Galantamine Side Effects – Risks and Possible Negative Outcomes

Galantamine is an FDA-approved drug for the treatment of Alzheimer’s in the USA.

It is also used by many memory-conscious individuals who want to improve their clarity of thought and cognitive function.

Galantamine is an alkaloid that is harvested from Galanthus family of flowers as well as the Red Spider Lily and some daffodils.

It has been found to increase levels of a neurotransmitter in the brain that can lead to better memory formation and recall.

This natural compound is considered to be very safe when used appropriately, but there are steps you can take to limit the occurrence of Galantamine side effects.

Galantamine

Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitor

Memory

Mental Function

Neuro- protective

How It Works:

• Inhibits acetylcholinesterase enzyme in the brain
• Improves memory & mental performance
• Boosts concentration & brain cell health

Dosage:

Between 4 - 24 mg per day

Safety:

Rated Possibly Safe

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Galantamine History

Galantamine was discovered and researched initially in the Soviet Union in the 1950s.

After observing the effects of this alkaloid in memory-impaired individuals, it was found to inhibit acetylcholinesterase – an enzyme which causes the breakdown of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine.

A process for efficiently extracting and producing Galantamine Hydrobromide was first implemented in Bulgaria in 1959 by Dimitar Paskov. Since then, the FDA has approved it for use in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease in the United States.

The drug is also prescribed for certain muscular and motor diseases including myopathy and myasthenia gravis in Russia and Eastern Europe.

Galantamine is also commonly taken as a cognitive enhancer or nootropic agent. A nootropic is any type of supplement or drug that can increase intelligence memory, learning, concentration, and the speed and clarity of cognitive processing.

Galantamine in particular is thought to boost neuroplasticity, leading to improved memory retention both in short-term and long-term memory function.

It counteracts the low levels of acetylcholine that are associated with some forms of cognitive decline and aging. While it can temporarily alleviate some symptoms, Galantamine is not considered to be a cure for memory diseases like Alzheimer’s. Furthermore, this brain-booster has neuroprotective properties and may be able to treat adults suffering from brain damage

Students, entrepreneurs and other productivity-concerned individuals also take it to enable them to concentrate and work harder. By increasing the amount of acetylcholine receptor stimulation in the brain, it can enhance so-called executive functions related to focusing, attention switching, blocking out distractions and controlling inhibitions.

Many users say that they do not experience as much mental strain when engaging in demanding work and that ideas seem to flow effortlessly when using this memory drug. Some reviews also state that Galantamine can alleviate insomnia and can enhance the quality of their sleep as well.

Galantamine Side Effects

Galantamine has a variety of mild side effects associated with oral use of the drug. These side effects are considered rare and unlikely to occur if the drug is used properly under appropriate medical supervision.

The risk of side effect may increase as higher dosages are used. Some of these signs can occur when you start using the memory-boosting drug but will disappear once your body has become used to the effects.

Some of the possible side effects of Galantamine are listed below:

• bladder pain
• bloody or cloudy urine
• diarrhea
• difficult, burning, or painful urination
• discouragement
• feeling sad or empty
• frequent urge to urinate
• irritability
• loss of appetite
• loss of interest or pleasure
• lower back or side pain
• nausea
• tiredness
• trouble concentrating
• vomiting
• weight loss

You may notice that many of these Galantamine side effects are related to gastrointestinal problems, which is common for most substances that act as an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor.

Other side effects that are less common but still may occur include:

• abdominal pain
• pale skin
• troubled breathing with activity
• slow or irregular heartbeat (less than 50 beats per minute)
• light-headedness
• dizziness or fainting
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• indigestion
• headache
• lower back pain
• trouble sleeping
• unable to sleep
• sleepiness
• sleeplessness
• stuffy nose
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• unusual drowsiness
• high or low blood pressure
• tremor

Anyone experiencing Galantamine side effects should consult a medical professional to seek advice. Most users who take Galantamine under the supervision of their doctor do not experience side effects and serious negative outcomes are very rare.

However, some individuals with pre-existing heart conditions have been reported to suffer from atrioventricular blocks or brachycardia when taking the drug.

For this reason, it is important to check with your physician first before taking Galantamine. They can then help you determine whether you have a pre-existing condition that would preclude you from being able to take this drug.

If your Galantamine side effects persist without ceasing, you may want to look into other acetylcholine supplements that can increase cholinergic activity using different mechanisms of action.

Galantamine Alternatives

Some people will take Huperzine A instead of Galantamine. Huperzine A is also an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor which may be used as an alternative to Galantamine.

Other options include the choline supplemenets Alpha GPC, CDP Choline (Citicoline) or Centrophenoxine. All three of these compounds supply the brain with more choline that it needs to make acetylcholine. This can naturally raise levels of this neurotransmitter, resulting in better memory function and improved focus.

As always, check with your doctor to determine if one of these options will serve you better than Galantamine in the presence of side effects.

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