Alternative Medicine - Interest has revived in recent years in the use of non-traditional approaches to treating disease. Herbs, nutritional supplements, acupuncture, yoga, and various types of massage are just a few of these methods.
   [Suggest to a Friend]
[Subscribe to Newsletter]






  Bookmark this Page

Alternative Medicine



Table of Contents > Drugs >  Tacrine
Tacrine
Pronunciation
Brand Names
Therapeutic Categories
Reasons not to take this medicine
What is this medicine used for?
How does it work?
How is it best taken?
What do I do if I miss a dose?
What are the precautions when taking this medicine?
What are the common side effects of this medicine?
What should I monitor?
Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately
How should I store this medicine?
General statements

Pronunciation
(TAK reen)

Brand Names
Cognex®

Therapeutic Categories
Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitor (Central)

Reasons not to take this medicine

  • If you have an allergy to tacrine or any other part of the medicine.
  • If you ever turned yellow (jaundice) when taking this medicine.


What is this medicine used for?

  • This medicine is used in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.


How does it work?

  • Tacrine helps to improve the balance of a chemical in the brain. It prevents the destruction of this chemical.


How is it best taken?

  • Take on an empty stomach. Take 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals.
  • May take with food if this medicine causes an upset stomach.


What do I do if I miss a dose?

  • Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
  • If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to your regular schedule.
  • Do not take a double dose or extra doses.
  • Do not change dose or stop taking medicine without talking with healthcare provider.


What are the precautions when taking this medicine?

  • Use caution if you have liver disease. Talk with healthcare provider.
  • If you have stomach ulcers or bleeding, tell healthcare provider.
  • If you have asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, tell healthcare provider.
  • If you have urinary tract obstruction as seen in prostatic hypertrophy, tell healthcare provider.
  • Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
  • Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant.
  • Tell healthcare provider if you are breast-feeding.


What are the common side effects of this medicine?

  • Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard candy, or chewing gum may help.
  • Dizziness. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities that require you to be alert until you see how this medicine affects you.
  • Diarrhea.
  • Headache.
  • Increases in liver function tests.


What should I monitor?

  • Check blood tests (liver function). Talk with healthcare provider.


Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately

  • Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
  • Severe nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
  • Nausea, vomiting, belly pain, feeling tired, dark urine, yellow eyes or skin, not hungry.
  • Any rash.


How should I store this medicine?

  • Store in a tight container at room temperature. Protect from moisture.


General statements

  • Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.
  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
  • Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
  • Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs, vitamins).


Copyright © 1978-2001 Lexi-Comp Inc. All Rights Reserved

 
The publisher does not accept any responsibility for the accuracy of the information or the consequences arising from the application, use, or misuse of any of the information contained herein, including any injury and/or damage to any person or property as a matter of product liability, negligence, or otherwise. No warranty, expressed or implied, is made in regard to the contents of this material. No claims or endorsements are made for any drugs or compounds currently marketed or in investigative use. This material is not intended as a guide to self-medication. The reader is advised to discuss the information provided here with a doctor, pharmacist, nurse, or other authorized healthcare practitioner and to check product information (including package inserts) regarding dosage, precautions, warnings, interactions, and contraindications before administering any drug, herb, or supplement discussed herein.

  
  

This is your opportunity to give feedback or ideas about how we can improve this area!

Enter your e-mail address:

Enter your comments here:

Do you find this section:
Very useful    Moderately useful    Not at all useful



Copyright © 2004. All rights reserved. [ Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | About Us | Become a sponsor ]