Reminyl (galantamine hydrobromide): drug treatment for Alzheimer’s disease:

Alzheimer Scotland Information Sheet IS17

This information sheet is for people with Alzheimer's disease, their partners and families and for anyone else who is interested in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

Galantamine hydrobromide (marketed as Reminyl) is one of a group of three drugs for people with Alzheimer's disease called cholinesterase inhibitors. The other two are called donepezil hydrochloride (common brand name Aricept) and rivastigmine (common brand name Exelon).

For the purposes of this information sheet, galantamine hydrobromide will be referred to as Reminyl, since it is the brand most people will be familiar with, although other brands may become available.

Reminyl is the name given to the particular brand of galantamine hydrobromide produced by a company called Shire Pharmaceuticals. It is licensed for the treatment of mild to moderately severe Alzheimer's disease. Reminyl is not claimed to be a cure for Alzheimer's disease. It treats the symptoms only and there is no evidence that it could halt or reverse the process of brain cell damage that causes Alzheimer's disease.