The efficacy of galantamine in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease: comparison of patients previously treated with acetylcholinesterase inhibitors to patients with no prior exposure.

BACKGROUND

Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEIs) can provide benefits at the cognitive, behavioral, and functional levels to patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). With more AChEIs now available, treatment considerations may include whether the patient has had prior exposure to an AChEI.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the effects of galantamine in patients with AD who were previously exposed to AChEIs with its effects in patients with AD who had no previous exposure, using a post hoc analysis.

RESULTS

Patients in groups treated with galantamine 16 mg/day and 24 mg/day achieved statistically significant improvements in ADAS-cog/11 scores in comparison with those who received placebo (naive: p = 0.003 and 0.005, respectively; prior exposure: p < 0.001 and 0.001, respectively). Similarly, a greater number of patients treated with galantamine 16 mg/day and 24 mg/day exhibited no change or improvement in their CIBIC-plus scores compared to patients who received placebo (naive: p < 0.001 and p = 0.077, respectively; prior exposure: p = 0.005 and p = 0.001, respectively). There were no significant differences in adverse events between naive patients and those with prior exposure to AChEIs.

CONCLUSIONS

Galantamine is effective and safe in patients with AD, regardless of previous exposure to AChEIs.