Prospect: Information for the Patient
galantamine cinfa 8 mg prolonged-release hard capsules EFG
Read this prospect carefully before starting to take the medicine.
galantamina cinfacontains the active ingredient “galantamine”,a dementia medication. It is usedin adultsto treat the symptoms of mild to moderately severe Alzheimer's disease, a type of dementia that alters brain function.
Alzheimer's disease causes an increase in memory loss, confusion, and changes in behavior, making it increasingly difficult to perform routine daily activities.
It is believed that these effects are caused by a lack of “acetylcholine”, a substance responsible for transmitting messages between brain cells. Galantamine cinfa increases the amount of acetylcholine in the brain and thus treats the signs of the disease.
Do not take galantamine cinfa
Warnings and precautions
Consult your doctor or pharmacist before taking galantamine cinfa. This medicine should only be used for Alzheimer's disease and is not recommended for other types of memory loss or confusion.
Severe side effects
Galantamine cinfa may cause severe skin reactions, heart problems, and seizures. You should be aware of these side effects while taking galantamine cinfa. See section 4.
Before starting treatment with galantamine cinfa
Your doctor should know if you have or have had any of the following conditions:
Also inform your doctor if you have recently had surgery on the stomach, intestine, or bladder. Your doctor will decide if galantamine cinfa is suitable for you.
Galantamine cinfa may cause weight loss.Your doctor will check your weight regularly while you are taking galantamine cinfa.
Children and adolescents
Galantamine cinfa is not recommended for use in children or adolescents.
Use of galantamine cinfa with other medicines
Inform your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have taken recently, or are going to take other medicines.
Galantamine cinfa should not be taken with medicines that work in the same way. These include:
Some medicines may cause side effects more likely in people taking galantamine cinfa. These include:
Your doctor may give you a lower dose of galantamine cinfa if you are also taking any of the mentioned medicines.
Galantamine cinfa may affect some anesthetics. If you are going to undergo a general anesthetic operation, inform your doctor, in advance, that you are taking galantamine cinfa.
Consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have any doubts.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Before taking this medicine, consult your doctor for advice if you are pregnant, may be pregnant, or are planning to become pregnant.
Do not breastfeed while taking galantamine cinfa.
Driving and operating machines
Galantamine cinfa may make you feel dizzy or drowsy, especially during the first few weeks of treatment. If galantamine cinfa affects you, do not drive or operate tools or machines.
Follow exactly the administration instructions of this medication indicated by your doctor or pharmacist. In case of doubt, consult your doctor or pharmacist again.
If you are taking galantamine tablets or oral solution and your doctor has told you that you will be switched to galantamine cinfa prolonged-release capsules, read carefully the instructions that appear in “Switching from galantamine tablets or oral solution to galantamine capsules” in this section.
How much to take
You will start treatment with galantamine cinfa at a low dose. The usual initial dose is 8 mg, taken once a day. Your doctor will gradually increase your dose, every 4 weeks or more, until you reach the most suitable dose for you. The maximum dose is 24 mg, taken once a day.
Your doctor will explain what dose you should start with and when to increase it. If you are unsure of what to do or find that the effect of galantamine cinfa is too strong or too weak, inform your doctor or pharmacist.
Your doctor needs to see you regularly to check that this medication is working well for you and to discuss how you are feeling.
If you have liver or kidney problems,your doctor may give you a reduced dose of galantamine cinfa or decide that this medication is not suitable for you.
Switching from galantamine tablets or oral solution to galantamine capsules
If you are currently taking galantamine tablets or oral solution, your doctor may decide to switch you to galantamine cinfa prolonged-release capsules. If this applies to you:
DO NOT take more than one capsule a day. While taking galantamine capsules once a day, DO NOT take galantamine tablets or oral solution.
How to take it
Galantamine cinfa capsules should be swallowed whole and NOT chewed or crushed. Take your dose of galantamine cinfa once a day in the morning, with water or other liquids. Try to take galantamine cinfa with food.
Drink plenty of liquid while taking galantamine cinfa to stay hydrated.
If you take more galantamine cinfa than you should
If you take too much galantamine cinfa, consult your doctor or go to the hospital immediately. Bring with you the packaging with the remaining capsules. Signs of an overdose may include:
In case of overdose or accidental ingestion, consult your doctor or pharmacist immediately or call the Toxicology Information Service, phone: 91 562 04 20 indicating the medication and the amount ingested.
