Medications and Drugs
GENERIC NAME: TACRINE - ORAL (TACK-reen)
BRAND NAME(S): Cognex
Medication Uses | How To Use | Side Effects | Precautions | Drug Interactions | Overdose | Notes | Missed Dose | Storage | Medical Alert
USES: This medication is used to treat Alzheimer's disease.
HOW TO USE: For best absorption, tacrine should be taken on an empty stomach, 1 hour before, or two hours after meals. If stomach upset occurs, it may be taken with meals, however, food can decrease tacrine blood levels significantly. Follow all instructions exactly.
SIDE EFFECTS: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, heartburn, muscle aches, loss of appetite and loss of balance may occur. Contact your doctor if these persist or are disabling. Tell your doctor immediately if any of the following occur: rash, jaundice (yellowing of eyes or skin), changes in stool color, stomach pain. Very unlikely but report promptly: unusually slow pulse or heartbeat, seizures, unusual change in amount of urine. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
PRECAUTIONS: Before using this, tell your doctor your medical history, including: allergies (especially drug allergies), liver disease, heart disease (e.g., abnormal heart rhythm), ulcers, urinary problems, seizures, asthma. This medication should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. It is unknown if this drug is excreted into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: Tell your doctor of all nonprescription or prescription medication you may use, especially of: theophylline, cimetidine, "cholinergic-type" drugs such as bethanechol, "anticholinergics" such as atropine, antihistamines such as diphenhydramine, succinylcholine, NSAID drugs (e.g., aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen), fluvoxamine. Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.
Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
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