The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 273 No 7317 p375
18 September 2004

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Galantamine of no benefit in chronic fatigue syndrome

Galantamine is of no benefit over placebo for the treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), according to new study.

The randomised, double-blind trial involved 89 patients who received either 2.5mg, 5mg, 7.5mg or 10mg galantamine three times a day, or placebo, for 16 weeks.

No significant differences were seen between groups in either the primary outcome measure of global change or for any secondary end point.

The latter included rating scales of fatigue, sleep, quality of life and cognitive performance (JAMA 2004;292:1195-1204).

The authors say: “The lack of effect of galantamine on cognitive performance was surprising given the extent of the patients’ cognitive impairment at baseline.” And they go on to conclude that the drug provided no clinical benefits in the treatment of this condition.