galantamine
Brand names: Razadyne
Galantamine extended-release capsules help treat mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease. It can improve memory and thinking.
Drug Pricing (NADAC)
Generic Price
$0.85/unit
Generic Available
Yes (5 manufacturers)
Pricing data from NADAC (CMS), effective December 18, 2024. Compare all drug costs →
What it does
This medicine treats mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease.
Common side effects
Nausea, Vomiting, Diarrhea
Key warnings
Stop taking galantamine right away if you get a skin rash.
How It Works
Galantamine is a cholinesterase inhibitor. It works by increasing the amount of a certain chemical in the brain. This chemical helps nerve cells communicate better.
How to Take It
Take galantamine capsules once a day in the morning, preferably with food. Swallow the capsule whole; do not crush or chew it. Be sure to drink enough fluids while taking this medicine. The usual starting dose is 8 mg per day.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
It is not known if galantamine is safe to take during pregnancy. Animal studies suggest a risk to the fetus. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is also not known if galantamine passes into breast milk, so talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time.
Storage
Store galantamine capsules at room temperature, away from moisture and heat, and keep out of reach of children.
Side Effects (from patient reports)
Based on 2,823 FDA adverse event reports.
FDA Adverse Event Report Analysis
Detailed analysis of 1,577 reports from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Reports span 2004–2025.
Total Reports
1,577
Death-Related Reports
191
Hospitalization Reports
810
Top Indication
Product Used For Unknown Indication
Gender Distribution
Age Distribution
Most Reported Adverse Reactions (FAERS)
| # | Reaction | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | FALL | 375 |
| 2 | COGNITIVE DISORDER | 306 |
| 3 | CONSTIPATION | 291 |
| 4 | BALANCE DISORDER | 285 |
| 5 | HYPOTENSION | 285 |
| 6 | ORTHOSTATIC HYPOTENSION | 280 |
| 7 | SEDATION | 263 |
| 8 | PAIN | 247 |
| 9 | TOXICITY TO VARIOUS AGENTS | 246 |
| 10 | DEPRESSED LEVEL OF CONSCIOUSNESS | 245 |
| 11 | SEDATION COMPLICATION | 232 |
| 12 | CREATININE RENAL CLEARANCE DECREASED | 231 |
| 13 | BLOOD CALCIUM DECREASED | 230 |
| 14 | MOBILITY DECREASED | 226 |
| 15 | DRUG INTERACTION | 123 |
Reactions in Death Reports
Reactions in Hospitalization Reports
Source: FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) Reports are voluntary and do not establish causation
Serious Warnings
Stop taking galantamine right away if you get a skin rash. This medicine can cause serious skin reactions. This medicine can also slow your heart rate or cause fainting.
Known Drug Interactions
7.2 Use with Cholinomimetics and Other Cholinesterase Inhibitors A synergistic effect is expected when cholinesterase inhibitors are given concurrently with succinylcholine, other cholinesterase inhibitors, similar neuromuscular blocking agents or cholinergic agonists such as bethanechol [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] .
Mechanism: Both drugs increase the activity of a specific chemical in the body's nervous system. Taking them together can make their effects much stronger than usual.
What to do: Your doctor should watch you closely for extra side effects if you take both. They may need to change your dose to keep you safe.
Alitretinoin (oral) Cabergoline Cannabinoids Cinacalcet Galantamine Ivacaftor Monitor for adverse reactions.
Mechanism: Itraconazole slows the breakdown of galantamine in your body. This can cause the medicine to build up to higher levels than intended.
What to do: You should be monitored for side effects while taking these two drugs at the same time.
Common Questions
What should I do if I feel sick to my stomach?
Can I drive while taking this medicine?
How long will it take to see if this medicine is working?
What if I have kidney problems?
What if I have liver problems?
Can I stop taking this medicine suddenly?
Will this medicine cure Alzheimer's disease?
What other medicines might interact with Galantamine?
What should I do if I notice a skin rash?
What dose of Galantamine is effective?
What are the common side effects of galantamine?
Does galantamine interact with other medications?
What drug class is galantamine?
Is galantamine safe during pregnancy?
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What the FDA Data Shows for galantamine
The FDA label for galantamine (sold under brand names such as Razadyne) classifies it as a prescription-only medication in the Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitor class. This medicine treats mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease. Official labeling lists 6 commonly reported side effects, including Nausea, Vomiting, Diarrhea.
Post-market surveillance from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) captures real-world experience. For this drug, FAERS contains 2,823 voluntary reports. The database also lists 2 documented drug interactions derived from FDA labeling, with the top-flagged interaction rated minor severity. NADAC pricing from CMS shows a generic unit cost of $0.85.
Report counts do not establish causation — a FAERS entry documents a temporal association, not proof that the drug produced the outcome. Widely prescribed medications naturally accumulate more reports than niche therapies, so raw totals must be interpreted alongside total exposure. Shortage status, recall history, and patent information further shape supply and switching decisions. This page summarizes public FDA data for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice — always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
Data Sources
Drug labeling: FDA Drug Labels (SPL/DailyMed). Adverse events: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Pricing: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC).
FAERS reports are voluntary and do not establish causation. Drug interactions are derived from FDA labeling and clinical references. Always consult a healthcare professional before making medication decisions.
Last updated: September 12, 2025
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
All federal data sources used on this page
- FDA Orange Book — approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence. accessdata.fda.gov/cder/ob
- FDA DailyMed — NIH-hosted drug labeling for FDA-approved meds. dailymed.nlm.nih.gov
- FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) — post-marketing safety surveillance. fda.gov/drugs/faers
- NLM RxNorm — standardized clinical drug nomenclature. nlm.nih.gov/research/umls/rxnorm
- CMS Medicare Part B Drug Average Sales Price Files — federal drug pricing data. cms.gov/medicare/part-b-drugs/asp
- FDA Drug Shortages Database — current and resolved drug shortage tracking. accessdata.fda.gov/drugshortages