Is Razadyne (galantamine) used to treat Alzheimer’s?

Yes, Razadyne ER is a prescription medicine used to treat mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimer's disease is a brain disorder that results in problems with memory, thinking and reasoning skills, and activities of daily living. The exact cause of Alzheimer's disease is not known, but may involve changes in brain chemicals.

• Razadyne ER (galantamine) is available as an extended-release oral capsule in 8 mg, 16 mg and 24 mg strengths.
• It is given once daily in the morning, preferably with food. Be sure to drink plenty of fluids during treatment.
• Nausea can be a common side effect. Your doctor will slowly increase your dose over time to help minimize this effect.
• Dose adjustments may be needed if you have kidney or liver problems.

The immediate-release (IR) Razadyne brand name products (tablets, oral solution) have been discontinued by the manufacturer and are no longer on the market, but the generic equivalents are still available.

Razadyne ER is manufactured by Janssen Pharmaceuticals.

How does Razadyne work to treat Alzheimer’s?

To understand how Razadyne works it’s important to learn about the chemical in our brain called acetylcholine.

Acetylcholine is a chemical messenger (neurotransmitter) that helps to control our memory, learning, attention, focus, and muscle movement. Low levels of acetylcholine have been associated with memory problems, like dementia associated with Alzheimer’s disease.

Although the exact cause of Alzheimer’s is not fully known, it is thought that people with Alzheimer’s disease have low levels of acetylcholine. Low levels may occur due to:

• reduced levels of choline acetyltransferase (an enzyme that helps to make acetylcholine)
• the presence of cholinesterase enzymes that further break down acetylcholine in the brain.

Razadyne ER is classified as a cholinesterase inhibitor. Cholinesterase inhibitors work by binding to the cholinesterase enzyme. This helps to prevent the breakdown and increase acetylcholine levels in certain areas of the brain, which may help with dementia and memory loss. The precise way in which galantamine works is not fully known.

Does Razadyne come as a generic?

Yes, all dosage forms of Razadyne (immediate-release tablets, extended-release capsules, and oral solution) are available as a generic in the US. The generic name for Razadyne is galantamine.

Galantamine comes as:

• 4 mg, 8 mg and 12 mg immediate-release (IR) tablets
• 8 mg, 16 mg, and 24 mg extended-release (ER) capsules
• 4 mg/mL oral solution

Learn more: What is the dose of galantamine?

What are the other options to Razadyne?

There are two other approved cholinesterase inhibitors on the U.S. market used in Alzheimer's disease - donepezil and rivastigmine. The available products include:

• donepezil (brands: Aricept, Aricept ODT, Adlarity transdermal patch)
• rivastigmine (brand: Exelon)
• the combination agent memantine and donepezil (brand: Namzaric)

Cholinesterase inhibitors may be modestly helpful in cognition decline and memory in some patients. Cognitive decline may include dementia, memory loss and confusion. However, not everyone using this drug class can expect to have a meaningful improvement in Alzheimer’s disease symptoms.

Tacrine was the first approved cholinesterase inhibitor in 1993, but was later removed from the U.S. market due to liver toxicity.

Related: Medications for treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (in more detail)

What are the known common side effects of galantamine (Razadyne ER)?

Stomach problems like nausea and vomiting are the most common side effects, but are usually temporary and can be lessened by starting treatment at a lower dose.

• In studies, nausea occurred in about 20% of patients and vomiting in about 10%.
• To help prevent stomach side effects, your doctor will start you on a lower dose for 4 weeks and then increase it to reach your maintenance dose.

Common side effects

In studies with the extended-release product, the most common side effects (≥5%) were:

• nausea (20.7%)
• vomiting (10.5%)
• diarrhea (7.4%)
• dizziness (7.5%)
• headache (7.1%)
• decreased appetite (7.4%)

The side effects for the immediate-release tablet and the oral solution are similar.

Serious side effects or warnings

Serious adverse reactions and warnings include:

• Serious skin reactions (discontinue galantamine and seek immediate medical attention at the first appearance of skin rash)
• Heart rhythm problems (tell your doctor if you have a current or former history heart-related problems)
• Stomach bleeding (tell your doctor if you’ve had stomach bleeding or ulcers)
• Trouble with your bladder or urine flow (tell your doctor if you’ve had trouble with your urinary tract system)
• Nervous system problems (tell your doctor if have a history of seizures) or worsening of movement disorders
• Pulmonary (lung) conditions (tell your doctor if a history of asthma or obstructive pulmonary disease)
• Deaths in subjects with mild cognitive impairment

This is not all the information you need to know about Razadyne ER (galantamine) for safe and effective use and does not take the place of your doctor’s directions. Review the full Razadyne ER information and discuss this information and any questions you have with your doctor or other health care provider.