Patient leaflet - Reminyl XL 16 mg prolonged-release capsules
1. What Reminyl XL is and what it is used for
Reminyl XL contains the active substance ‘galantamine’ an antidementia medicine. It is used in adults to treat the symptoms of mild to moderately severe Alzheimer’s disease, a type of dementia that alters brain function.
Alzheimer’s disease causes increasing memory loss, confusion and behavioural changes which make it increasingly difficult to carry out normal daily activities. These effects are thought to be caused by a lack of ‘acetylcholine’, a substance responsible for sending messages between brain cells. Reminyl increases the amount of acetylcholine in the brain and treats the signs of the disease.
The capsules are made in a ‘prolonged-release’ form. This means that they release the medicine slowly.
2. What you need to know before you take Reminyl XL
Do not take Reminyl XL
- if you are allergic to galantamine or to any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6)
- if you have severe liver or severe kidney disease
Warnings and precautions
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Reminyl XL. This medicine is only used in Alzheimer’s disease, and is not recommended for other types of memory loss or confusion.
Serious side effects
Reminyl XL can cause serious skin reactions, heart problems, fits (seizures). You must be aware of these side effects while you are taking Reminyl. See ‘Look out for serious side effects’ in section 4.
Before you take Reminyl XL, your doctor needs to know if you have, or have had, any of the following:
- liver or kidney problems
a heart condition (such as chest discomfort that is often brought on by physical activity, a heart
attack, heart failure, slow or uneven heart beat, prolonged QTc interval)
- changes in ‘electrolyte’ levels (naturally occurring chemicals in the blood, such as potassium)
- a peptic (stomach) ulcer
- blockage of the stomach or intestines
a disorder of the nervous system [such as epilepsy or problems controlling movements of the
body or limbs (extrapyramidal disorder)]
a respiratory disease or infection that affects breathing (such as asthma, obstructive pulmonary
disease, or pneumonia)
- problems passing urine
Your doctor will decide if Reminyl XL is suitable for you, or if the dose needs to be changed
Also tell your doctor if you recently had an operation on the stomach, intestines or bladder. Your doctor may decide that Reminyl XL is not suitable for you.
Reminyl XL can cause weight loss. Your doctor will check your weight regularly while you are taking Reminyl XL.
Children and adolescents
Reminyl XL is not recommended for children and adolescents.
Other medicines and Reminyl XL
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines.
Reminyl XL should not be used with medicines that work in a similar way. These include:
- donepezil or rivastigmine (for Alzheimer’s disease)
ambenonium, neostigmine or pyridostigmine (for severe
muscle weakness)
- pilocarpine (when taken by mouth for dry mouth or dry eyes)
Some medicines can make side effects more likely in people taking Reminyl XL. These include:
- medicines affecting the QTc interval
- paroxetine or fluoxetine (antidepressants)
- quinidine (for uneven heart beat)
- ketoconazole (an antifungal)
- erythromycin (an antibiotic)
- ritonavir (for human immunodeficiency virus or ‘HIV’).
non-steroidal anti-inflammatory painkillers
(such as ibuprofen) which can increase the risk of ulcers.
medicines taken for heart conditions or high blood pressure (such as digoxin, amiodarone,
atropine, beta-blockers, or calcium channel blocking agents). If you take medicines for an uneven heart-beat, your doctor may check your heart using an electrocardiogram (ECG).
Your doctor may give you a lower dose of Reminyl XL if you are also taking some of these medicines.
Reminyl XL may affect some anaesthetics. If you are going to have an operation under a general anaesthetic, tell the doctor that you are taking Reminyl, well in advance.
If you have any questions, talk to your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding
If you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine.
You should not breastfeed while you are taking Reminyl XL.
Driving and using machines
Reminyl XL may make you feel dizzy or sleepy, especially during the first few weeks of treatment. If Reminyl XL affects you, do not drive or use any tools or machinery.
Reminyl XL contains Sucrose
If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicine.
3. How to take Reminyl XL capsules
Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
If you are currently taking Reminyl tablets or oral solution and have been told by your doctor to switch to Reminyl XL prolonged-release capsules, carefully read the instructions under ‘Switching from taking Reminyl tablets or oral solution to Reminyl capsule in this section.
How much to take
You will start treatment with Reminyl XL at a low dose. The usual starting dose is 8 mg, taken once a day. Your doctor may gradually increase your dose, every 4 weeks or more until you reach a dose that is suitable for you. The maximum dose is 24 mg, taken once day.
Your doctor will explain what dose to start with and when the dose should be increased. If you are not sure what to do, or find the effect of Reminyl XL is too strong or too weak, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
Your doctor will need to see you regularly, to check that this medicine is working and to discuss how you are feeling.
If you have a liver or kidney problem, your doctor may give you a reduced dose of Reminyl XL, or may decide this medicine is not suitable for you.
Switching from taking Reminyl tablets or oral solution to Reminyl XL capsules If you are currently taking Reminyl tablets or oral solution, your doctor may decide you should switch to Reminyl XL prolonged-release capsules. If this applies to you:
- Take your last dose of Reminyl tablets or oral solution in the evening.
The next morning, take your first dose of Reminyl XL
prolonged-release capsule.
DO NOT take more than one capsule in a day. While you are taking once daily Reminyl XL capsules, Do NOT take Reminyl tablets or oral solution.
How to take
Reminyl XL capsules must be swallowed whole and NOT chewed or crushed. Take your dose of Reminyl XL once a day in the morning, with water or other liquids. Try to take Reminyl XL with food. Drink plenty of liquids while you are taking Reminyl XL, to keep yourself hydrated.
If you take more Reminyl XL than you should If you take too much Reminyl XL, contact a doctor or hospital straight away. Take any remaining capsules and the packaging with you. The signs of overdose may include,
- severe nausea and vomiting.
