Galantamine 8 mg, 16 mg and 24 mg tablets and capsules are used to treat Alzheimer’s-related dementia. These oral drugs are not intended to cure Alzheimer’s disease, but rather to help improve cognitive factors affected by this degenerative condition.
In cases of mild-to-moderate dementia, galantamine is used to improve abstract thinking, memory, judgement and personality. Galantamine supplements are also used as a nootropic for enhanced cognitive performance.
Galantamine works for treating dementia by increasing the activity of a brain chemical called acetylcholine. It is classified as a natural reversible acetylcholinesterase inhibitor.
High dosages of Galantamine may cause negative side effects. Before purchasing Galantamine capsules, consult with a doctor to determine whether this supplement is appropriate for you.



- Inhibits acetylcholinesterase enzyme in the brain
- Improves memory & mental performance
- Boosts concentration & brain cell health
What is Galantamine?
Related Topics
Galantamine is an alkaloid naturally extracted from the flowers and/or bulbs of a number of different plants.
Some of these include daffodils (Narcissus), Caucasian snowdrop (Galanthus caucasicus), Amaryllidaceae (Galanthus woronowii) and snowflake (Leucojum aestivum) and red spider lily (Lycoris radiata).
In laboratories, synthetic galantamine is produced and then marketed as pharmaceuticals including Razadyne ER, Razadyne, Lycoremine, Reminyl and Nivalin.
Galantamine has been approved by the FDA as a pharmaceutical treatment for Alzheimer’s disease.
Because it is a natural plant extract, it can also be legally sold as a dietary supplement in the United States. Galantamine 8 mg, 16 mg and 24 mg pills are available to purchase over the counter, without a prescription.
How Do Galantamine Pills Work?
Galantamine is a reversible acetylcholinesterase inhibitor. It blocks the effects of this enzyme which degrades the neurotransmitter acetylcholine.
In elderly patients with signs of cognitive dysfunction, low levels of acetylcholine may be detected. Using a product like Galantamine could increase the availability of acetylcholine, increasing its activity in the brain.
Acetylcholine plays a role in memory, cognitive function as well as muscle coordination. Reversible acetylcholinesterase inhibitors like galantamine 16 mg capsules demonstrate certain nootropic properties.
In the Unites States, galantamine tablets and capsules have been approved only for the treatment of Alzheimer’s symptoms.
In Russia and much of eastern Europe, galantamine is used for other conditions; including myopathy (muscle tissue disease), motor dysfunction, sensory dysfunction, CNS (central nervous system) disorders and myasthenia (abnormal muscle weakness).
Best Galantamine Dosage
Normally, galantamine doses range between 16 and 24 mg daily. These are taken orally in the form of pills, tablets and capsules. One sustained-release galantamine 24 mg capsule may be taken – or two or three 8 mg tablets can be used.
Your doctor can determine the best galantamine dosage for your unique health situation.
Do not use galantamine 8, 16 or 24 mg tablets or capsules if you are allergic to galantamine, or if you have advanced kidney or liver problems. Children should not be given galantamine.
If you feel that glantamine might be beneficial for you, then you should ask your doctor about it. Pharmaceutical-grade galantamine is prescription only. Even though this product can be purchased as a dietary supplement, it is still important to check with a doctor to make sure this product is safe for you to use.
Never take more glantamine than your doctor prescribed for you. In most cases, your doctor will increase the amount of galantamine you take daily over a period of several weeks or months. This allows you to monitor for side effects developing, or interactions with other substances you may use.
Galantamine Contraindications
Galantamine tablet use may be contraindicated for certain individuals. Be cautious if any of the following apply to you:
- Have heart problems including irregular heartbeat and sick sinus syndrome;
- Experience unexplainable fainting episodes or epileptic seizures;
- Have asthma of COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease);
- Are pregnant, planning to become pregnant – or nursing;
- Have difficulties urinating or have a urinary blockage;
- Have allergies to medicines, herbs or foods;
- Have bowel/intestinal/stomach disorders;
- Using any prescription medications;
- Using any herbal supplements;
Be cautious using galantamine capsules if you have dementia not related to Alzheimer’s disease. Also, discontinue using galantamine if you are scheduled for an upcoming surgery of any type.
Galantamine Side Effects
Galantamine 24 mg, 16 mg and 8 mg pills can cause adverse side effects. Some of the most common of these include dizziness, headaches and fainting. Some people have experienced indigestion, loss of appetite, vomiting, insomnia and weight loss as well.
Some serious side effects are also possible. Some of these include severe skin reactions, bloody stool, hallucinations, painful urination, depression, persistent diarrhea, vision problems and weakness of one side of the body.
The above list of possible galantamine side effects is not exhaustive. Talk with your doctor about all adverse effects possible with galantamine administration.
Galantamine Drug Interactions
Galantamine 8 mg tablets can interact adversely with a number of pharmaceuticals and herbal supplements.
Do not use galantamine with medications meant to slow your heart rate. Some of these include verapamil, digoxin and diltiazem.
NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) like aspirin and ibuprofen may interact with galantamine. If you take this supplement, it could increase the risk of bleeding, especially in the bowels and/or stomach.
Do not mix galantamine capsules with cholinergic agents like bethanechol. Do not use galantamine with acetylcholinesterase inhibitors like ketoconazole and donepezil.
Also, do not use with SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) like paroxetine. Galantamine may also decrease the efficacy of anticholinergic medications like scopolamine.
This list of possible interactions is not complete. Seek medical advice to understand the full scope of interaction potentials.
Galantamine 8 mg tablets, 16 mg capsules and 24 mg pills are used for memory and cognitive performance. This drug has been approved by the FDA for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. Do not use galantamine without your doctor’s recommendation.
- Cacabelos R1, Torrellas C, Carrera I, Cacabelos P, Corzo L, Fernández-Novoa L, Tellado I, Carril JC, Aliev G. Novel Therapeutic Strategies for Dementia. CNS Neurol Disord Drug Targets. 2016;15(2):141-241.
- Pohanka M1. Vaccination to Alzheimer Disease. Is it a Promising Tool or a Blind Way? Curr Med Chem. 2016;23(14):1432-41.
- Kobayashi H1, Ohnishi T1, Nakagawa R1, Yoshizawa K1. The comparative efficacy and safety of cholinesterase inhibitors in patients with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease: a Bayesian network meta-analysis. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2015 Dec 17. doi: 10.1002/gps.4405. [Epub ahead of print]
- Hroudová J1, Singh N1, Fišar Z1, Ghosh KK2. Progress in drug development for Alzheimer's disease: An overview in relation to mitochondrial energy metabolism. Eur J Med Chem. 2016 Mar 30. pii: S0223-5234(16)30266-5. doi: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2016.03.084. [Epub ahead of print]
- Wahba SM1, Darwish AS2, Kamal SM1.Ceria-containing uncoated and coated hydroxyapatite-based galantamine nanocomposites for formidable treatment of Alzheimer's disease in ovariectomized albino-rat model. Mater Sci Eng C Mater Biol Appl. 2016 Aug 1;65:151-63. doi: 10.1016/j.msec.2016.04.041. Epub 2016 Apr 14.
Article last updated on: March 12th, 2018 by Nootriment