Namenda (memantine) reduces the actions of chemicals in the brain that may contribute to the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease.
Namenda is used to treat moderate to severe dementia of the Alzheimer's type.
Namenda's mechanism of action is to help balance a brain chemical called glutamate. In Alzheimer's, there can be too much glutamate activity, which can harm brain cells. By controlling glutamate, Namenda may help protect brain cells from damage and improve memory and thinking skills in some people with Alzheimer's. Namenda is not a cure for Alzheimer's.
Because Namenda works differently from other Alzheimer's medications, it may be prescribed along with other Alzheimer's drugs for better results. Namenda belongs to the drug class called NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) inhibitors.
Namenda (memantine) gained FDA approval on October 16, 2003. A Namenda generic is available under the name memantine.
Indications
Namenda (memantine) reduces the actions of chemicals in the brain that may contribute to the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease.
Namenda is used to treat moderate to severe dementia of the Alzheimer's type.
Namenda's mechanism of action is to help balance a brain chemical called glutamate. In Alzheimer's, there can be too much glutamate activity, which can harm brain cells. By controlling glutamate, Namenda may help protect brain cells from damage and improve memory and thinking skills in some people with Alzheimer's. Namenda is not a cure for Alzheimer's.
Because Namenda works differently from other Alzheimer's medications, it may be prescribed along with other Alzheimer's drugs for better results. Namenda belongs to the drug class called NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) inhibitors.
Namenda (memantine) gained FDA approval on October 16, 2003. A Namenda generic is available under the name memantine.
Contraindications
Do not take Namenda if you are allergic to memantine, Namenda, or any of the inactive ingredients in the tablets (see the ingredient list below).
Before taking Namenda, tell your doctor about all your medical conditions including if you have:
have or have had seizures or epilepsy have liver disease have kidney disease have problems passing urine have a bladder or kidney infection are pregnant or plan to become pregnant are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.
Side Effects
The most common Namenda side effects are:
dizziness headache confusion constipation.
Warnings
Your body gets rid of Namenda through your urine . Some health conditions, such as a urinary tract infection, kidney disease, medications, or diet can make your urine less acidic (raise its pH). If this happens, your body might not remove Namenda as well as it should. This could cause more Namenda to stay in your blood than usual.
Namenda can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions . Be careful if you drive or do anything requiring you to be alert.
Namenda may cause an allergic reaction . Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Namenda: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
High Risk Groups
Your body gets rid of Namenda through your urine . Some health conditions, such as a urinary tract infection, kidney disease, medications, or diet can make your urine less acidic (raise its pH). If this happens, your body might not remove Namenda as well as it should. This could cause more Namenda to stay in your blood than usual.
Namenda can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions . Be careful if you drive or do anything requiring you to be alert.
Namenda may cause an allergic reaction . Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Namenda: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Adult Dosage
2.5 mg (2.5 (2.5)) 6 hourly PO —
Child Dosage
0.04 to 0.166 mg/kg (0.1 (0.103)) 8 hourly Oral —
Neonatal Dosage
No neonatal dosage information is recorded for this medicine yet.
Drug Interactions
Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using, especially:
amantadine ketamine zonisamide cough medicine that contains dextromethorphan (Delsym, Robitussin Maximum Strength, Vicks 44, and others) medicines to make the urine alkaline - urine sodium bicarbonate, potassium citrate (K-Lyte, Urocit-K), sodium citrate and citric acid (Bicitra, Oracit), or sodium citrate and potassium (Citrolith, Polycitra) (can reduce the clearance of Namenda by about 80%) medicine to treat glaucoma or increased pressure inside the eyes - acetazolamide, methazolamide.
This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with memantine, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.
