Clinical experiences and biochemical findings with tacrine (THA)
Henrik et al. Nybäck
Bok Engelsk 1993
| Utgitt | Copenhagen : Munksgaard , 1993
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| Omfang | 3 s.
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| Opplysninger | ABSTRACT: A clinical comparison of tacrine (THA) and placebo was performed in 15 Alzheimer patients using a double blind crossover technique over 4 plus 4 weeks with one drug-free week in between. Treatment results, as evaluated by clinical rating scales and neuropsychological tests , were mostly negative. Side effects were few, except for elevation liver enzymes wich occured in one third of the patients. CSF levels of the monoamine metabolites HVA and 5-HIAA increased on tacrine as evidence for activation of dopamine and serotonin pathways through cholinergic receptors. Pharmacokinetic investigations showed that the oral bioavailability of tacrine was low and greatly varying between subjects. Patients with high boiavailability of the drug tended to improve more, and also to have more liver enzyme elevations, than those with low bioavailability. A gel preparation for rectal administration was manufactured for comparison of plasma levels attained during one week 's treatment with levels attaained with oral capsules. Preliminary results indicate that the dose of tacrine can be reduced to 50 per cent when administered rectally, probably as by this route the rapid first-pass metabolism of the drug in the liver is diminished. A clinical trial of tacrine via the rectal route would be justified as this could decrease the number of patients improving the treatment.
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| ISBN | 87-16-15064-3
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