Memantine

Memantine is used to treat moderate to severe dementia in people with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). It is an oral tablet or capsule that is taken once or twice a day. Memantine works to help relieve symptoms of AD by blocking NMDA receptors that, when persistently activated by glutamate, cause AD symptoms. While this mechanism helps to manage symptoms, memantine has not been shown to prevent or slow the underlying nerve degeneration associated with AD. Memantine belongs to the drug class called N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists. Memantine was FDA-approved on October 16, 2003, under the brand name Namenda. Generic memantine became available in 2010.

Memantine is used to treat moderate to severe dementia in people with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). It is an oral tablet or capsule that is taken once or twice a day. Memantine works to help relieve symptoms of AD by blocking NMDA receptors that, when persistently activated by glutamate, cause AD symptoms. While this mechanism helps to manage symptoms, memantine has not been shown to prevent or slow the underlying nerve degeneration associated with AD. Memantine belongs to the drug class called N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists. Memantine was FDA-approved on October 16, 2003, under the brand name Namenda. Generic memantine became available in 2010.

Before taking memantine, tell your doctor if you are allergic to memantine, Namenda, or any inactive ingredients in the tablets or capsules. Tell your healthcare provider about all your medical conditions, including if you: have a seizure disorder have cataracts have liver or kidney disease have a bladder or kidney infection have problems passing urine are pregnant or intending to become pregnant are breastfeeding. It is not known if memantine is safe and effective in children.

The most common side effects of memantine include: dizziness headache confusion constipation.

Memantine can cause serious allergic reactions , including anaphylaxis. Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to memantine with symptoms such as hives, difficulty breathing, and swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Conditions that increase the pH of the urine (such as kidney disease, prolonged vomiting, and some medications) may decrease how much memantine is excreted, which may increase blood levels of memantine. Tell your healthcare provider about all your medical conditions. Call your doctor at once if you have: severe headache, blurred vision, pounding in your neck or ears seizure (convulsions) unusual changes in mood or behavior. These are not all the possible side effects of memantine. For more information, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Memantine can cause serious allergic reactions , including anaphylaxis. Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to memantine with symptoms such as hives, difficulty breathing, and swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Conditions that increase the pH of the urine (such as kidney disease, prolonged vomiting, and some medications) may decrease how much memantine is excreted, which may increase blood levels of memantine. Tell your healthcare provider about all your medical conditions. Call your doctor at once if you have: severe headache, blurred vision, pounding in your neck or ears seizure (convulsions) unusual changes in mood or behavior. These are not all the possible side effects of memantine. For more information, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

10 mg (10 (10)) 12 hourly PO — Maintenance 5 mg (5 (5)) 24 hourly PO — Initially for 1 week. Scraped Dose — Your doctor will tell you how much memantine to take and when to take it. Memantine tablets or extended-release capsules may be taken with food or without food. Do not use any tablets or capsules of memantine that are damaged or show signs of tampering. Memantine hydrochloride extended-release capsules should be swallowed whole or may be opened and the contents sprinkled on applesauce and then swallowed. The entire contents of each memantine hydrochloride extended-release capsule should be consumed; the dose should not be divided.

No child dosage information is recorded for this medicine yet.

No neonatal dosage information is recorded for this medicine yet.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Taking memantine with certain other medicines may affect each other or cause serious side effects. Especially tell your doctor if you take: other NMDA antagonists such as amantadine, ketamine, and dextromethorphan medicines that make your urine alkaline, such as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors and sodium bicarbonate. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for a list of these medicines, if you are not sure. Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them to show your doctor and pharmacist when you get a new medicine.

No storage information is recorded for this medicine yet.