If you forget to take galantamine cinfa
If you forget to take a dose, leave that dose and continue treatment as usual with the next scheduled dose.
Do not take a double dose to compensate for missed doses.
If you forget to take more than one dose, consult your doctor.
If you interrupt treatment with galantamine cinfa
Consult your doctor before interrupting treatment with galantamine cinfa. It is essential to continue taking this medication to treat your condition.
If you have any other questions about the use of this product, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Like all medicines, it may cause side effects, although not everyone will experience them.
Be aware of severe side effects
Stop takinggalantamine cinfaand consult a doctor or go to the nearest emergency service immediatelyif you notice any of the following side effects.
Skin reactions,including:
These skin reactions are rare in people takinggalantamine cinfa(they can affect up to 1 in 1,000 people).
Heart problemsincluding changes in heart rhythm (such as slow heartbeat or extra beats) or palpitations (feeling a rapid or irregular heartbeat). Heart problems can be seen as an abnormal tracing on an electrocardiogram (ECG), and can be common in people takinggalantamine cinfa(they can affect up to 1 in 10 people).
Seizures. This is rare in people takinggalantamine cinfa(they can affect up to 1 in 100 people).
You should stop takinggalantamine cinfaand seek help immediatelyif you notice any of the side effects mentioned above.
Other side effects:
Frequent side effects(can affect more than 1 in 10 people):
Common side effects(can affect up to 1 in 10 people):
Rare side effects(can affect up to 1 in 100 people):
Very rare side effects(can affect up to 1 in 1,000 people):
Reporting side effects
If you experience any type of side effect, consult your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse, even if it is a possible side effect that does not appear in this leaflet. You can also report them directly through the Spanish System for the Vigilance of Medicines for Human Use: https://www.notificaram.es.
By reporting side effects, you can contribute to providing more information about the safety of this medication.
Keep this medication out of the sight and reach of children.
Do not use this medication after the expiration date that appears on the packaging and on the blister pack after “CAD”. The expiration date is the last day of the month indicated.
This medication does not require special conditions for conservation.
Medications should not be disposed of through drains or in the trash. Dispose of the packaging and medications you no longer need at the SIGRE collection point at the pharmacy.Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of the packaging and medications you no longer need. This will help protect the environment.
Composition of galantamine cinfa:
The active principle is galantamine.
The other components are:
Content of the capsule
Microcrystalline cellulose, hypromellose, ethylcellulose, magnesium stearate.
Capsule coating
Gelatin, titanium dioxide (E171).
Appearance of the product and contents of the package
The prolonged-release hard galantamine capsules are available in three doses, each of which can be identified by its color:
White capsules containing a prolonged-release round and biconvex tablet.
The capsules are manufactured in the form of ‘prolonged release’, which means they release the medication more slowly.
The capsules are available in the following blister pack sizes:
7, 28, 30, 56, 84, 98, 100 prolonged-release capsules.
Only some package sizes may be marketed.
Marketing Authorization Holder and Responsible Manufacturer
Marketing Authorization Holder
Laboratorios Cinfa, S.A
Carretera Olaz-Chipi, 10. Industrial Estate Areta
31620 Huarte (Navarra) – Spain
Responsible Manufacturer
Pharmaten, S.A.
6, Dervenakion Str., Pallini Attiki
Greece
Or
Pharmaten International S.A.
Industrial Park Sapes, Rodopi Prefecture, Block No. 5, Rodopi 69300
Greece
This medicine is registered in the Member States of the EEA with the following names:
GermanyMasparen 8mg, 16mg, 24mg Hard Capsules, prolonged-release
NetherlandsMasparen Retard 1x daily 8mg, 16mg, 24mg
SpainGalantamina cinfa 8mg, 16mg, 24mg prolonged-release hard capsules EFG
United KingdomConsion XL 8mg, 16mg, 24mg prolonged-release capsules
Last review date of this leaflet:March 2021
More detailed and updated information on this medicine is available on the website of the Spanish Agency of Medicines and Medical Devices (AEMPS)http://www.aemps.gob.es/
You can access detailed and updated information on this medicine by scanning the QR code included in the leaflet and packaging with your smartphone. You can also access this information at the following internet address:https://cima.aemps.es/cima/dochtml/p/77288/P_77288.html
QR code to:https://cima.aemps.es/cima/dochtml/p/77288/P_77288.html
Have questions about this medication or your symptoms? Connect with a licensed doctor for guidance and personalized care.