for 4 weeks, then increase to 16 mg daily for at least another 4 weeks, then increase to 24 mg daily for long-term treatment. Take once daily in the morning, preferably with food. Swallow the capsule whole – do not crush or sprinkle the contents. Drink plenty of liquids during treatment to stay hydrated.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time. If you remember earlier, take it as soon as possible and then return to your normal schedule. If you’ve missed more than one dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for guidance.
Important: Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose, as this may increase your risk of side effects.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Stomach pain or indigestion
- Decreased appetite and weight loss
- Dizziness and headache
- Tremors and muscle spasms
- Fatigue and drowsiness
- Depression
- Fast heartbeat
- Feeling unwell
- Blurred vision
- Ringing in ears
- Sleep problems
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Signs of allergic reaction (rash, hives, swelling of face/lips/tongue, difficulty breathing)
- Vomiting blood or coffee-ground material
- Bloody diarrhea or black stools
- Seizures
- Chest pain or tightness
- Fainting with slow or irregular heartbeat
- Stroke symptoms (numbness, weakness, confusion, speech problems)
- Severe skin reactions with peeling, fever, blisters
Important Warnings
Before taking Galantyl, it’s important to discuss your medical history and current health conditions with your doctor.
Who Should Not Take Galantyl
Do not take Galantyl if you are allergic to galantamine or any ingredients in the medication, have severe liver and/or kidney disease, or if the medication has expired or the package is damaged.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have: liver or kidney disease, heart problems, stomach ulcers, brain disorders like Parkinson’s disease or seizures, movement control problems, breathing disorders like asthma, recent gut or bladder surgery, difficulty passing urine, sudden abdominal pain attacks, or low potassium levels causing weakness or muscle cramps.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Check with your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. Tell your doctor immediately if you become pregnant while taking Galantyl.
Clinical Trial Data: Initial results from clinical trials in patients with mild cognitive impairments showed a slightly higher death rate in those taking galantamine compared to placebo, though the reason is unknown and may be due to chance. There is no evidence of increased death risk in those with mild to moderately severe Alzheimer’s disease.
Drug Interactions
Several medications can interfere with how Galantyl works, so it’s important to tell your doctor about all medicines you’re taking.
- Anticholinergic medicines (for travel sickness, stomach cramps)
- Cholinergic medicines (like bethanechol, certain surgical medicines)
- Parkinson’s disease medications
- Heart medications (digoxin, quinidine, beta blockers)
- Breathing problem medications
- Antifungal medicines (ketoconazole)
- Antibiotics (erythromycin)
- Anti-inflammatory and arthritis medications
- Antidepressants and anxiety medications (paroxetine, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine)
Alcohol & Driving
Galantyl can affect your ability to drive safely, and Alzheimer’s disease itself may also impact these abilities.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Galantyl may cause dizziness or drowsiness, especially when you first start taking it. Additionally, Alzheimer’s disease may reduce your ability to drive or operate machines safely. Discuss with your doctor whether it’s safe for you to drive or operate machinery while taking this medication.
Storage
Keep Galantyl capsules in their original pack until you’re ready to take them. Store in a cool, dry place where the temperature stays below 25°C. Keep away from moisture, heat, and sunlight – don’t store in bathrooms, near sinks, in cars, or on window sills. Store in a locked cupboard at least 1.5 meters above ground, away from children.
Overdose Information
If you think you or someone else has taken too much Galantyl, seek immediate medical attention. Call the Poisons Information Centre at 13 11 26, contact your doctor, or go to the nearest hospital emergency department, even if there are no obvious symptoms. Overdose symptoms may include severe nausea and vomiting, stomach cramps, excessive saliva/tears/sweat, loss of bladder/bowel control, heart rate changes, low blood pressure, dizziness, muscle weakness, seizures, breathing difficulties, chest pain, or hallucinations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Galantyl is started at a low dose and gradually increased over several weeks. Your doctor will typically start with 8mg daily, increase to 16mg after 4 weeks, then to 24mg after another 4 weeks to find the most suitable dose for you.
Yes, Galantyl should preferably be taken with food. Take it once daily in the morning with food to help reduce stomach upset.
If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. If you remember earlier, take it as soon as possible. Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose, as this increases your risk of side effects.
No, do not stop taking Galantyl or change your dosage without checking with your doctor first. If treatment is stopped for more than several days, your doctor will need to restart you at the lowest dose to minimize side effects.
Do not crush the capsule or sprinkle its contents in food. The capsule must be swallowed whole as it’s a modified release formulation designed to work over time.
Yes, be sure to drink plenty of liquids during your treatment with Galantyl to keep yourself hydrated, as dehydration can be a side effect.
No, Galantyl helps control the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease but does not cure it. It works by increasing acetylcholine levels to help improve or stabilize symptoms and slow disease progression.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.