Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent.

The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes Pat Galantamine Er. If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of Pat Galantamine Er with your doctor.

The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking Pat Galantamine Er. Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.

Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.

• abdominal pain
• blurred vision
• Diarrhea
• Fever
• flushing
• general feeling of being unwell
• headache
• heartburn
• leg cramps
• lightheadedness
• loss of appetite
• muscle spasms
• nausea
• runny nose
• sweating
• tingling sensation in the hands or feet
• tiredness
• trouble sleeping
• vomiting
• weight loss

Although most of these side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not seek medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

• behavior changes (e.g., agitation, aggressiveness, confusion)
• chest pain
• difficulty holding urine
• difficulty swallowing
• falls
• hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not there)
• high blood pressure (e.g., dizziness, headache, vision changes, shortness of breath)
• Low Blood Pressure (e.g., dizziness or fainting, especially when rising from a lying or sitting position)
• ringing in the ears
• signs of bleeding (e.g., bloody nose, blood in urine, coughing blood, cuts that don't stop bleeding)
• signs of dehydration (e.g., decreased urine, dry skin, dry and sticky mouth, sleepiness, dizziness, headache, thirst, confusion)
• signs of Depression (e.g., poor concentration, changes in weight, changes in sleep, decreased interest in activities, thoughts of suicide)
• signs of liver problems (e.g., nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss, yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, dark urine, pale stools)
• signs of low potassium levels in the blood (e.g., weakness, fatigue, muscle cramps, irregular heartbeat)
• signs of urinary tract infection (e.g., blood in urine, pain or burning while urinating, need to urinate more often than normal)
• slow or irregular heartbeat (less than 50 beats per minute)
• tremor

Stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:

• seizures
• severe confusion
• signs of bleeding in the stomach (e.g., bloody, black, or tarry stools; spitting up of blood; vomiting blood or material that looks like coffee grounds)
• signs of a Heart Attack (e.g., chest pain or pressure, pain extending through shoulder and arm, nausea and vomiting, sweating)
• signs of a severe skin reaction such as blistering, peeling, a rash covering a large area of the body, a rash that spreads quickly, or a rash combined with fever or discomfort
• signs of Stroke (e.g., sudden or severe headache; sudden loss of coordination; vision changes; sudden slurring of speech; or unexplained weakness, numbness, or pain in arm or leg)
• symptoms of a Anaphylaxis (severe allergic reaction) (e.g., itching or skin rash; shortness of breath; swelling of the face, lips, or tongue)
• thoughts of self-harm or suicide

Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking Pat Galantamine Er.

8 mg
Each white opaque capsule imprinted with "G8" contains galantamine 8 mg. Nonmedicinal ingredients: gelatin, diethyl phthalate, ethylcellulose, hypromellose, polyethylene glycol, titanium dioxide, and sugar spheres (sucrose and starch).

16 mg
Each pink opaque capsule imprinted "G16" contains galantamine 16 mg. Nonmedicinal ingredients: gelatin, diethyl phthalate, ethylcellulose, hypromellose, polyethylene glycol, titanium dioxide, sugar spheres (sucrose and starch), and red ferric oxide.

24 mg
Each caramel opaque capsule imprinted with "G24" contains galantamine 24 mg. Nonmedicinal ingredients: gelatin, diethyl phthalate, ethylcellulose, hypromellose, polyethylene glycol, titanium dioxide, sugar spheres (sucrose and starch), red ferric oxide, and yellow ferric oxide.

Do not take Pat Galantamine Er if you are allergic to galantamine or any ingredients of the medication.

There may be an interaction between galantamine and any of the following:

