View source for Tacrine

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===Better Known as: Cognex===
* Marketed By: Parke Davis Pharmaceuticals <br />
* Major Indication: [[Alzheimer's Disease]]<br />
* Drug Class: [[Acetylcholinesterase]] Inhibitor
* Date of FDA Approval (Patent Expiration): 1993 (N/A)<br />
* 1994 Sales: $100 Million
* Importance: One of the the first treatments for the symptoms of [[Alzheimer's Disease]], although no definitive proof exists as to whether it alters the progression of the disease. 
* See: [[Pharmaceutical Drugs]] for more information about other drugs and disorders


===Mechanism of Action===
Tacrine is an [[Acetylcholinesterase]] (AChE) inhibitor. It binds to the active site of <scene name='Tacrine/Ache/1'>AChE</scene>, utilizing many of the same residues which <scene name='Tacrine/Ac/1'>bind and break down acetylcholine</scene>. By inhibiting AChE, the important neurotransmitter, [[acetylcholine]], is degraded at a slower rate, helping reverse the marked decrease in neuronal function evident in [[Alzheimer's Disease]] patients. Tacrine <scene name='Tacrine/Bound/2'>primarily interacts with residues</scene> Phe 330, His 440, Trp 84, & Ser 200 in tightly binding to the AChE binding site via pi stacking interactions. It is clearly visible how <scene name='Tacrine/Inter/3'>Tacrine interferes</scene> with the binding of acetylcholine, outcompeting acetylcholine for nearly the same space in the active site. <ref>PMID:8415649</ref>

===Pharmacokinetics===
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{{:Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitor Pharmacokinetics}}
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===References===
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