Galantamine

Potential to interfere with the activity of anticholinergic medications ( 7.1 ) Synergistic effect expected when given concurrently with succinylcholine, other cholinesterase inhibitors, similar neuromuscular blocking agents, or cholinergic agonists ( 7.2 )

7.1 Use with Anticholinergics Galantamine has the potential to interfere with the activity of anticholinergic medications [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] .

7.2 Use With Cholinomimetics and Other Cholinesterase Inhibitors A synergistic effect is expected when cholinesterase inhibitors are given concurrently with succinylcholine, other cholinesterase inhibitors, similar neuromuscular blocking agents or cholinergic agonists such as bethanechol [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] .

8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary There are no adequate data on the developmental risk associated with the use of galantamine tablets in pregnant women. In studies conducted in animals, administration of galantamine during pregnancy resulted in developmental toxicity (increased incidence of morphological abnormalities and decreased growth in offspring) at doses similar to or greater than those used clinically (see Data). In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2-4% and 15-20%, respectively. The background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown.

Data Animal Data In rats, administration of galantamine (oral doses of 2, 8, or 16 mg/kg/day), from day 14 (females) or day 60 (males) prior to mating and continuing in females through the period of organogenesis, resulted in an increased incidence of fetal skeletal variations at the two highest doses, which were associated with maternal toxicity. The no-effect dose for embryo-fetal developmental toxicity in rats (2 mg/kg/day) is approximately equal to the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD) of 24 mg/day on a body surface area (mg/m 2 ) basis.

When galantamine (oral doses of 4, 12, 28, or 40 mg/kg/day) was administered to pregnant rabbits throughout the period of organogenesis, small increases in fetal visceral malformations and skeletal variations were observed at the highest dose which was associated with maternal toxicity. The no-effect dose for embryo-fetal developmental toxicity in rabbits (28 mg/kg/day) is approximately 20 times the MRHD on a mg/m 2 basis. In a study in which pregnant rats were orally dosed with galantamine (2, 8, or 16 mg/kg/day) from the beginning of organogenesis through day 21 post-partum, pup weights were decreased at birth and during the lactation period at the two highest doses.

The no-effect dose for pre-and postnatal developmental toxicity in rats(2 mg/kg/day) is approximately equal to the MRHD on a mg/m 2 basis.

8.2 Luctation Risk Summary There are no data on the presence of galantamine in human milk, the effects on the breastfed infant, or the effects of galantamine tablets on milk production. The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother’s clinical need for galantamine tablets and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed infant from galantamine tablets or from the underlying maternal condition.