Before starting
Required
- Baseline
- Estimated glomerular filtration rate for galantamine and rivastigmine only
- Liver function tests
- Serum potassium for galantamine
LFTs and hepatic function: respond if abnormal
Donepezil
Caution in mild to moderate impairment.
Adjust dose as per BNF advice.
Galantamine
Caution in moderate impairment; avoid in severe impairment (Child-Pugh score greater than 9).
Adjust dose as per BNF advice.
Rivastigmine
Caution in hepatic impairment.
Adjust dose as per BNF advice.
Renal function: respond if abnormal
Galantamine
Avoid if eGFR less than 9 mL/minute/1.73 m2
Rivastigmine
Caution in renal impairment
Potassium: respond if abnormal
Galantamine
Caution in hyperkalaemia or hypokalaemia
Ongoing once stable
Consider
- Periodically
- Weight for rivastigmine and galantamine, since decreased appetite possible
Notes
Advice to patients for galantamine
Advise patients and their carers to be aware of the potential for serious skin reactions related to galantamine. These include Stevens-Johnson syndrome, erythema multiforme, and acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis.
Advise patients to report any skin rash. Stop galantamine at the first appearance of any skin rash.
Bibliography
- Joint Formulary Committee. British National Formulary (online) London: BMJ Group and Pharmaceutical Press [cited 31/07/2020]
- NICE Clinical Knowledge Summaries (CKS). Dementia. Updated Jul 2019 [cited 31/07/2020]