The Department of Health and Social Care  has issued a medicines supply notification for galantamine 8mg, 16mg and 24mg modified-release capsules. The anticipated resupply date is Friday 25 July for 8mg and 24mg, and Friday 30 May for 16mg capsules.

Actions for prescribers

Where patients have insufficient supplies to last until the re-supply date, prescribers should:

1. Consider maintaining the same treatment by prescribing galantamine 20mg/5ml oral solution sugar free which is able to support the market during this time, ensuring that the patient is not intolerant to any of the excipients and is counselled on the change in dosing schedule.
2. Consider prescribing unlicensed supplies of galantamine 8mg, 16mg and 24mg modified-release capsules, only where licensed galantamine 20mg/5ml oral solution is not appropriate. Prescribers should work with local pharmacy teams to ensure orders are placed within appropriate time frames as lead times may vary
3. If the above options are not considered appropriate, seek advice from specialists on suitability of an alternative acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (see supporting information) in solid dosage form (donepezil tablets or rivastigmine capsules).

ScriptSwitch® messages have been enabled to provide information on this shortage to support primary care. 

Clinicians should refer to the SPS Medicines Shortage Tool for MSN/2025/022 for actions required and supporting information.