Benzgalantamine

Benzgalantamine is used to treat the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease (AD; a brain disease that affects memory, thinking, and behavior). Benzgalantamine is in a class of medications called acetylcholinesterase inhibitors. It works by increasing the amount of a certain naturally occurring substance in the brain. 

Benzgalantamine comes as a tablet to take by mouth. Take with or without food two times a day. Take benzgalantamine at around the same times every day.

Take benzgalantamine exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Swallow the tablets whole; do not split, chew, or crush them.

Your doctor will probably start you on a low dose of benzgalantamine and gradually increase your dose, not more than once every 4 weeks.

Benzgalantamine controls the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease but does not cure it. Continue to take benzgalantamine even if you feel well. Do not stop taking benzgalantamine without talking to your doctor.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Before taking benzgalantamine,

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to this medication, galantamine, any other medications, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor or pharmacist about the allergy and what symptoms you had.
• you should know that some medications should not be taken with benzgalantamine. Other medications may cause dosing changes or extra monitoring when taken with benzgalantamine. Make sure you have discussed any medications you are currently taking or plan to take before starting benzgalantamine with your doctor and pharmacist. Before starting, stopping, or changing any medications while taking benzgalantamine, please get the advice of your doctor or pharmacist.
• you should know the following nonprescription or herbal products may interact with benzgalantamine: cimetidine, dimenhydrinate, meclizine, brompheniramine, cholorpheniramine, diphenhydramine,doxylamine, loperamide, aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen. Be sure to let your doctor and pharmacist know that you are taking these medications before you start taking benzgalantamine. Do not start any of these medications while taking benzgalantamine without discussing with your healthcare provider.
• tell your doctor if you have or have ever had bleeding in your stomach or intestines; an ulcer; heart problems or an irregular, slow, or fast heartbeat, seizures; difficulty urinating; asthma;chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (a group of lung disease including chronic bronchitis or emphysema); or kidney or liver or heart disease.
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking benzgalantamine, call your doctor.
• if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking benzgalantamine.
• ask your doctor about the safe use of alcoholic beverages while you are taking benzgalantamine. Alcohol may cause benzgalantamine to not work correctly or make the side effects worse.

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet. Ensure you are drinking plenty of fluids such as water while you are taking benzgalantamine.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you miss more than 3 days, call your doctor before restarting.

Benzgalantamine may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• decreased appetite
• depression
• dizziness
• headache
• nausea
• vomiting
• diarrhea
• weight loss

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately or get emergency medical treatment:

• rash, blistering or peeling of the skin, skin pain, swelling of lips, mouth, throat, tongue or face
• feeling weak, confusion, fainting, shortness of breath, chest pain, slowed heart beat
• bloody or black, tarry stools, vomiting blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds, severe abdominal pain
• difficulty urinating or weak urine flow, painful urination, blood in urine, or fever
• seizures
• new or worsening breathing problems, difficulty breathing, or shortness of breath

Benzgalantamine may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online (https://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).

Keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers are not child-resistant. Always lock safety caps. Place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. https://www.upandaway.org

Dispose of unneeded medications in a way so that pets, children, and other people cannot take them. Do not flush this medication down the toilet. Use a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist about take-back programs in your community. Visit the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website https://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for more information.

In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services at 911.

Symptoms of overdose may include:

• abdominal cramping
• nausea
• vomiting
• salivation
• lacrimation
• urination
• defecation
• sweating
• feeling weak, confusion, fainting, shortness of breath, chest pain, slowed heart beat
• difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• seizures

Keep all appointments with your doctor.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

Keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines, vitamins, minerals, and dietary supplements you are taking. Bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to the hospital. You should carry the list with you in case of emergencies.

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