Galantamine is used for the treatment of mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease and various other memory impairments, in particular those of vascular origin. Galantamine is a competitive and reversible cholinesterase inhibitor. It reduces the action of AChE and therefore tends to increase the concentration of acetylcholine in the brain. It is hypothesized that this action might relieve some of the symptoms of Alzheimer's. It is also an allosteric ligand at nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. It has shown activity in modulating the nicotinic cholinergic receptors on cholinergic neurons to increase acetylcholine release. Absorption of galantamine is rapid and complete and shows linear pharmacokinetics. It is well absorbed with absolute oral bioavailability between 80 and 100%. It has a half-life of seven hours. Peak effect of inhibiting acetylcholinesterase was achieved about one hour after a single oral dose of 8 mg in some healthy volunteers.
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