Reminyl becomes Razadyne

Effective today, galantamine’s trade name changes from Reminyl to Razadyne. Manufacturer Ortho-McNeil Neurologics changed the name because doctors and pharmacists occasionally confused Reminyl with Amaryl (glimepiride), a diabetes drug prescribed to reduce blood sugar. Lowering blood sugar in individuals who do not have higher-than-normal levels is potentially harmful. Two individuals who mistakenly received Amaryl died.

In December 2004, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a new "extended release" form of galantamine designed to be taken once a day. That product became available in May 2005 as Razadyne ER.

For more information, please see:

• An Alzheimer’s Association Oct. 27, 2004, research news story: "Consumer Alert: Check Your Alzheimer Medicine"
  
  
• An Alzheimer’s Association fact sheet on cholinesterase inhibitors
  
  
• Ortho-McNeil’s Razadyne Web site