- weak muscle, slow heart beat, fits (seizures) and loss of consciousness.
If you forget to take Reminyl XL
If you forget to take one dose, miss out the forgotten dose completely and take the next dose at the normal time. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.
If you forget to take more than one dose, contact your doctor.
If you stop taking Reminyl XL
Check with your doctor before you stop taking Reminyl XL. It is important to continue taking this medicine to treat your condition.
If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
4. Possible side effects
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
Look out for serious side effects.
Stop taking Reminyl and see a doctor or go to your nearest emergency department immediately if you notice any of the following. Skin reactions, including:
- Severe rash with blisters and peeling skin, particularly around the mouth, nose, eyes and genitals (Stevens-Johnson syndrome).
- Red rash covered with small pus-filled bumps that can spread over the body, sometimes with a fever (acute generalised exanthematous pustulosis).
- Rash that may blister, with spots that look like small targets.
These skin reactions are rare in people taking Reminyl (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people).
Heart problems, including changes in heart beat (such as a slow beat, extra beats) or palpitations (heart beat feels fast or uneven). Heart problems may show as an abnormal tracing on an electrocardiogram (ECG), and can be common in people taking Reminyl XL (may affect up to 1 in 10 people).
Fits (seizures). These are uncommon in people taking Reminyl XL (may affect up to 1 in 100 people).
You must stop taking Reminyl and get help immediately if you notice any of the side effects above.
Other Side effects:
Very Common side effects (may affect more than 1 in 10 people):
- Nausea and vomiting. These side effects are more likely to happen in the first few weeks of treatment or when the dose is increased. They tend to disappear gradually as the body gets used to the medicines and generally only last for a few days. If you have these effects, your doctor may recommend that you drink more liquids and, may prescribe a medicine to stop you being sick.
Common side effects (may affect up to 1 in 10 people):
- Decreased appetite; weight loss
- Seeing, feeling, or hearing things that are not there (hallucinations)
- Depression
- Feeling dizzy or fainting
- Muscle tremors or spasms
- Headache
- Feeling very tired ,weak or generally unwell
- Feeling very sleepy with low energy
- High blood pressure
- Stomach pain or discomfort
- Diarrhea
- Indigestion
- Falls
- Wounds
Package leaflet: Information for the user
Reminyl® XL 16 mg prolonged-release capsules
(galantamine) UK6280290P99-A1.0 Uncommon side effects (may affect up to 1 in 100 people):
- Allergic reaction
- Not enough water in the body (dehydration)
- Tingling or numb feeling of the skin (pins and needles)
- Change in sense of taste
- Daytime sleepiness
Problems controlling movements of the body or limbs
(extrapyramidal disorder)
- Blurred vision
- Ringing in the ears that does not go away (tinnitus)
- Low blood pressure
- Flushing
- Feeling the need to vomit (retch)
- Excessive sweating
- Weak muscles
- Increased level of liver enzymes in the blood
Rare side effects (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people):
- Inflamed liver (hepatitis)
Reporting of side effects
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly (see details below). By reporting side effects you help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
United Kingdom
You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.
5. How to Store Reminyl XL
Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the carton and blister foil after EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
Do not store above 30°C.
Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help to protect the environment.
If the medicine becomes discolored or shows any other signs of deterioration, you should seek the advice of your pharmacist who will tell you what to do.
6. Contents of the pack and other information
What Reminyl XL contains:
The active substance is galantamine.
Each prolonged release capsule contains 16 mg of galantamine (as hydrobromide)
The other ingredients are:
Diethyl phthalate, ethylcellulose, hypromellose, macrogol
400, maize starch and sucrose, gelatine, titanium dioxide (E171), iron oxide black (E172), shellac, propylene glycol (E1520). The 16 mg capsules also contain iron oxide red (E172).
What Reminyl XL looks like and contents of the pack
Reminyl XL 16 mg capsules are pink and marked ‘G16’. Each pack contains calendar blisters of 28 capsules.
Manufacturer
Janssen-Cilag SpA, Via C. Janssen, 04100 Borgo San Michele, Latina, Italy
Procured from within the EU and repackaged for the PL Holder: Abacus Medicine Ltd., Abbey House, 282 Farnborough Road, Farnborough, GU14 7NA, United Kingdom
PL 45763/0290
Reminyl® is a registered trademark of Shire Pharmaceutical Development Ltd. in the UK and Ireland.
For any information about this medicine, please contact the local representative of the Product Licence Holder:
Abacus Medicine Ltd.
tel: +44(0)2036301244
email: MedInfo@abacusmedicine.co.uk
or
drugsafetyuk@abacusmedicine.co.uk
This leaflet was last revised on 05/02/2025
More Information
If you are a person with Alzheimer’s disease or are caring for someone, and you are in England, Wales or Northern Ireland, further information, advice and support is available from the Alzheimer’s Helpline 0845 300 0336
Monday - Friday 08.30 - 18.30. The helpline is provided by the Alzheimer’s Society, Gordon House, 10 Greencoat Place, London SW1P 1PH. Telephone: 020 7306 0606, Fax: 020 7306 0808,
e-mail: info@alzheimers.org.uk.
If you are in Scotland, further information, advice and support
is available from the 24 hour Dementia Helpline on
0808 808 3000. The helpline is provided by Alzheimer Scotland - Action on Dementia, 22 Drumsheugh Gardens, Edinburgh EH3 7RN. Telephone (office): 0131 243 1453, Fax: 0131 243 1450,
email: alzheimer@alzscot.org.
POM
Blind or partially sighted?
Is this leaflet hard to see or read? Call 02036301310 or write to info@abacusmedicine.com to obtain the leaflet in a format suitable for you.