Galanthamine extract is specific, competitive and reversible acetylcholinesterase inhibitor. It is also an allosteric modulator at nicotinic cholinergic receptor sites potentiating cholinergic nicotinic neurotransmission. Both the acetylcholine and nicotine receptors have been suggested as areas related to cognitive impairment. Initially, Galanthamine extract was used in anesthesiology to antagonize the effects of non-depolarizing muscle relaxants, and since then it was rapidly introduced in other areas of medicine, i.e. neurology, ophthalmology, gastroenterology, intensive care and resuscitation, cardiology, physiotherapy.

Galanthamine extract is a product with broad therapeutic index, allowing "soft" manifestation of its effect with individual dosing depending on the particular case.

Galanthamine marketed under the name of Reminyl by Johnson & Johnson's Belgian subsidiary, Janssen Pharmaceutica and Britain's Shire Pharmaceuticals, is licensed for the treatment of mild to moderately severe Alzheimer's disease, and was launched in September 2000 and approved by FDA in Feb.2001.