Tacrine - TAK-reen is using to treat the symptoms of mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease. Tacrine will not cure Alzheimer's disease and it will not stop the disease from getting worse. However, tacrine can improve thinking ability in some diseaseds with Alzheimer's disease.
In Alzheimer's disease, many chemical changes take place in the brain. One of the earliest and biggest changes is that there is less of a chemical messenger called acetylcholine - ACh. ACh helps the brain to work properly. Tacrine slows the breakdown of ACh, so it can build up and have a greater effect. However, as Alzheimer's disease gets worse, there will be less and less ACh, so tacrine may not work as well.
Tacrine may cause liver problems. While taking this drug, you must have blood tests regularly to see if the drug is effecting your liver.
This drug is available only with your family doctor's prescription, in the following dosage form:
Some commonly using brand names are:
In the USA
Other commonly using names are THA and tetrahydroaminoacridine .
† Not commercially available in Canada.