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Reminyl tablets, Reminyl oral solution and Reminyl XL capsules all contain the active ingredient galantamine hydrobromide, which is a type of medicine called an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor. It works by slowing the breakdown of a compound in the body called acetylcholine.
Acetylcholine is a natural compound known as a neurotransmitter. Neurotransmitters are stored in nerve cells in the brain and nervous system, and are involved in transmitting messages between the nerve cells. They are necessary for the normal functioning of the brain and nervous system. Acetylcholine in the brain is continually being released by nerve cells, and then broken down by another natural chemical called acetylcholinesterase.
One of the features of Alzheimer's disease appears to be a lower than normal level of acetylcholine in the brain. This is due in part to degeneration of brain cells, in particular those that normally release acetylcholine.
Galantamine increases the level of acetylcholine in the brain. It does this by preventing the action of acetylcholinesterase, the compound which normally breaks it down. This slows the breakdown of acetylcholine that is released from remaining undamaged nerve cells in the brain.
Galantamine also enhances the activity of the acetylcholine in the brain. The overall result of these two actions is an improvement in the levels and activity of acetylcholine in the brain. This improves the cognitive processes of thinking, learning and memory, and improves the symptoms of dementia and daily functioning in Alzheimer's disease.
Galantamine is used to treat mild to moderately severe dementia in people with Alzheimer's disease. However, it only slows the worsening of the disease, rather than being a cure. The benefit of the medicine should be reassessed on a regular basis and treatment should be stopped when it is considered that the medicine is no longer providing a beneficial effect.
Reminyl tablets and oral solution are known as immediate release dose forms. This means that the medicine is absorbed into the bloodstream from the gut soon after they are taken. These dose forms are taken twice a day.
Reminyl XL capsules are known as prolonged release capsules. They are designed to release the medicine slowly over the day as the capsule passes through the gut. This means the capsules only need to be taken once a day, in the morning. The capsules should be swallowed whole with liquid and not chewed or crushed, as this would stop their prolonged release action from working.
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