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Tacrine |
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What is Tacrine and why is it prescribed? Tacrine is used for the treatment of mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease. Do not abruptly stop Tacrine treatment, or reduce the dosage, without consulting the doctor. A sudden reduction can cause the person you are caring for to become more disturbed and forgetful. Taking more Tacrine than the doctor advises can also cause serious problems. How should you take Tacrine? Follow your doctors directions for taking Tacrine. Tacrine will work better if taken at regular intervals, usually 4 times a day. Tacrine is best taken between meals but if it is irritating to the stomach, the doctor may advise taking it with meals. If Tacrine is not taken regularly, as the doctor directs, the condition may get worse. If you miss a dose give the forgotten dose as soon as possible. If it is within two hours of the next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to the regular schedule. Do not double the doses. Store Tacrine at room temperature away from moisture. Are there any Tacrine side effects? Tacrine side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity, inform your doctor as soon as possible. More common Tacrine side effects may include abdominal pain, abnormal thinking, agitation, anxiety, chest pain, clumsiness or unsteadiness, confusion, constipation, coughing, depression, diarrhea, dizziness, fatigue, flushing, frequent urination, gas, headache, inflamed nasal passages, insomnia, indigestion, liver function disorders, loss of appetite, muscle pain, nausea, rash, sleepiness, upper respiratory infection, urinary tract infection, vomiting, and weight loss. Less common Tacrine side effects may include back pain, hallucinations, hostile attitude, purple or red spots on the skin, skin discoloration, tremor, and weakness. Be sure to report any symptoms that develop while on Tacrine therapy. You should alert the doctor if the person you are caring for develops nausea, vomiting, loose stools, or diarrhea at the start of therapy or when the dosage is increased. Later in therapy, be on the lookout for rash or fever, yellowing of the eyes and skin, or changes in the color of the stool. What are the possible food and drug interactions when taking Tacrine? If Tacrine is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. Be sure to inform your doctor of all the prescription and over the counter medications you are taking. It is especially important that you check with your doctor before combining Tacrine with Antispasmodic drugs (such as Bentyl and Levsin), Bethanechol chloride (Urecholine), Cimetidine (Tagamet), Fluvoxamine (Luvox), Muscle stimulants (such as Mestinon, Mytelase, and Prostigmin), Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (such as Aleve, Motrin, and Naprosyn), The Parkinson's medications (Artane and Cogentin), or Theophylline (Theo-Dur). Are there any special warnings about Tacrine? Use Tacrine with caution if the person you are caring for has a history of liver disease, certain heart disorders, stomach ulcers, or asthma. Because of the risk of liver problems when taking Tacrine, the doctor will schedule blood tests to monitor liver function every other week from at least the fourth week to the sixteenth week of treatment. After 16 weeks, blood tests will be given monthly for 2 months and every 3 months after that. If the person you are caring for develops any liver problems, the doctor may temporarily discontinue Tacrine treatment until further testing shows that the liver has returned to normal. If the doctor resumes Tacrine treatment, regular blood tests will be conducted again. Before having any surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor that the person is being treated with Tacrine. Tacrine can cause seizures, and may cause difficulty urinating. |
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Information on this website is provided for educational purposes and should not replace discussions with your doctor. |
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