Galanatamine pill side effects
drug for Alzheimer's dementia

Galantamine is a cholinergic drug that is also available as a dietary supplement. Galantamine was isolated from several plants, including daffodil bulbs, but is now synthesized. Galantamine is available over the counter and also by prescription.
   Galantamine drug offsets reductions in central cholinergic neurotransmission in Alzheimer's disease (AD) by specifically and reversibly inhibiting acetylcholinesterase (AChE). This allows more acetylcholine to be available in the brain. Galantamine is also a nicotinic receptor agonist. Another herbal extract that has potential in the therapy of Alzheimer's disease is Huperzine A.
   Being approved for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease in both the US and in Europe, with trials of its efficacy in other dementia types (such as vascular dementia) already yielding positive results, galantamine drug has potential as therapy for dementia. Galantamine is currently not recommended for use by young individuals.
  
Galantamine drug side effects
Side effects of galantamine drug are similar to those of other cholinesterase inhibitors, i.e. nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and dyspepsia.
   A study indicates that the mental benefits from galantamine drug can continue for several years. (see below)

Galantamine (GalantaMind ), 4 mg, 90 Caps - Life Enhancement

GalantaMind is a formulation featuring galantamine, a phytonutrient extracted from the common snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis), daffodil (Narcissus pseudonarcissus L.), and spider lily (Lycoris radiata), among other plants.

As an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, galantamine competitively blocks the premature, age-related breakdown of the natural neurotransmitter acetylcholine, an essential molecule that supports memory function. Unlike other acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, galantamine also enhances nicotinic receptor activity, an effect long known to influence memory and intellectual activity. For a comprehensive mind boosting formula, see Mind-Power-Rx.

GalantaMind also contains the nutrients choline and vitamin B5, the precursor and cofactor, respectively, to the body's production of acetylcholine.
Click here to buy Galantamine supplement

NOTE: Please consult with your physician before you purchase galantamine to make sure this product is appropriate for you. Galantamine is also sold as Reminyl, a prescription medicine.

Supplement Facts
Vitamin B5 - 100 mg (from calcium pantothenate)
Galantamine hydrobromide extract - 4 mg (Galanthus nivalis)           
Choline -  200 mg (from choline dihydrogen citrate)

Suggested Use:  For adults only. Half or one galantamine capsule in the morning a few times a week with breakfast
* Galantamine daily value not established

Galantamine drug plus antidepressant medications not helpful
A double blind, placebo-controlled pilot study of galantamine augmentation of antidepressant treatment in older adults with major depression.
Int J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2007 Dec. Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, USA.
This double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled pilot study was designed to assess the safety and efficacy of galantamine augmentation of antidepressant treatment for depressive and cognitive symptoms in older adults with major depression. Thirty-eight, non-demented older adults (age >50) with major depression were randomized to receive galantamine or placebo augmentation of standard antidepressant pharmacotherapy (venlafaxine XR or citalopram). Both groups showed significant improvements in mood and cognition over 24 weeks, but no significant difference was found in change over time between groups. An exploratory post-hoc analysis suggested that patients randomized to galantamine had lower depression scores compared to patients in the placebo group after 2 weeks of treatment. Dropout was high with more subjects randomized to antidepressant plus galantamine withdrawing early from the study. This pilot study failed to demonstrate a benefit for galantamine augmentation of antidepressant medication in the treatment of depression in older adults.

Galantamine drug research
The cognitive benefits of galantamine are sustained for at least 36 months: a long-term extension trial.
Raskind MA. University of Washington School of Medicine Seattle 98108, USA.
Arch Neurol. 2004 Feb;61(2):252-6.
Alzheimer disease (AD) causes progressive cognitive and functional decline over years. Although cholinesterase inhibitors have demonstrated efficacy in studies lasting 3 to 6 months, little is known about long-term therapy. To report the long-term cognitive effects of galantamine hydrobromide given continuously for 36 months in AD patients. Subjects were 194 US patients with mild to moderate AD who had been randomized to continuous galantamine therapy in either of 2 double-blind placebo-controlled trials. Subjects subsequently received open-label continuous galantamine therapy for up to 36 months. Effects on cognition were analyzed as change from study enrollment baseline in scores on the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-11-item cognitive subscale. Cognitive decline in galantamine-treated subjects was compared with that in a clinically similar historical control sample of AD patients who had received placebo for 12 months and with the mathematically predicted decline of untreated patients over 36 months. The rate of cognitive decline of patients who completed the entire 36-month trial (n = 119) was compared with that of patients who withdrew for any reason during the long-term open-label extension (n = 75). An inverted responder analysis was also performed in 36-month completers. Patients treated continuously with galantamine drug for 36 months increased a mean +/- SE of 10 points on the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-11-item cognitive subscale-a substantially smaller cognitive decline (approximately 50%) than that predicted for untreated patients. Patients discontinuing galantamine therapy before 36 months had declined at a similar rate before discontinuation as those completing 36 months of treatment. Almost 80% of patients who received galantamine continuously for up to 36 months seemed to demonstrate cognitive benefits compared with those predicted for untreated patients. Cognitive decline over 36 months of continuous galantaminedrug  treatment was substantially less than the predicted cognitive decline of untreated patients with mild to moderate dementia. Thus, the cognitive benefits of galantamine seemed to be sustained for at least 36 months. These findings suggest that galantamine drug slows the clinical progression of AD.

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