TACRINE

Description: Tacrine acts inactivates cholinesterase, inhibiting hydrolysis of acetylcholine, prolonging their action in the brain.

Uses

Mild to moderate dementia (eg, impairment of memory or judgement, abstract thinking, changes in personality) in patients with Alzheimer disease.

Tacrine is a cholinesterase inhibitor and it increases the amount of a certain substance (acetylcholine) in the brain.

Warnings

Tacrine has been assigned to pregnancy category C by the FDA.

No data on the excretion of tacrine into human milk.

Side Effects

  • Increased alanine aminotransferase (ALT) as a result fo liver damage *adjust dose
  • nausea
  • indigestion
  • vomiting
  • diarrhea
  • abdominal pain
  • skin rash

Precautions

Precautions

Safety and effectiveness have not been established in pediatric patients (less than 18 years of age).

 

Drug Interactions

  • Atropine
  • benztropine (Cogentin)
  • trihexyphenidyl (Artane)

Overdose & Brands

Dosing

  • Recommended dose: 10 to 20 mg four times daily
  • Maximum dose: 160 mg daily
  • Tacrine is usually taken on an empty stomach (one hour before, or two hours after meals) unless it causes stomach upset

Storage: Capsules should be stored at room temperature, 15-30 C (59-86 F).

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