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Q. What
is Huperzine?
A. Huperzine
A is a plant alkaloid derived from the Chinese club moss plant,
Huperzia serrata, which is a member of the Lycopodium
species.
Q. What
are the benefits of taking huperzine?
A. Huperzine A may be used to
treat dementia, memory loss, and other cognitive deficiencies. It may
also be helpful for individuals with myasthenia gravis and it may
protect against poisoning with organophosphate chemicals.
Q. Are there any side effects
with taking huperzine?
A. Huperzine A may cause
seizures or heart rhythm changes. It may also be associated with
blurred vision, dizziness, nausea, and increased saliva and sweat.
Q. Are there any drug
interactions with taking huperzine?
A. Huperzine
A may counteract the effects of drugs -- such as dicyclomine,
Levsin, and propantheline -- that are used to decrease
acetylcholine's effects. On the other hand, it may increase the
acetylcholine-enhancing effects of drugs such as Aricept and Cognex.
Q. What
is the recommended dosage for taking huperzine?
A. It
ranges from 60 micrograms to 200 micrograms daily. Huperzine A
should only be used with a physician's recommendation and monitoring.
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