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The efficacy of galantamine in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease: comparison of patients previously treated with acetylcholinesterase inhibitors to patients with no prior exposure
Author(s) -
Mintzer J. E.,
Kershaw P.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
international journal of geriatric psychiatry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.28
H-Index - 129
eISSN - 1099-1166
pISSN - 0885-6230
DOI - 10.1002/gps.826
Subject(s) - galantamine , acetylcholinesterase , placebo , acetylcholinesterase inhibitor , medicine , alzheimer's disease , adverse effect , post hoc analysis , rivastigmine , donepezil , psychology , disease , dementia , biology , pathology , biochemistry , alternative medicine , enzyme
Background Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEIs) can provide benefits at the cognitive, behavioral, and functional levels to patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). With more AChEIs now available, treatment considerations may include whether the patient has had prior exposure to an AChEI. Objective To compare the effects of galantamine in patients with AD who were previously exposed to AChEIs with its effects in patients with AD who had no previous exposure, using a post hoc analysis. Results Patients in groups treated with galantamine 16 mg/day and 24 mg/day achieved statistically significant improvements in ADAS‐cog/11 scores in comparison with those who received placebo (naive: p = 0.003 and 0.005, respectively; prior exposure: p < 0.001 and 0.001, respectively). Similarly, a greater number of patients treated with galantamine 16 mg/day and 24 mg/day exhibited no change or improvement in their CIBIC‐plus scores compared to patients who received placebo (naive: p < 0.001 and p = 0.077, respectively; prior exposure: p = 0.005 and p = 0.001, respectively). There were no significant differences in adverse events between naive patients and those with prior exposure to AChEIs. Conclusions Galantamine is effective and safe in patients with AD, regardless of previous exposure to AChEIs. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.