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Tacrine

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).