TREATMENT DATABASE

Galantamine is a selective acetylcholinesterase inhibitor which has  has been used for decades in Eastern Europe for various central nervous system disorders, including post-polio paralysis and myasthenia gravis. It was originally derived from the Galanthus Caucasicus (Caucasian snowdrop), whose nodding white blooms are among the first to appear in the spring.

A synthetic compound, galantamine hydrobromide (brand name: Razadyne), has been approved by the FDA as a treatment for Alzheimer's disease. Because galantamine increases acetylcholine, it has also been used to block the effects of nerve gas and organophosphate pesticides, which operate by blocking acetylcholine.

Chemically, galantamine reduces the action of acetylcholinesterase (AchE), the enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine. Galantamine also modulates nicotinic cholinergic receptors, which acts to increase the release of acetylcholine.

USES IN ME/CFS: The first study to test galantamine as a treatment for ME/CFS was conducted in 1996 by a team composed of Dr. Ernir Snorrason, Dr. Arni Geirsson and Dr. Kari Stefansson. Their hypothesis was that a dysfunction of the cholinergic system lay at the heart of the disease. The researchers tested their hypothesis by administering galantamine hydrobromide to 39 ME/CFS patients.

After treatment,  43% reported a 50% improvement in fatigue, pain and sleep. The authors noted that the improvement was stable, and that none of the patients who had reported 50% improvement relapsed after the cessation of the trial. More than 60% of the patients who finished the study reported a 70% improvement of sleep disturbances.

While the findings were impressive, there have been no further treatment studies.

Treatment rating for Galantamine