Skip to main content
Print Save

Galantamine Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Mar 6, 2023.

Applies to galantamine: oral capsule extended release, oral solution, oral tablet.

Serious side effects of Galantamine

Along with its needed effects, galantamine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking galantamine:

Less common

  • Chest pain or discomfort
  • lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting
  • shakiness in the legs, arms, hands, or feet
  • shortness of breath
  • slow or irregular heartbeat
  • unusual tiredness

Rare

  • Blurred vision
  • confusion
  • decreased urination
  • dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
  • dry mouth
  • fainting
  • fast, irregular, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse
  • feeling of warmth
  • rapid breathing
  • redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally, upper chest
  • sunken eyes
  • sweating
  • thirst
  • troubled breathing
  • unusual tiredness or weakness
  • wrinkled skin

Incidence not known

  • Blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
  • chills
  • cough
  • dark urine
  • fever
  • general tiredness and weakness
  • headache
  • hoarseness
  • irritation
  • joint pain, stiffness, or swelling
  • light-colored stools
  • nausea and vomiting
  • nervousness
  • pounding in the ears
  • rash, hives, or itching skin
  • red skin lesions, often with a purple center
  • red, irritated eyes
  • redness of the skin
  • swelling of the eyelids, face, lips, hands, or feet
  • tightness in the chest
  • troubled swallowing
  • upper right abdominal or stomach pain
  • yellow eyes and skin

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur while taking galantamine:

Symptoms of overdose

  • Confusion
  • convulsions
  • irregular, fast or slow, or shallow breathing
  • muscle weakness
  • pale or blue lips, fingernails, or skin
  • severe nausea
  • stomach cramps
  • sweating
  • tearing of the eyes
  • twitches of the muscle visible under the skin
  • vomiting

Other side effects of Galantamine

Some side effects of galantamine may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

Less common

  • Acid or sour stomach
  • belching
  • discouragement
  • feeling sad or empty
  • general feeling of discomfort or illness
  • heartburn
  • increased sweating
  • indigestion
  • irritability
  • lack of appetite
  • lack or loss of strength
  • loss of interest or pleasure
  • muscle spasms
  • stomach discomfort, upset, or pain
  • trouble concentrating
  • trouble sleeping
  • unusual drowsiness, dullness, tiredness, weakness, or feeling of sluggishness

Rare

  • Burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
  • change in taste
  • dry heaves
  • loss of taste
  • unusually deep sleep
  • unusually long duration of sleep

Incidence not known

  • Continuing ringing or buzzing or other unexplained noise in the ears
  • hearing loss
  • seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to galantamine: oral capsule extended release, oral solution, oral tablet.

Cardiovascular

Common (1% to 10%): Syncope, bradycardia

Frequency not reported: First degree atrioventricular (AV) block, palpitations, sinus bradycardia, supraventricular extrasystoles, flushing, hypotension

Postmarketing reports: Complete AV block, hypertension[Ref]

Two randomized, placebo controlled trials revealed increased deaths in galantamine-treated patients with mild cognitive impairment. A total of 13 deaths occurred among galantamine-treated patients (n=1026) and 1 patient on placebo (n=1022). The deaths were due to various causes; about half of the galantamine deaths appeared to result from various vascular causes (myocardial infarction, stroke, and sudden death).[Ref]

Dermatologic

Frequency not reported: Hyperhidrosis

Postmarketing reports: Stevens-Johnson syndrome, Acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis, Erythema multiforme

Gastrointestinal

Very common (10% or more): Nausea, vomiting

Common (1% to 10%): Diarrhea, abdominal pain, upper abdominal pain, dyspepsia, stomach discomfort, abdominal discomfort

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Retching

Postmarketing reports: Upper and lower GI bleeding, stomach discomfort, and abdominal discomfort.[Ref]

The median duration of nausea in clinical trials was 5 to 7 days. The most commonly occurring adverse reactions associated with discontinuation have include nausea (6.2%), vomiting (3.3%), decreased appetite (1.5%), and dizziness (1.3%).[Ref]

General

The most common side effects associated with discontinuation were nausea, vomiting, decreased appetite, dizziness, diarrhea, headache, and decreased appetite.[Ref]

Genitourinary

Common (1% to 10%): Urinary tract infection, hematuria

Frequency not reported: Increased libido[Ref]

Hematologic

Common (1% to 10%): Anemia[Ref]

Hepatic

Postmarketing reports: Hepatitis, increased hepatic enzymes

Hypersensitivity

Postmarketing reports: Hypersensitivity

Metabolic

Common (1% to 10%): Decreased appetite, decreased weight, anorexia

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Dehydration

Musculoskeletal

Common (1% to 10%): Muscle spasms

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Muscular weakness

Nervous system

Common (1% to 10%): Headache, dizziness, tremor, somnolence, lethargy

Frequency not reported: Dysgeusia, hypersomnia, paresthesia

Postmarketing reports: Seizures[Ref]

Ocular

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Blurred vision

Other

Common (1% to 10%): Fatigue, asthenia, malaise

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Fall

Postmarketing reports: Tinnitus

Psychiatric

Common (1% to 10%): Depression

Frequency not reported: Apathy, paranoia (disagreeable or terrifying dreams), paranoid reaction, increased libido, delirium, suicidal ideation and suicide

Postmarketing reports: Hallucination, visual hallucination, auditory hallucination[Ref]

Respiratory

Common (1% to 10%): Rhinitis[Ref]

Frequently asked questions

References

1. Product Information. Reminyl (galantamine). Janssen Pharmaceuticals. 2001.

2. Product Information. Razadyne (galantamine). Johnson and Johnson Medical Inc. 2005.

3. Iraqi A, Hughes TL. An unusual case of nightmares with galantamine. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2009;57:565.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.

Medical Disclaimer