Tacrine

Tacrine is used to treat the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease, but it does not cure the disease. This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Tacrine comes as a capsule to take by mouth. It usually is taken four times a day. Take tacrine on an empty stomach (1 hour before or 2 hours after meals). Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take tacrine exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. Continue to take tacrine even if you feel well. Do not stop taking tacrine without talking to your doctor, especially if you have taken large doses for a long time. Your doctor probably will decrease your dose gradually. This drug must be taken regularly for a few weeks before its full effect is felt.

<p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Tacrine may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

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upset stomach</li>
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vomiting</li>
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diarrhea</li>
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loss of balance</li>
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heartburn</li>
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muscle aches</li>
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headache</li>
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loss of appetite</li></ul></p> <p></p> <p>If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

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rash</li>
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yellowing of the skin or eyes</li>
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changes in stool color</li>
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stomach pain</li>
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difficulty urinating</li></ul>If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at <a href='http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch'>http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch</a>] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].</p>

Before taking tacrine, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to tacrine or any other drugs. tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially atropine-like drugs (belladonna, dicyclomine, and scopolamine); bethanechol; cimetidine (Tagamet); cold, sinus, and allergy medications; fluvoxamine (Luvox); neostigmine; nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicine such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, or Nuprin), indomethacin (Indocin), and naproxen (Naprosyn); theophylline (Theo-Dur); ulcer medications; and vitamins. tell your doctor if you have or have ever had ulcers; seizures; problems with your urinary system; asthma; or blood vessel, heart, kidney, liver, lung, or stomach disease. Also tell your doctor if you have experienced yellowing of the skin or eyes when you took tacrine in the past. if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking tacrine. you should know that this drug may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this drug affects you. remember that alcohol can add to the drowsiness caused by this drug.

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.