• other acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (e.g., Donepezil, Rivastigmine)
• aclidinium
• alpha-agonists (e.g., Clonidine, methyldopa)
• amantadine
• Amiodarone
• antihistamines (e.g., Chlorpheniramine, Dimenhydrinate, Diphenhydramine)
• antipsychotic medications (e.g., Haloperidol, Risperidone, Quetiapine)
• atropine
• azelastine
• "azole" antifungals (e.g., fluconazole, ketoconazole, Voriconazole)
• Benztropine
• beta-blockers (e.g., Atenolol, Carvedilol, Metoprolol, Propranolol, Timolol)
• Bupropion
• Ceritinib
• chloroquine
• cholinergic agonists (e.g., Bethanechol, Pilocarpine)
• corticosteroids (e.g., Hydrocortisone, Prednisone, Methylprednisolone)
• Cyclobenzaprine
• cyproheptadine
• Digoxin
• Diltiazem
• Dipyridamole
• Disopyramide
• Dronedarone
• Fesoterodine
• Fingolimod
• Flavoxate
• glycopyrronium
• Guanfacine
• Hepatitis C antivirals (e.g., dasabuvir, ombitasvir, paritaprevir)
• HIV protease inhibitors (e.g., atazanavir, indinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir)
• ipratropium
• Ivabradine
• glycopyrrolate
• macrolide antibiotics (e.g., azithromycin, clarithromycin, erythromycin)
• Midodrine
• monoamine oxidase inhibitors (M.O.S. Phenelzine, Moclobemide, Selegiline)
• Octreotide
• Oxybutynin
• Pasireotide
• quinidine
• quinine
• scopolamine
• Solifenacin
• SSRIs (e.g., Fluoxetine, Paroxetine, Sertraline)
• succinylcholine-type neuromuscular blocking agents
• tiotropium
• Tizanidine
• Tofacitinib
• Tolterodine
• Trazodone
• tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., Amitriptyline, Desipramine, Nortriptyline)
• umeclidinium
• Verapamil

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with Pat Galantamine Er. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the Nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.

Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use Pat Galantamine Er.

Bladder problems: Galantamine can make it more difficult to empty the bladder and may contribute to urinary tract problems. If you have bladder problems or a history of urinary tract problems, discuss with your doctor how Pat Galantamine Er may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Pat Galantamine Er, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Drowsiness/reduced alertness: Galantamine may affect the mental or physical abilities needed to drive or operate machinery. Avoid driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous tasks until you have determined how Pat Galantamine Er affects you.

Gender: Women are more likely to experience side effects such as nausea and vomiting. This is also more likely to happen for women who are underweight.

Heart disease: Galantamine can cause slowed heart rate, affecting people with Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) or Coronary Artery Disease (CAD). If you have a heart condition, including blood pressure problems, discuss with your doctor how Pat Galantamine Er may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Pat Galantamine Er, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Kidney function: If you have Kidney Disease or decreased kidney function, discuss with your doctor how Pat Galantamine Er may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Pat Galantamine Er, and whether any special monitoring is needed. Galantamine is not recommended for people with severely reduced kidney function.

Liver function: If you have liver disease or reduced liver function, discuss with your doctor how Pat Galantamine Er may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Pat Galantamine Er, and whether any special monitoring is needed. Galantamine is not recommended for people with severely reduced liver function.

Lung disease: Galantamine can worsen the symptoms of breathing problems, such as Asthma or COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) (COPD) emphysema, and Bronchitis. If you have asthma, COPD, or any other breathing problem, discuss with your doctor how Pat Galantamine Er may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Pat Galantamine Er, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Seizures: An increase in seizures has been reported by people taking galantamine. It is unclear whether this is because of the medication or the Alzheimer's disease. If you have or have had a seizure disorder, discuss with your doctor how Pat Galantamine Er may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Pat Galantamine Er, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Stomach ulcers: Galantamine can cause an increase in the amount of acid produced by the stomach, increasing the risk for stomach ulcers. If you have or have had stomach problems, or take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAIDs) medications, you are at increased risk of stomach problems with Pat Galantamine Er. If you have any of these conditions, discuss with your doctor how Pat Galantamine Er may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Pat Galantamine Er, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Weight loss: People taking galantamine may experience significant weight loss. In some cases, this weight loss is unhealthy and may cause additional health problems. Let your doctor know about any weight loss that occurs.

Pregnancy: Pat Galantamine Er should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking Pat Galantamine Er, contact your doctor immediately.

Breast-feeding: It is not known if galantamine passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking Pat Galantamine Er, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.

Children: The safety and effectiveness of using Pat Galantamine Er have not been established for children. Galantamine is not intended to be used by children.

Seniors: People over 85 years of age may be at risk of more extreme weight loss when taking galantamine.