Galantamine-associated nightmares and anxiety.

BACKGROUND

This case report describes recurrent nightmares and anxiety possibly caused by the administration and rapid dose titration of galantamine.

CASE SUMMARY: A 90-year-old male with Alzheimer's disease was initiated on galantamine 4 mg twice daily for 10 days, followed by 8 mg twice daily thereafter. On followup to the geriatric clinic, the patient reported complaints of nightmares and associated anxiety. The occurrences of nightmares developed after initiating galantamine and temporally increased with galantamine titration. After discontinuation of galantamine, the patient reported no further occurrences of nightmares or anxiety and memory function remained stable.

CONCLUSION

Galantamine-associated nightmares are an uncommon adverse event and may have been exacerbated by rapid titration. Although such adverse events are unlikely to cause harm in the patient, such sleep abnormalities have the potential to decrease a patient's quality of life and may require the need for alternative therapy.