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The Clinical Efficacy and Safety of Galantamine in the Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 November 2014

Abstract

Alzheimer's disease is a progressive, neurodegenerative condition characterized by deficits in cognition, inability to perform activities of daily living, and alterations in behavior. Galantamine hydrobromide is the newest acetylcholin esterase inhibitor (AChEI) approved in the United State for the treatment of mild-to-moderate AD. The safety and efficacy of galantamine has been demonstrated in multiple randomized, Phase III trials of > 2,600 patients with mild-to-moderate AD. Studies have found that galantamine improved or maintained performance in all domains of AD (cognition, function, behavior, and caregiver burden in the short term and slowed the decline in performance or maintained baseline performance through 12 months. The dual mechanism of action may make galantamine a reasonable treatment option for both newly diagnosed patients and patients who have not benefitted from or have poorly tolerated current therapy.

Type
Review Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2004

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