Indications and Uses

Huperzine A has potent pharmacological effects and, particularly since long-term safety has not been determined, it should only be used with medical supervision. It may have some effectiveness in Alzheimer's disease and age-related memory impairment. It has been used to treat fever and some inflammatory disorders, but there is no credible scientific evidence to support these uses.

Safety Concerns

Adverse effects reported with huperzine A include gastrointestinal effects, such as nausea and diarrhea, sweating, blurred vision, fasciculations and dizziness. Possible adverse effects include vomiting, cramping, bronchospasm, bradycardia, arrhythmias, seizures, urinary incontinence, increased urination and hypersalivation.

Huperzine A should be avoided by children, pregnant women and nursing mothers.

Because of possible adverse effects in those with seizure disorders, cardiac arrhythmias and asthma, those with these disorders should avoid huperzine A. Those with irritable bowel disease, inflammatory bowel disease and malabsorption syndromes should avoid huperzine A.

Continuous use of high doses of huperzine A --such as 100 mcg or more-- may be toxic. Due to its strong anticholinesterase activity, huperzine a could cause a cholinergic reaction. Huperzine side effects could include sweating, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and cramps.

 Dosage Information

Typical dosage recommendations for purified and standardized HupA extracts are 50mcg, taken twice per day, although doses of 30-200mcg per day have been used in clinical studies to treat Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, age-associated memory impairment and senile memory disorders.