Huperzine A Supplement Information

Alternate Names

Hup A, Huperzina A, Huperzine, Huperzine-A, Selagine

Description

Huperzine A is used to improve memory and mental function in people with Alzheimer disease or other types of dementia. It also has neuro protective effects.

Illnesses and Symptoms Possibly Supported

Alzheimers Disease

Memory Loss

Dementia

Myasthenia Gravis (not enough data to fully support this yet)

Cocaine Use Disorder (not enough data to support this yet)

Menopausal “Brain Fog”

Where is it Sourced From?

Huperzine A is a chemical extracted from Chinese club moss (Huperzia) or fir club moss (Huperzia Serrata – native to India and Southeast Asia). Although the makers of huperzine A start with a plant, their product is the result of a lot of laboratory manipulation.

Interesting Fact

Products that combine huperzine A with certain drugs used for treating Alzheimer’s Disease are being studied. These “hybrid” products are of interest because they may be effective at lower doses and, therefore, cause fewer side effects. One hybrid, called huprine X, combines huperzine A with the drug donepezil. Another hybrid being studied contains huperzine A and the drug tacrine.

Mechanism of Action (How does it work?)

Huperzine A acts as a cholinesterase inhibitor — a type of medication that works by improving the levels of neurotransmitters (acetylcholine) in the brain.

Small early studies suggest that huperzine A might improve memory and protect nerve cells, which could slow the cognitive decline associated with Alzheimer’s.

Dosage

Alzheimer’s Disease: 50-200 mcg BID

Memory Problems: 50 – 100 mcg BID

Prevention of Muscle Weaknes in Myasthenia Gravis 400 mcg IM a day

Huperzine A is sold by many companies in regular drug stores.

How Long Can it Safely Be Taken?

For no more then 6 months

Safety in Pregnancy

Not considered safe in pregnancy

Safety in Children

Not enough data to support use in children

Possible Side Effects

Nausea, Constipation, Diarrhea, Elevated Blood Pressure, Slow Heart Rate, Dizziness, Blurred Visions, Loss of Appetite, Muscle Cramping, Dry Mouth, Increased Urination, Sweating, Restlessness

Possible Drug Interactions

Anticholinergic drugs such as donepezil (Aricept), rivastigmine (Exelon) or galantamine (Razadyne), Gluacoma drugs, Epilepsy drugs

Use Precautions with

Epilepsy, Gastrointestinal Problems, Lung Problems / COPD, Slow Heart Rate

Clinical Trials

-Patients with Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) showed significant improvement in cognition and task switching abilities post Huperzine-A treatment compared with baseline performance. https://journals.lww.com/jcma/fulltext/2019/10000/huperzine_a,_a_versatile_herb,_for_the_treatment.5.aspx

-This study shows Huperzine A to be a highly effective drug that could serve as a disease modifying drug for Alzheimers Disease. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4137276/

-More studies on huperzine a with alzheimers disease. https://www.adcs.org/

-Here are multiple studies on Huperzine https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/neuroscience/huperzine-a