A risk-benefit assessment of tacrine in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease

Tacrine, the first drug specifically approved for Alzheimer's disease, produces symptomatic improvement. The theoretical rationale behind treating Alzheimer's disease with tacrine is based on central cholinergic depletion. Tacrine is centrally acting, uncompetitive reversible inhibitor of acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase. Multiple clinical trials support the effectiveness of tacrine in Alzheimer's disease. High dosages of tacrine are required for efficacy, with the potential for hepatic and mild gastrointestinal adverse effects. However, the benefits of tacrine currently outweigh its risks, and a trial of the drug should be offered to patients. As clinical experience with tacrine increases, the long term risk-benefit equation may be refined.

Medienart:

Artikel

Erscheinungsjahr:

1997

Erschienen:

1997

Enthalten in:

Zur Gesamtaufnahme - volume:16

Enthalten in:

Drug safety - 16(1997), 1 vom: 09. Jan., Seite 66-77

Sprache:

Englisch

Beteiligte Personen:

Samuels, S C [VerfasserIn]
Davis, K L [VerfasserIn]

Themen:

4VX7YNB537
Cholinesterase Inhibitors
Journal Article
Review
Tacrine

Anmerkungen:

Date Completed 01.04.1997

Date Revised 16.07.2022

published: Print

Citation Status MEDLINE

Förderinstitution / Projekttitel:

PPN (Katalog-ID):

NLM089760476