Clinical experience with and side-effects of tacrine hydrochloride in Alzheimer's disease: a pilot study

Pharmacological manipulation of central cholinergic neurotransmission may prove beneficial in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Tacrine hydrochloride is a central anticholinesterase which has been said to improve intellectual function in patients with AD. We report here our clinical experience with this drug in eight patients with AD, diagnosed according to DSM III and NINCDS-ADRDA criteria. Cholinergic side-effects occurred in five patients, three of whom tolerated a reduced dose. Liver function tests rose within the normal range in all patients and became abnormal in one.