Many people are faced with certain lesions of the nervous system. And sometimes you just can not do without taking cholinesterase inhibitors. Galantamine hydrobromide belongs to this group of substances. Of course, patients, faced with the need for such therapy, are looking for any additional information. What does the therapy look like? In what cases do doctors recommend taking the remedy? What is galantamine hydrobromide? Pharmacology, contraindications, possible complications, reviews are those moments that are worth considering.
Trade name, composition and form of release
Galantamine hydrobromide (trade name - “Galantamine”) is a white, water-insoluble microcrystalline powder with a characteristic bitter taste. This is an alkaloid derivative that is isolated from Voronov's snowdrop tubers.
This drug is available in the form of tablets with a hard shell, which provides a prolonged effect. In the pharmacy, you can also buy bottles of powder intended for the preparation of a solution, as well as ready-made liquid in ampoules for intravenous or subcutaneous administration.
Galantamine hydrobromide: mechanism of action
For starters, you should familiarize yourself with the general information. Galantamine hydrobromide has a pronounced anticholinesterase activity.
The drug enhances the effects of endogenous acetylcholine and inhibits the activity of acetylcholinesterase. Thanks to these properties, the drug facilitates the processes of conducting impulses in the neuromuscular synapses. Thus, during therapy, there is an increase in the processes of excitation in reflex zones. One of the effects is an increase in the tone of skeletal and smooth muscles. There is also an increase in the secretion of sweat and digestive glands.
The medicine is widely used in the treatment of cerebral palsy, as it improves the conductivity of neuromuscular impulses, increases the contractile activity of muscle tissue. Since the drug acts on the cholinergic system, the improvement of cognitive functions is observed in patients with dementia during therapy.
Pharmacokinetics Information
If we are talking about oral administration, the active substance of the drug is rapidly absorbed by the walls of the digestive tract. The bioavailability of the drug is 90%. It is worth noting that eating slows down the adsorption process.
The maximum concentration of the drug is observed after 1-1.5 hours. The half-life is 7-8 hours. Metabolites are excreted mainly by the kidneys.
When should I take the medicine? List of indications
Of course, many patients are interested in the question of when it is advisable to use drugs containing galantamine hydrobromide. Indications for use are quite diverse.
- Tablets and capsules are prescribed for patients with various chronic cerebrovascular disorders, as well as Alzheimer's type dementia. In addition, the medicine is included in the treatment regimen for neuritis, muscular dystrophy, radiculitis, polio, cerebral palsy.
- In neurology, drug injections are prescribed for injuries of various structures of the nervous system, inflammatory lesions of the spinal cord, polyneuritis and neuropathies, bedwetting (neurogenic origin), idiopathic facial paresis.
- Galantamine hydrobromide is also used in surgery. Injections are necessary for patients in the postoperative period to treat / prevent complications such as atony of the bladder and intestines.
- For various pathologies of the nervous system, galantamine solution can be used during the iontophoresis procedure.
- Sometimes a medicine is given to patients before radiological examinations of the digestive system - this makes it possible to obtain more accurate results.
- The drug is prescribed to relieve symptoms in case of an overdose of morphine and some other drugs.
The drug "Galantamine hydrobromide": instructions for use
Immediately it is worth saying that the dosage largely depends on the age and condition of the patient, therefore, is determined individually. As a rule, the initial daily dose of galantamine hydrobromide is 10 mg. Gradually, the amount is increased - patients take 5-10 mg three or four times a day. Therapy in most cases lasts about 4-5 weeks. When it comes to tablets, it is best to drink them after meals.
The solution can be administered either subcutaneously or intravenously. If we are talking about the treatment of impaired motor activity, then taking the drug is best combined with physiotherapy, in particular massage and therapeutic exercises.
Contraindications: when the drug should not be taken?
In all cases, can this medicine be used? In fact, not all patients are allowed to take medications containing galantamine hydrobromide. You should familiarize yourself with the list of contraindications before starting therapy.
- The drug, of course, is not prescribed for people with hypersensitivity to any of the constituent components (a list of constituent substances must be studied).
