Tacrine

Tacrine is a drug used in the treatment of mild to moderate Alzheimer's dementia. People with Alzheimer's dementia are known to experience brain damage and lack of acetylcholine.

This condition causes impaired coordination between nerve cells and the emergence of complaints, such as loss of ability to think, remember, and cognitive function, as well as behavioral disturbances.

Tacrine works by increasing the amount of acetylcholine by inhibiting the work of the enzymes that break it down. This way of working is expected to help improve the thinking ability of Alzheimer's sufferers. However, keep in mind that these drugs cannot cure Alzheimer's dementia.

Tacrine trademark:-

What is Tacrine

class	Prescription drug
Category	Cholinesterase enzyme inhibitors
Benefit	Overcome dementia due to Alzheimer's disease
Consumed by	Mature
Tacrine for pregnant and lactating women	Category C: Animal studies have shown an adverse effect on the fetus, but there have been no controlled studies in pregnant women. Drugs should only be used if the expected benefit outweighs the risk to the fetus. It is not yet known whether tacrine is absorbed into breast milk or not. If you are breastfeeding, do not take this drug without consulting your doctor first.
Drug form	Capsule

Precautions Before Taking Tacrine

Tacrine should only be consumed according to a doctor's prescription. There are several things that need to be considered before undergoing treatment with tacrine, namely:

Tell your doctor about any history of allergies you have. Tacrine should not be given to patients who are allergic to this drug.
Tell your doctor if you have liver disease , stomach ulcer, or duodenal ulcer . Tacrine should not be used by patients with these conditions.
Tell your doctor if you have had or currently have stomach ulcers , enlarged prostate gland, COPD , hypotension, slow heart rate , seizures, epilepsy , or Parkinson's disease .
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or planning a pregnancy.
Tell your doctor if you are taking certain medications, supplements or herbal products.
Immediately consult a doctor if you experience a drug allergic reaction , overdose, or serious side effects after taking tacrine.

Dosage and Rules for Use Tacrine

The dosage and duration of treatment will be determined by the doctor based on the patient's condition, the patient's response to treatment, and the results of the patient's liver function examination.

Here are the doses of tacrine in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease :

Initial dose : 10 mg, 4 times daily, for 4–6 weeks.
Follow-up dose: The dose may be increased gradually to 40 mg, 4 times a day, if the patient's liver function test results are normal. Dosage increases can be made at intervals of 4–6 weeks.
Maximum dose: 160 mg per day divided into 4 consumption schedules, or 40 mg.

How to Take Tacrine Properly

Follow the doctor 's recommendations and read the information listed on the drug packaging label before taking tacrine. Do not reduce or increase the dose, and do not use the drug for more than the recommended time.

Tacrine capsules will be more effective if taken on an empty stomach, for example 1 hour before eating or 2 hours after eating. However, if this medicine causes stomach upset, you can take it with food. Swallow the tacrine capsule with a glass of water.

It is recommended to take tacrine regularly at the same time every day so that the effect of the treatment is maximized. If you forget to take this drug, consume it immediately if the break with the next consumption schedule is not too close. If it's close, ignore it and don't double the dose.

While undergoing treatment with tacrine, follow the treatment schedule set by the doctor. You will be asked to have regular blood and liver function tests to monitor the progress of your condition and response to therapy.

Continue treatment as recommended by the doctor even though your condition has improved. Do not stop medication without consulting your doctor first because it can make Alzheimer's symptoms worse.

Store tacrine capsules in a closed container in a cool room. Protect this drug from direct sunlight and keep the drug out of the reach of children.

Interactions of Tacrine with Other Drugs

The following are a number of drug interaction effects that can occur if tacrine is used with other drugs, namely:

Increased levels of tacrine in the blood when used with the drugs cimetidine, quinolone , or fluvoxamine
Increased risk of bradycardia when used with beta - blockers , such as atenolol or calcium channel blockers , for example, amlodipine
Increased risk of side effects when used with other cholinesterase enzyme inhibitors, such as donepezil
The appearance of the opposite effect if taken with anticholinergic drugs, such as atropine
Increased levels of theophylline in the blood