Galsya Capsule: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Galsya Capsule contains galantamine, an anti-dementia drug belonging to the cholinesterase inhibitor class. It is a prolonged-release capsule used for the symptomatic treatment of mild to moderately severe Alzheimer's disease, helping manage memory problems and confusion. The capsule is taken once daily and works by increasing levels of a brain chemical involved in memory and thought.

What is Galsya Capsule

Galsya SR is a prolonged-release capsule containing galantamine, used to treat symptoms of Alzheimer's disease.

Galsya Capsule uses

• Symptomatic treatment of mild to moderately severe dementia of the Alzheimer type
• Treats symptoms of Alzheimer's disease
• Used for mild-to-moderately severe Alzheimer's dementia
• Helps manage memory problems
• Helps manage confusion
• May support everyday cognitive functioning

Benefits of Galsya Capsule

• Helps boost levels of acetylcholine, a brain chemical involved in memory, awareness, and thought, easing symptoms of mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease
• Available as a prolonged-release capsule designed to be taken once daily to keep steady medication levels in the body

How Galsya Capsule works

Galantamine blocks an enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine, a brain chemical involved in memory and thinking. This increases acetylcholine activity, which can help improve brain function in people with Alzheimer's disease.

Galsya Capsule dosage

Take the capsule by mouth once a day in the morning, preferably with food. Swallow the capsule whole with a drink of liquid; do not chew or crush it. If you have trouble swallowing, the capsule can be opened and its contents swallowed whole with liquid, but the contents must not be chewed or crushed. Make sure you drink enough fluids while taking this medicine.

If switching from twice-daily galantamine tablets or oral solution, take the last dose of the old medicine in the evening and start this capsule the next morning. There is no rebound effect if the medicine is stopped suddenly, for example before surgery.

Available forms and strengths

• Prolonged-release capsule, hard

Side effects of Galsya Capsule

Common

• Nausea and vomiting, especially during the first few weeks or after a dose increase
• Diarrhea or stomach pain
• Decreased appetite and weight loss
• Dizziness, headache, or feeling faint
• Muscle tremors, spasms, or fatigue
• Tiredness and weakness
• Sleepiness or sluggishness
• Excessive sweating

Serious

• Severe skin reactions such as rash, peeling, blistering, or Stevens-Johnson syndrome
• Heart rhythm changes such as slow, fast, or irregular heartbeats, chest pain, or fainting spells
• Gastrointestinal bleeding, including severe stomach pain, vomiting blood or material resembling coffee grounds, or black tarry stools
• Inability to empty the bladder
• Hallucinations or seizures

Warnings and precautions

• This medicine should only be used under a doctor's supervision, and a caregiver should be available to make sure the patient takes the medicine regularly and correctly.
• Serious skin reactions have happened in people taking this medicine. Stop taking it right away if a skin rash appears and tell your doctor.
• People with Alzheimer's disease often lose weight, and this medicine may add to that. Your doctor should monitor your weight during treatment.
• This medicine should be used carefully in people with certain heart conditions, as it can slow the heart rate or affect heart rhythm.
• This medicine is not recommended for people with a blocked bowel, those recovering from bowel surgery, or those with a blocked bladder or recovering from bladder surgery.
• This medicine can cause seizures in some people, and seizure activity can also be a sign of Alzheimer's disease itself.
• Doctors should be careful prescribing this medicine to people with a history of severe asthma, breathing problems, or lung infections.
• There is no clinical data on using galantamine during pregnancy. Animal studies have shown it may harm reproduction, so it should be used with caution in pregnant women.
• It is not known if galantamine passes into breast milk, so women taking this medicine should not breastfeed.
• This medicine should not be used in people with very severe kidney problems. People with mild to moderate kidney impairment can usually take the usual dose.
• People with moderate liver impairment need a lower starting dose and should not exceed a certain daily amount. This medicine must not be used in people with severe liver impairment.
• Alcohol may worsen dizziness or other side effects and is best limited.
• This medicine can cause dizziness and sleepiness, especially during the first weeks of treatment, which may affect your ability to drive or use machines.

Storage

• Do not store above 30°C
• Store in the original package in order to protect from moisture

When to see a doctor

• Get medical help right away if you notice a skin rash, peeling, or blistering.
• Get medical help right away if you have a slow, fast, or irregular heartbeat, chest pain, or fainting.
• Get medical help right away if you have severe stomach pain, vomit blood or material that looks like coffee grounds, or have black tarry stools.
• Get medical help right away if you are unable to empty your bladder.
• Get medical help right away if you experience hallucinations or seizures.

Alternatives

• Donepezil
• Rivastigmine
• Memantine