- The medicine has some age restrictions. Tablets are taken by children over nine years of age. The solution is not administered to babies in the first year of life.
- Since the drug acts on the nervous system, it cannot be taken by patients with various forms of epilepsy.
- The list of contraindications include some diseases of the cardiovascular system, including bradycardia, various forms of angina pectoris, as well as arterial hypertension and chronic forms of heart failure.
- The drug is not taken with mechanical bowel obstruction.
- Contraindications also include obstructive diseases of the respiratory and digestive systems.
- The medicine is also not prescribed for patients with various liver pathologies.
Information on possible side effects
Despite the fact that therapy is generally well tolerated, the likelihood of side effects cannot be ruled out. The list of possible complications is quite large.
- Some patients have disorders of the heart, hematopoietic system, and blood vessels. Therapy may be accompanied by fluctuations in blood pressure, tachycardia, thrombocytopenia, anemia. Very rarely, the use of the drug leads to the development of orthostatic collapse, ischemia and myocardial infarction.
- Possible reactions from the digestive system, in particular nausea, abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea. Other possible complications include hepatitis, diverticulitis, anorexia, dysphagia, ganstroenteritis, gastritis. Some patients complain of dry mouth or, conversely, increased excretion of saliva.
- Sometimes, against the background of therapy, severe muscle weakness or cramping appears.
- Since the drug affects all smooth muscles, treatment can affect the functioning of the urinary tract. Adverse reactions include urinary retention, enuresis, renal colic, and frequent urination.
- Possible reactions from the nervous system. Sometimes patients complain of lethargy, tremor, a change in taste. Occasionally, therapy is accompanied by the appearance of visual and auditory hallucinations. Other side effects include persistent drowsiness, fatigue, decreased performance, headaches, aphasia, and tinnitus. It is also possible the appearance of parasthesia, visual impairment, paranoid reactions.
Is an overdose possible? Symptom and Treatment Information
What can happen if you take too much of a drug containing galantamine hydrobromide? The instruction contains information that an overdose is possible. In some patients, with the introduction of high doses of the drug, vomiting, nausea, and spastic abdominal pain appear. Other symptoms of overdose include lacrimation, increased excretion of saliva, severe muscle weakness, fecal and urinary incontinence, which is associated with loss of tone by smooth muscles.
In the most severe cases, patients develop cramps. An overdose can lead to convulsions, collapse, and airway blockage, which can be fatal.
As for treatment, if necessary, gastric lavage is performed, after which sorbents are prescribed to patients. Next, therapy with anticholinergics is performed .
How much is the drug?
In modern medicine, in particular in neurology, galantamine hydrobromide is widely used (in a prescription in Latin the doctor will write "Galantamini hydrobromidum"). But for many patients, the important point is the cost of the drug.
A package consisting of 56 prolonged-release tablets will cost approximately 1800-1900 rubles. The cost of ten ampoules ranges from 1200 to 1400 rubles. Prices are, of course, high, but the medicine really helps, and sometimes its use is vital.
Are there substitutes for medication?
What to do, is the patient unable to take galantamine hydrobromide? It is worth saying right away that there are many analogues of the drug in the modern pharmaceutical market. For example, such agents as Nivalin and Galantamine Hydrobromide are characterized by the same mechanism of action — they contain the same active substance. Among the effective analogues is the medicine Reminal.
Of course, experimenting with such drugs on your own is by no means worth it. A prescription for galantamine hydrobromide (any drugs that contain this substance) can be written only by the attending physician, who knows for sure all the nuances of the patient’s medical history and medical history.
What do the experts say? Reviews and opinions of patients
Unfortunately, many people are faced with the need to take medications whose active ingredient is galantamine hydrobromide. Of course, before starting therapy, it is worth studying not only the official instructions, but also the reviews.
Experts speak well about the medicine. It really helps to cope with the symptoms of neurological diseases. Despite an impressive list of possible side effects, in fact complications are recorded extremely rarely - most often people tolerate therapy well. Patients themselves also report significant improvement. The disadvantages include, perhaps, a high cost, although health and well-being are worth any money.