Galantamine: What It Is, How It Works, and What Alternatives Exist

When you hear galantamine, a prescription medication used to treat mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease by boosting acetylcholine levels in the brain. Also known as Razadyne, it’s one of the few drugs approved to help slow memory decline in early-stage dementia. Unlike supplements that promise quick fixes, galantamine has real clinical backing—it’s been studied in thousands of patients and is still used today, even as newer options appear.

It works differently than other Alzheimer’s drugs. While donepezil (Aricept) just blocks the enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine, galantamine does two things: it does that same job, plus it helps receptors in the brain respond better to the chemical. That dual action is why some doctors pick it over other options, especially if a patient doesn’t respond well to donepezil alone. And then there’s memantine, which works on a completely different pathway—targeting glutamate, not acetylcholine. Many people take galantamine and memantine together because they cover more ground in the brain.

But here’s the thing: none of these drugs reverse Alzheimer’s. They just help manage symptoms longer. That’s why people often compare them—not just for effectiveness, but for side effects. Galantamine can cause nausea, vomiting, or dizziness, especially at first. That’s why starting low and going slow matters. If those side effects are too much, switching to donepezil or memantine is common. And if cost is a concern, generic galantamine is usually cheaper than brand-name Razadyne.

What you’ll find in the posts below isn’t just a list of drugs. It’s a real-world comparison of how galantamine stacks up against Aricept, memantine, and even newer treatments like aducanumab. You’ll see how dosing differs, what patients actually report after months of use, and which options are easier to tolerate long-term. No fluff. No marketing. Just straight talk on what works, what doesn’t, and why.