Galantamine Dosage

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Aug 8, 2023.

Applies to the following strengths: 4 mg; 8 mg; 12 mg; 4 mg/mL; 16 mg; 24 mg

Usual Adult Dose for:

Alzheimer's Disease

Additional dosage information:

Renal Dose Adjustments
Liver Dose Adjustments
Precautions
Dialysis
Other Comments

Usual Adult Dose for Alzheimer's Disease

Immediate release tablet and oral solution:
Initial dose: 4 mg orally twice a day, preferably with morning and evening meals

After a minimum of four weeks, increase to 8 mg twice a day, then after an additional 4 weeks, may increase to 12 mg twice a day

Maintenance dose: 16 to 24 mg per day given in 2 divided doses
Maximum dose: 24 mg/day

Extended release capsule:
Initial dose: 8 mg orally once a day, preferably with the morning meal

After 4 weeks, dose should be increased to 16 mg once a day, a further increase to 24 mg once a day may be considered after a minimum of 4 weeks of taking 16 mg/day

Maintenance dose: 16 to 24 mg orally once a day based on clinical benefit and tolerability
Maximum dose: 24 mg/day

Conversion from Immediate-Release (IR) Tablets or Oral Solution to Extended-Release (ER) Capsules:

Take the last dose of IR formulation n in the evening prior to starting ER capsule; start ER capsule following morning at once a day dosing
Converting from IR to ER should occur at the same total daily dosage

Comments:

During clinical trials, an immediate-release dose of 32 mg per day was found to be less well tolerated and did not increase clinical benefit; dosing at 24 mg/day was not found to provide statistically significant increased clinical benefit from 16 mg/day; however, it might provide additional benefit for some patients.
Dose increases should be based upon assessment of clinical benefit and tolerability of the previous dose.
If therapy is interrupted for more than 3 days, the patient should be restarted at the lowest dosage and the dosage escalated to current dose.

Use: For the treatment of mild to moderate dementia of the Alzheimer's type.

Renal Dose Adjustments

Moderate renal impairment (CrCl 9 to 59 mL/min: Maximum daily dose should generally not exceed 16 mg/day
Severe renal impairment (CrCl less than 9 mL/min): Not recommended

Liver Dose Adjustments

Moderately Impaired Hepatic Function (Child-Pugh score of 7 to 9): Maximum daily dose should generally not exceed 16 mg/day
Severe Hepatic Impairment (Child-Pugh score of 10 to 15): Not recommended

Precautions

CONTRAINDICATIONS:

Hypersensitivity to active drug or any product excipients

Safety and efficacy have not been established in patients younger than 18 years.

Consult WARNINGS section for additional precautions.

Dialysis

Data not available

Other Comments

Administration advice:
Ensure adequate fluid intake during therapy

Immediate-release tablets and oral solution: Take orally twice a day, preferably with morning and evening meals
Extended-release capsules: Take orally once a day, in the morning, preferably with food

If therapy is interrupted for more than 3 days, patient should restart at the lowest dose and escalate to their current dose.

Storage requirements: Do not freeze the oral solution

General:

Dose increases should be based upon assessment of clinical benefit and tolerability of the previous dose.
The abrupt withdrawal of this drug has not been associated with increased frequency of adverse events.
The beneficial effects of the drug are lost when the drug is discontinued.

Monitoring:

Monitor weight
Monitor for seizure activity
Monitor respiratory function
Monitor for gastrointestinal bleeding
Monitor for skin rash

Patient advice:

Patients should be instructed to stay hydrated throughout therapy
Patients should be instructed to stop therapy and contact their healthcare provider promptly if they develop a skin rash.
Patients should be instructed to contact their healthcare provider if they miss more than 3 consecutive days of therapy as retitration will be needed.
Patients taking oral solution should be provided with an instruction sheet describing how the solution is to be administered.
Patients should be counseled on their ability to drive and/or performance of hazardous activities; this drug may cause dizziness and somnolence, especially during first weeks of therapy.