Galanthamine Hydrobromide in a Long-Term Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease

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Abstract
We investigated the long-term administration of galanthamine hydrobromide, a cholinesterase inhibitor, in Alzheimer''s disease. The patient was at an advanced stage of the disease and remained unchanged with respect to the results of psychometrical tests. The clinical global impression, however, improved with dosage, and clinical improvement was associated with a remarkable and selective inhibition of acetylcholinesterase activity. Galanthamine was well tolerated without adverse effects or pathological changes in laboratory values, although high doses were given. Intravenous administration of galanthamine to a healthy volunteer revealed that the time course of acetylcholinesterase inhibition and plasma levels of the drug were closely correlated. The pharmacokinetics of galanthamine behaved linearly over the entire dosage range; plasma levels were equal to the concentrations in erythrocytes, and the elimination half-life was even longer than 4.5 h, as described by Westra and co-workers, in anaesthetized patients.

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