Tacrine (Systemic)
Brand Names : Cognex, THA, tetrahydroaminoacridine
Category- Dementia symptoms treatment adjunct
DescriptionTacrine (TAK-reen) is used to treat the symptoms
of mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease. Tacrine will not cure Alzheimer's
disease, and it will not stop the disease from getting worse. However, tacrine
can improve thinking ability in some patients with Alzheimer's disease.
In Alzheimer's disease, many chemical changes take place in the brain.
One of the earliest and biggest changes is that there is less of a chemical
messenger called acetylcholine (ACh). ACh helps the brain to work properly.
Tacrine slows the breakdown of ACh, so it can build up and have a greater
effect. However, as Alzheimer's disease gets worse, there will be less and
less ACh, so tacrine may not work as well.
Tacrine may cause liver problems. While taking this medicine, you must
have blood tests regularly to see if the medicine is affecting your liver.
This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription, in the
following dosage form:
Brand NamesSome commonly used brand names are:
In the U.S. -
Other commonly used names are THA
and tetrahydroaminoacridine
.
† Not commercially available in Canada.
|