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| Clinical data | |
|---|---|
| Trade names | Cognex |
| AHFS/Drugs.com | Monograph |
| MedlinePlus | a693039 |
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| Routes of administration |
Oral, rectal |
| ATC code | |
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| Pharmacokinetic data | |
| Bioavailability | 2.4–36% (oral) |
| Protein binding | 55% |
| Metabolism | Hepatic (CYP1A2) |
| Elimination half-life | 2–4 hours |
| Excretion | Renal |
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| PDB ligand | |
| CompTox Dashboard (EPA) | |
| ECHA InfoCard | 100.005.721 |
| Chemical and physical data | |
| Formula | C13H14N2 |
| Molar mass | 198.269 g·mol−1 |
| 3D model (JSmol) | |
| Melting point | 183 °C (361 °F) |
| Boiling point | 358 °C (676 °F) |
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Tacrine is a centrally acting acetylcholinesterase inhibitor and indirect cholinergic agonist (parasympathomimetic). It was the first centrally acting cholinesterase inhibitor approved for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, and was marketed under the trade name Cognex. Tacrine was first synthesised by Adrien Albert at the University of Sydney in 1949. It also acts as a histamine N-methyltransferase inhibitor.
Clinical use
Tacrine was the prototypical cholinesterase inhibitor for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. William K. Summers received a patent for this use in 1989. Studies found that it may have a small beneficial effect on cognition and other clinical measures, though study data was limited and the clinical relevance of these findings was unclear.
Tacrine has been discontinued in the US in 2013, due to concerns over safety.
Tacrine was also described as an analeptic agent used to promote mental alertness.
Adverse Effects
- Very common (>10% incidence) adverse effects include
- Increased liver function tests (LFT)
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Common (1-10% incidence) adverse effects include
- Indigestion
- Belching
- Abdominal pain
- Myalgia — muscle pain
- Confusion
- Ataxia — decreased control over bodily movements.
- Insomnia
- Rhinitis
- Rash
- Fatigue
- Weight loss
- Constipation
- Somnolence
- Tremor
- Anxiety
- Urinary incontinence
- Hallucinations
- Agitation
- Conjunctivitis (a link to tacrine treatment has not been conclusively proven)
- Diaphoresis — sweating.
- Uncommon/rare (<1% incidence) adverse effects include
- Hepatotoxicity (that is toxic effects on the liver)
- Ototoxicity (hearing/ear damage; a link to tacrine treatment has not been conclusively proven)
- Seizures
- Agranulocytosis (a link between treatment and this adverse effect has not been proven) — a potentially fatal drop in white blood cells, the body's immune/defensive cells.
- Taste changes
- Unknown incidence adverse effects include
- Urinary tract infection
- Delirium
- Other optic effects such as glaucoma, cataracts, etc. (also not conclusively linked to tacrine treatment)
- Depression
- Suicidal ideation and behaviour
- Hypotension
- Bradycardia
Overdose
As stated above, overdosage of tacrine may give rise to severe side effects such as nausea, vomiting, salivation, sweating, bradycardia, hypotension, collapse, and convulsions. Atropine is a popular treatment for overdose.
Pharmacokinetics
Major form of metabolism is in the liver via hydroxylation of benzylic carbon by CYP1A2. This forms the major metabolite 1-hydroxy-tacrine (velnacrine) which is still active.
External links
- Acetylcholinesterase: A gorge-ous enzyme QUite Interesting PDB Structure article at PDBe