Abstract | OBJECTIVES: MATERIALS AND METHODS: Subjects previously receiving donepezil for mild-to-moderate AD were enrolled in a 12-week randomized, open-label study. After screening and a 7-day washout, subjects were randomly allocated to galantamine fast (8 mg/week increments) or slow (8 mg/4 week) titration to 16-24 mg. Efficacy outcomes included the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale - cognitive subscale (ADAS-cog/11), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Clinician's Interview-Based Impression of Change - Plus Caregiver's Input (CIBIC-plus) and Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study - Activities of Daily Living Inventory (ADCS- ADL). RESULTS: Eighty-six of 89 patients (fast titration, n = 44; slow titration, n = 45) completed the study. At week 12, ADAS-cog/11 score improved from screening by 2.6 and 0.6 in the fast- and slow-titration arms, respectively (overall, -1.6; P = 0.002). MMSE scores improved slightly in both arms (overall, +0.9; P = 0.002). Two-thirds of patients had improvement or no change on the CIBIC-plus at week 12. ADCS- ADL scores did not change significantly from screening in either treatment arm. Galantamine was generally well tolerated; nausea (5.6%) and bradycardia (4.5%) were the most commonly reported adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: Patients in whom donepezil is ineffective or poorly tolerated may benefit from a switch to galantamine.
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Authors | K Engedal, B Davis, U Richarz, J Han, B Schäuble, N Andreasen |
Journal | Acta neurologica Scandinavica
(Acta Neurol Scand)
Vol. 126
Issue 1
Pg. 37-44
(Jul 2012)
ISSN: 1600-0404 [Electronic] Denmark |
PMID | 21992111
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Copyright | © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S. |
Chemical References |
- Cholinesterase Inhibitors
- Indans
- Piperidines
- Galantamine
- Donepezil
|
Topics |
- Aged
- Aged, 80 and over
- Alzheimer Disease
(drug therapy)
- Cholinesterase Inhibitors
(administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
- Donepezil
- Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
- Drug Administration Schedule
- Female
- Galantamine
(administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
- Humans
- Indans
(therapeutic use)
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Neuropsychological Tests
- Piperidines
(therapeutic use)
- Treatment Outcome
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