The O-demethylation of the antidementia drug galanthamine is catalysed by cytochrome P450 2D6.

Galanthamine proved effective in symptomatic treatment of senile dementia of Alzheimer's type. The aim of this study was to elucidate the metabolism of galanthamine. Two novel metabolites of galanthamine have been isolated from the urine of eight young men after single doses of 10-15 mg.

The effect of the new immunosuppressive drug FK506 on the formation of secondary metabolites of cyclosporin A.

Interactions of FK506 with the cyclosporin A (CsA) metabolism are described. These interactions were not differentiated between the primary and secondary part of metabolism. The combination-therapy with cyclosporin A and diltiazem has shown, that not only the blood levels of CsA were increased, but also the blood levels of the primary CsA-metabolite M17.

Effect of the cholinesterase inhibiting substance galanthamine on human EEG and visual evoked potentials.

The action of galanthamine (GAL), a cholinesterase inhibiting substance, on resting EEG and on flash visual evoked potentials (VEPs) was tested in 9 healthy subjects. Alpha power was increased significantly in 4 of 8 subjects after the infusion of 10 mg, which provided a median inhibition of 47% of acetylcholinesterase in erythrocytes. Mean alpha frequency and peak alpha frequency decreased significantly in 5 of the 8 subjects by 0.