Monograph Details
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Central Nervous System
> Alzheimer's dementia
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COGNEX |
| Manufacturer |
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Sciele Pharma, Inc. |
| Legal Classification |
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Rx
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| Pharmacological Class |
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Reversible cholinesterase inhibitor (acridine deriv). |
| Generic Name |
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Tacrine (as HCl) 10mg, 20mg, 30mg, 40mg; caps. |
| Indications |
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Mild to moderate dementia of the Alzheimer's type. |
| Children |
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Not applicable. |
| Adults |
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Initially: 10mg 4 times daily, increase by 40mg/day in intervals of at least 4 wks, in 4 equally divided doses; max 160mg daily. See literature if transaminase levels are increased or when rechallenging. |
| Contraindications |
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History of jaundice associated with tacrine; elevated total bilirubin >3mg/dL; +/or elevated ALT/SGPT with hypersensitivity reactions. |
| Precautions |
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Monitor liver enzymes every other week from at least week 4 to week 16, then once every 3 months. After dose increases or if ALT/SGPT >2xULN: see literature. Cardiovascular or liver disease. Asthma. History of ulcer. Abrupt worsening of symptoms upon withdrawal or when decreasing dose by >80mg/day. Pregnancy (Cat.C). Nursing mothers. |
| Interactions |
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Potentiates theophylline, cimetidine, others by inhibition of CYP450. Antagonizes anticholinergics. May potentiate succinylcholine-type muscle relaxants, other cholinesterase inhibitors, and cholinergic agonists (e.g., bethanecol). Antagonized by cigarette smoke. Monitor for GI bleed with concomitant NSAIDs. |
| Adverse Reactions |
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Increased serum transaminases, jaundice, GI and CNS disturbances, seizures, myalgia, anorexia, ataxia, rhinitis, rash. |
| How Supplied |
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Caps—120 |
| Additional Resources |
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• Related Prescribing Note |
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