Razadyne

What is Razadyne?

Razadyne improves the function of brain nerve cells to treat mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's dementia. Razadyne increases the amount of a substance called acetylcholine in the brain. This substance is necessary for the processes of memory and thinking. This substance is usually lower in people with dementia. By increasing the levels of acetylcholine, Razadyne can improve or slow down the loss of thinking and memory abilities.

Side effects of Razadyne

Seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of these symptoms: difficulty breathing, swelling in your face, lips, tongue or throat.Razadyne may cause severe skin reactions. If you notice any skin reactions at all, call your doctor immediately.

Razadyne may cause serious side effects. If you experience:

• Chest pain; slow heart rate
• Little or no urinating is acceptable.
• Blood in urine
• Signs of stomach bleeding include bloody or tarry stools or vomiting that looks like coffee grounds.
• Liver problems: nausea, upper stomach pains, itching, fatigue, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing skin or eyes);
• Dehydration symptoms: feeling very thirsty, hot, and unable to urinate. Dry, hot skin.
• A feeling of lightheadedness, as if you could pass out.
• Severe skin reaction: fever, sore neck, swelling of the face, tongue, or eyes, burning of the eyes, and skin pain. This is followed by a reddish or purple rash, which spreads to your face and upper body and results in blisters and peeling.

Razadyne can cause a variety of side effects.

• Loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;
• Headache, dizziness,
• Weight loss.

There may be other side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report adverse effects, you can contact the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Warnings

Please follow all instructions on the label or package of your medication. Inform your healthcare provider about your medical conditions and allergies. Tell them what medications you use.

Before you take this drug

If you have an allergy to the inactive ingredients or the product itself, then you should avoid using Razadyne.

Tell your doctor about any of the following to ensure that Razadyne will be safe for you:

• Urination problems
• Heart disease, a disorder of the heart rhythm;
• A history of bleeding or stomach ulcers;
• Seizures or epilepsy;
• Kidney disease
• Liver disease
• A history of asthma, or chronic respiratory disease

Pregnancy

If you are planning to become pregnant, inform your doctor as soon as possible.Razadyne may harm a developing baby, but this is unknown.

Breastfeeding

Inform your doctor if breastfeeding is planned or if you plan to breastfeed. This medicine may pass into breast milk, but it is unknown if the drug could harm a nursing infant.

Similar/related drugs

Donepezil, memantine, Aricept, Namenda, Rivastigmine, and Exelon

How to take Razadyne?

Razadyne should be taken exactly as prescribed by your physician. Your doctor may change your dosage from time to time in order to get you the best results. Use this medication only as directed. Use the dose recommended and do not use more than that.You should read all the information provided, including medication guides and instructions. Ask your pharmacist or doctor if you have any questions.Razadyne should be taken with a glass of water. To avoid dehydration, drink 6 to 8 glasses of water per day.Tell the surgeon that you use Razadyne if you require surgery. You may need to temporarily stop taking your medication.Talk to your doctor if you've stopped taking Razadyne. You may have to start the medication again at a smaller dose.Trazodone Extended Release CapsuleRazadyne capsules with extended release are usually taken in the morning. Please follow your doctor's advice.Take the extended-release capsule with food.Avoid crushing, chewing, breaking, or opening an extended-release capsule. Take it in whole.Razadyne oral solution or short-acting tabletTake the Razadyne oral solution (liquid or tablet) two times a day with meals. Please follow your doctor's directions.Use the provided dosing syringe or a dose-measuring cup or spoon. Ask your pharmacist if you don't have a device for measuring doses.

Details on dosage

The usual adult dose for Alzheimer's disease:

Oral solution and tablet for immediate release:

Initial dose:

• Orally, take 4 mg twice daily, preferably in the morning and evening.
• After four weeks of treatment, you can increase the dose to 8 mg two times a day. Then, after another 4 weeks, you may increase it to 12 mg.

Maintenance dose:

• 16–24 mg, divided into 2 doses per day.

Maximum dose:

• 24 mg/day

Extended Release Capsule:

Initial dose:

• 8 mg once daily, preferably at breakfast.
• After four weeks, the dose can be increased to sixteen milligrams once daily. A further increase of 24 mg one time may be considered following a minimum of four weeks of taking sixteen mg/day.

Maintenance dose:

• Based on clinical benefit and tolerance, 16–24 mg once daily

Maximum dose:

• 24 mg/day.

Conversion of Immediate Release (IR) Tablets and Oral Solution into Extended-Release Capsules (ER):

• Start the ER capsule the morning after the last dose.
• The same daily dose should be used to convert from IR into ER.

Comments:

• In clinical trials, a dose of 32 mg per day, administered immediately, was less well tolerated, and it did not provide a statistically significant increase in clinical benefit compared to 16 mg/day. However, some patients may benefit more from a 24 mg/day dosage.
• The dose increase should be based on the clinical benefit and tolerance of the previous dosage.
• If the therapy is interrupted for more than three days, it should be restarted with the lowest dose and then increased to the current dosage.

What happens if I miss the dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dosage if your next dose is scheduled soon. You should not take more medicine to compensate for a missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

For poison assistance, call 1-800-222-1222 or get immediate medical help.Overdose symptoms include nausea, vomiting, and stomach cramps. Other symptoms include drooling or watery eyes.

What should be avoided?

This medication can impair your reactions or thinking. You should be careful when driving or doing anything else that requires alertness.

Interaction with other drug

Tell your doctor if you are taking any new medications or if you will stop taking any of your current ones.

• Atropine;
• Antihistamines are used in cold and allergy medicines (benadryl, among others).
• Medicine to treat parkinson’s disease
• Medicine to treat excessive stomach acid, stomach ulcers, motion sickness, or irritable bowel syndrome.
• Bladder or urinary medicines—darifenacin, fesoterodine, oxybutynin, tolterodine, and solifenacin;
• Bronchodilators—aclidinium, ipratropium, or tiotropium;

This list is incomplete. Galantamine may interact with other drugs, such as prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. The drug guide doesn't list every possible interaction.