This medication is used to treat mild to moderate confusion (dementia) due to Alzheimer's disease. Tacrine does not cure Alzheimer's disease, but it may improve memory, awareness, and the ability to take part in everyday life. This medication is called an enzyme blocker. Tacrine works by restoring the balance of certain natural substances (neurotransmitters) in the brain.

Take this medication by mouth on an empty stomach (at least one hour before meals), usually four times daily or as directed by your doctor. If stomach upset occurs, you may take this medication with food, though less of the medication will be absorbed. For this reason, it is best to take it without food. Your doctor will gradually increase your dose to reduce the risk of side effects. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully. Dosage is based on your medical condition, liver function test results, and response to therapy.

Use this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. It may take up to 3-6 months to get the full benefit of this drug.

Do not stop taking this medication or change your dose without consulting your doctor. Some conditions may become worse when the drug is suddenly stopped or the dose is rapidly decreased. Your dose may need to be gradually decreased.

Inform your doctor if your condition worsens.

Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach upset, loss of appetite, muscle aches, shaking (tremors), and loss of balance may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: weight loss, slow heartbeat, trouble urinating, change in amount of urine.

Tell your doctor immediately if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: severe stomach/abdominal pain, dark urine, yellowing of eyes/skin, black stools, vomit that looks like coffee grounds, seizures.

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction may include: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

In the US -

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Before taking tacrine, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies.

This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: history of liver problems caused by tacrine.

Before using this drug, tell your doctor your medical history, including: breathing problems (e.g., asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease-COPD), heart problems (e.g., abnormal heart rhythm), liver disease, seizures, stomach/intestinal disease (e.g., ulcers, bleeding), trouble urinating.

This drug may cause loss of coordination. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires good coordination until you are sure you can perform such activities safely. Limit alcoholic beverages.

Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are using this medication.

This medication should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.

It is not known whether this drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Your healthcare professionals (e.g., doctor or pharmacist) may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for it. Do not start, stop or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: anticholinergic medications (e.g., benztropine, diphenhydramine), aspirin (high doses, such as those used for arthritis), cholinergic drugs (e.g., bethanechol), drugs affecting liver enzymes that remove tacrine from your body (e.g., cimetidine, fluvoxamine), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, naproxen), succinylcholine, theophylline.

Smoking tobacco decreases blood levels of this medication (hepatic enzyme induction). Tell your doctor if you smoke or if you have recently stopped smoking.

Check all prescription and nonprescription medicine labels carefully since many medications contain pain relievers/fever reducers (NSAIDs such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen) which, if taken together with tacrine, may increase your risk for stomach/intestinal bleeding. Low-dose aspirin, as prescribed by your doctor for specific medical reasons such as heart attack or stroke prevention (usually at dosages of 81-325 milligrams per day), should be continued. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.

This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.

If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US national poison hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly. Symptoms of overdose may include: severe nausea/vomiting, sweating, severe dizziness, slow heartbeat, severe weakness, seizures.

Do not share this medication with others.

Laboratory and/or medical tests (e.g., liver function) will be performed regularly to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details.

If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Store at room temperature between 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) away from moisture and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.

MEDICAL ALERT: Your condition can cause complications in a medical emergency. For enrollment information call MedicAlert at 1-800-854-1166 (USA) or 1-800-668-1507 (Canada).

Information last revised March 2009 Copyright(c) 2009 First DataBank, Inc.