Reminyl – the only way to effectively alleviate the symptoms of alzheimers disease

Many of us feel that the fresh scent of spring flowers cheer us up and let us know that warmer days are just around the corner. But believe or not that’s not the only way that they can make us feel better. They are the source of a remarkable phyto-nutrient called galantamine (sold under the brand name Reminyl and marketed in the US as Razadyne).

Galantamine / Reminyl is not a new herbal supplement. Its properties as a memory restorer appear to have been recognised as far back as Ancient Greek civilisation although it was not “rediscovered” until the 1950s by researchers in Bulgaria. Nowadays it is a first line treatment for the symptoms of mild to moderately severe dementia and in particular Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). But this little gem of a supplement is not just an excellent memory improver, it may also be useful for improving muscle function, counteracting jet lag, combating fatigue, and perhaps even in overcoming sexual impotence!

What is Galantamine / Reminyl?

Galantamine is an alkaloid that is either created synthetically or sourced from the bulbs and flowers of the Caucasian snowdrop (galanthus nivalis) and galanthus woronowii (Amaryllidaceae) as well as other plant genera such as the daffodil and lycoris including the red spider lily.. The use of galantamine in traditional medicine has been popular for a long time throughout Eastern Europe. Indeed, isolating galantamine as an active ingredient probably sprung from the use of snowdrops in traditional East European medicine.

Galantamine and the treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease and memory loss

Unfortunately, memory loss and other symptoms of cognitive impairment are part of the ageing process eventually affecting all of us to a greater or lesser extent. For some people, the problems are only relatively slight but for others, they develop into full blown dementia. AD is the most common form of dementia and it is a huge health care problem. In the US alone it is estimated that approximately 4 million people suffer from AD, with over 360,000 new cases being diagnosed each year.

Age is the single greatest risk factor for developing dementia. As populations increasingly age, so the number of people living with dementia increases. At the age of 65 the prevalence of dementia is around 1% but this increases dramatically to 30-50% by the age of 85. Women are more affected than men - probably due to the fact that women live longer than men and so there are more older women than older men.

Age isn’t the only risk factor – all those risk factors that apply to heart disease such as lack of exercise, high blood pressure and cholesterol, obesity and smoking are just as relevant for AD. Low income, low educational level, and low intellect also appear to play their part. Some people may even have a genetic disposition to the disease.

AD is a devastating, incurable disease. The symptoms include progressive memory loss, increasing confusion and behavioural changes. As a result, it becomes increasingly difficult for sufferers to carry out their normal daily activities – even simple tasks such as washing, getting dressed and getting something to eat can eventually become impossible. The disease can be just as devastating for the carers and families of sufferers – the impact and the burden on them should not be under estimated.

The exact cause of AD is unknown although a number of factors are thought to play their part. A lack of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine has been implicated. Neurotransmitters are chemicals that work as the brain’s messenger service. When one neuron (brain cell) needs to communicate with another one, it does so by releasing the relevant neurotransmitters which are capable of crossing the minute gaps (synapses) that exist between neurons. There are a number of different neurotransmitters with neurons expressing certain types of neurotransmitters sometimes forming distinct systems. Activating these systems affects large parts of the brain. Acetycholine forms the basis of the cholinergic system and has a direct affect on learning and short term memory. In the normal, healthy brain, acetylcholine levels are finely balanced allowing us to function properly. However, if one becomes deficient in acetylcholine these functions are directly affected – as demonstrated by the classic symptoms of AD.

Galantamine works by increasing the amount of acetycholine available in the brain which in turn improves the symptoms of AD, as well as those of age related memory loss that eventually affects us all. While it can’t cure AD (unfortunately nothing can at the moment), galantamine can help to prevent and alleviate the incredibly distressing and debilitating symptoms of the disease.

The goal is to try and return the amount of acetylcholine in the brain to normal, healthy levels. Galantamine achieves this in two ways:

1. By inhibiting acetylcholinesterase. Acetylcholinesterase is an enzyme that is responsible for destroying acetylcholine. By preventing (inhibiting) acetylcholinesterase from acting upon acetylcholine and destroying it, acetylcholine levels are raised.


2. By modulating nicotinic receptors. Neurotransmitter receptors are proteins on the surface of neurons that bind to specific neurotransmitters. Nicotinic receptors are the most important acetylcholine receptors in the brain. Galantamine makes them more receptive to acetylcholine and protects them from age-related deterioration in both function and numbers. By doing this, galantamine effectively boosts the efficiency of neurotransmission via acetylcholine.

It is this dual action that makes galantamine unique. Other medications may inhibit acetylcholinesterase but that is all that they do. By acting on two fronts, galantamine is the real star when it comes to increasing acetylcholine levels which, in turn, helps to prevent and alleviate the symptoms of AD and similar types of dementia.

And what is even better is that galantamine retains its efficacy as a treatment. With other medications a gradual tolerance builds up which results in the medications losing their efficacy. When this happens, the symptoms of AD start to get worse rather than improve. It usually takes about a year of medication for this to happen. Galantamine, on the other hand, appears to retain its efficacy indefinitely and drug tolerance is simply not a problem.

If all of that wasn’t enough, there is a good argument to be made for the ability of galantamine to possibly extend life. People who develop dementia face a shortened life expectancy – on average 3.3 years after the onset of the disease. As we have already discussed, galantamine slows down the progress of the disease, and, by doing this, it would seem logical to suggest this may indeed extend the life expectancy of the sufferer.

Galantamine and other conditions

Galantamine is also capable of relieving sore muscles and helps to alleviate neuromuscular conditions such as neuritis and neuralgia. This link to muscular function is not surprising given that acetylcholine is the primary neurotransmitter of the peripheral nervous system for both skeletal and smooth muscles (smooth muscles are those found in the walls of most internal organs) and, as we have previously discussed, galantamine acts to increase acetylcholine levels. Galantamine also acts as a muscle stimulant.

Research suggests that galantamine may also have a role in overcoming jet lag, fatigue syndromes, and maybe even impotence.

Galantamine really is quite amazing - who would have thought that spring flowers could have such an impact on your health and well being and play a leading role in the fight against AD and the devastation that it and similar dementias can cause to people’s lives?

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Dosage

It is usuval to start with a low dose and then your health care provider can adjust as necessary. It should be taken orally twice a day, preferably with your morning and evening meals.

Side effects

Galantamine is remarkably well tolerated. Adverse side effects are almost nonexistent - the worst that may occur is mild gastrointestinal upset, such as nausea.

Warnings

You should not take galantamine if you are allergic to any of the ingredients of Reminyl (or Razadyne) or have had an allergic reaction to the medication in the past. Do not take this medication if you have or have had severe liver or kidney disease or significant combined liver and kidney problems.

Do not take Reminyl (or Razadyne) if you are already taking any medications or supplements (either prescription or over the counter) without first discussing this further with your doctor/pharmacist. You should also obtain advice from your doctor before taking galantamine if you have a heart disorder, stomach ulcer or duodenal ulcer, suffer from acute abdominal pain, galactose intolerance, lactase deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption problems, epilepsy, respiratory diseases that affect breathing (like asthma), experience difficulties in passing urine or have had a recent operation on the gut or bladder. You should also obtain medical advice before taking galantamine if you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant or if you are breast feeding.

You should not drive or operate machinery while taking Reminyl (Razadyne).