Galantamine
Sounds like 'ga-lan-tah-meen'
Key points about galantamine
- Galantamine is used to treat dementia associated with Alzheimer's disease.
- Galantamine is also called Reminyl®
- Find out how to take it safely and possible side effects.

Galantamine is in a class of medications called cholinesterase inhibitors. It's used to treat mild-to-moderate dementia due to Alzheimer's disease. Galantamine may also be used for people with mixed dementia, dementia in Parkinson's disease and dementia with Lewy bodies.
Galantamine helps to ease the symptoms of mild to moderate dementia in Alzheimer's disease, such as memory loss, but doesn't cure it. Galantamine works by increasing the amount of a chemical in the brain called acetylcholine, known to be lower in people living with dementia due to Alzheimer's disease. Read more about medicines for dementia.
Note: this medicine is not funded so you will need to pay the full price of the medicine. Talk to your doctor about this before starting.
-
In Aotearoa New Zealand galantamine is available as capsules (8mg, 16mg and 24mg).
- The usual starting dose of galantamine is 8 milligrams (mg) daily.
- Your doctor will start you on a low dose and increase the dose slowly over several weeks. This allows your body to get used to the medicine and reduces side effects.
- After at least one month, your doctor will assess your response and may increase your dose to 16 milligrams daily. Some people may need higher doses of 24 milligrams daily.
- Always take your galantamine exactly as your doctor has told you. The pharmacy label on your medicine will tell you how much to take, how often to take it, and any special instructions.
- Timing: Take galantamine once a day, in the morning, preferably with food. Swallow your capsules whole with a glass of water – don't chew them.
- Missed dose: If you forget to take your dose, take it as soon as you remember. But if it is nearly time for your next dose, just take the next dose at the right time. Don't take double the dose.
- Keep taking galantamine every day. It may take a while before you experience the full benefits of the medicine. If you forget to take galantamine for more than a few days, talk to your doctor before starting to take it again. You may need to re-start galantamine on a lower dose. Read more about tips when taking medicines for dementia.
Here are some things to know when you're taking galantamine. Other things may be important as well, so ask your healthcare provider what you should know about.
You may need regular tests
While you're taking galantamine you'll need to have regular tests. Before you start you will need an ECG to check your heart. You'll need to see your doctor regularly to check:
- your heart rate
- response to treatment
- if the dose is right
- if this medicine is right for you.
Taking other medicines and supplements
Galantamine can interact with some medicines, herbal supplements and rongoā Māori, so check with your doctor or pharmacist before starting galantamine and before starting any new products.
Galantamine may affect your ability to drive
Galantamine can impair your ability to do tasks such as driving or using machines. Alcohol makes this worse. Discuss your risk with your healthcare provider.
Tell your healthcare providers
Make sure you tell anyone providing you with health, dental or medical care that you are taking galantamine. This is important if you an operation with a general anaesthetic.
Let your doctor know if you have ever had problems with your bladder, heart, stomach or if you have asthma, lung conditions or seizures.
Like all medicines, galantamine can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them. Often side effects improve as your body gets used to the new medicine.
Serious skin reactions
Galantamine can cause serious skin reactions such as a rash with peeling skin. You may also get symptoms like fever, flu-like symptoms and blisters in the mouth, eyes, or genitals. Stop the medication and contact your doctor immediately at the first sign of skin rash.
Other side effects
Side effects | What should I do? |
---|---|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Read more about medicines and side effects and reporting a reaction you think might be a side effect. |
Galantamine(external link) NZ Formulary Patient Information
Reminyl(external link) Medsafe Consumer Information Sheet
References
- The pharmacological management of Alzheimer’s disease – the place of donepezil(external link) BPAC, NZ, 2010
- Antipsychotics in dementia – best practice guide(external link) BPAC, NZ
- Managing patients with dementia – what is the role of antipsychotics?(external link) BPAC, NZ, 2013
- Galantamine(external link) New Zealand Formulary
Brochures
Medicines and side effects
Healthify He Puna Waiora, NZ, 2024
Health Quality and Safety Commission, NZ, 2019 English, te reo Māori
Credits: Sandra Ponen, Pharmacist, Healthify He Puna Waiora. Healthify is brought to you by Health Navigator Charitable Trust.
Reviewed by: Dr Joanna Wang, Old Age Psychiatrist; Angela Lambie, Pharmacist
Last reviewed: