Galanthamine.
Galanthamine is a selective acetylcholinesterase inhibitor which has shown potential for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Galanthamine is selective for acetylcholinesterase versus butyrylcholinesterase; however, the drug produces greater enzyme inhibition in human erythrocytes than in human brain tissue. Galanthamine attenuates drug-and lesion-induced cognitive deficits in animal models of learning and memory. Preliminary results in patients with Alzheimer's disease have reported galanthamine to be associated with a reduction in cognitive deterioration on some neuropsychiatric rating scales. Nausea and vomiting are the most commonly reported adverse effects; liver toxicity has not been reported to date.
Fulton
B
B
Adis International Limited, Auckland, New Zealand.
Benfield
P
P
D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000188:drug therapy; D000818:Animals; D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D005702:Galantamine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans
D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors; D005702:Galantamine