title: Safety and tolerability of galantamine SA in dementia patients transitioned from donepezil.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To demonstrate the safety and tolerability of galantamine SA in dementia patients transitioned from donepezil.
  
  
  METHODS
  One group, pretest-posttest
  
  
  METHODS
  Veterans Affairs (VA) hospital serving U.S. veterans.
  
  
  METHODS
  Charts of 193 patients changed from donepezil to galantamine SA were reviewed.
  
  
  METHODS
  In an effort to limit the cost of medications being used for Alzheimer's disease, the Bedford VA Hospital began an initiative to transition patients to the generic sustained-release galantamine SA. A chart review was performed using the VA computerized patient record for all patients transitioned from either donepezil or rivastigmine to galantamine. Progress notes were reviewed for the first three months following initial medication exchange to determine galantamine tolerability and reasons for discontinuation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Galantamine SA tolerability at three months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 193 patients transitioned to galantamine SA, 94.3% remained on the drug at three months. The most common reason for medication withdrawal was mental status change (n = 5).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Transition to galantamine SA in a real world clinical setting was well-tolerated among patients with dementia.
authors.affiliation: Geriatric Research Education Clinical Center, Bedford Veterans Affairs Hospital, Bedford, Massachusetts.
authors.forename: Michael H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Rosenbloom
authors.forename: Jeanne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: Dan R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Berlowitz
authors.forename: Andrew E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Budson
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003704:Dementia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000077265:Donepezil; D005702:Galantamine / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007189:Indans / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010880:Piperidines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors; D007189:Indans; D010880:Piperidines; D005702:Galantamine; D000077265:Donepezil