Namenda (Memantine)

Uses

Namenda (Memantine) is used to treat moderate to severe alzheimer’s disease. It protects the brain against neuronal damage by acting as an NMDA antagonist, helping to regulate glutamate and calcium activity.

How to Use

Take this medication by mouth with water, it can be taken with or without food.

Take it exactly as directed, do not take it more often than directed.

It is important to continue to take this medication even if you are feeling better. Only stop taking it if a doctor has directed you to.

If you miss a dose

, take it as soon as you can. If it is already almost time for your next dose, take only that next dose. Do not double up on any dose. If you miss your dose for many days in a row, contact your healthcare provider, they may want to alter your dose.

Important Information

Do not operate heavy machinery, drive a car, or engage in other activity that requires fine motor skills until you are sure of how this medication affects you.

Avoid alcohol consumption, alcohol can increase chance of dizziness or drowsiness.

Stand and sit slowly when first starting this medication to avoid dizziness.

Visit with your healthcare provider regularly to go over your progress.

Inform your healthcare provider if your symptoms do not improve.

Be sure that your prescribing doctor is aware if you have any of the the following conditions before taking this medication

Kidney disease, liver disease, seizure disorders, allergic reaction history, trouble passing urine for any reason, pregnancy, breastfeeding, trying to become pregnant.

Namenda (Memantine) Side Effects

Side effects that should be immediately reported to your healthcare provider

Allergic reactions(hives, itching, rash, swelling of the face or mouth), trouble breathing, feelings of anxiety or agitation, depression, hallucinations, dizziness, seizures, vomiting, any red, loosening or blistering skin.

Other Side Effects

Diarrhea, constipation, headache, nausea, sleep changes.

Adult Dose

Alzheimer’s Disease

Immediate Release Tablets:

5 mg by mouth once daily as a starting dose. The dose is then titrated at intervals of no less than one week up to 10 mg per day taken as 5 mg twice daily, then to 15 mg per day(taken as a 5 mg dose and a separate 10 mg dose), then finally to the target daily dose of 20 mg per day taken as two separate 10 mg doses.

Sources

1. Namenda oral tablets, oral solution, memantine HCl oral tablets, oral solution[package insert]. St. Louis, MO: Forest Pharmaceuticals Inc; 2013.

2. Reisberg B, Doody R, Stoffler A et al, for the Memantine Study Group. Memantine in moderate-to-severe Alzheimer's disease. N Engl J Med 2003;348:1333-41.

3. Areosa SA, Sherriff F. Memantine for dementia. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2003;(3):CD003154. In: Cochrane Library Issue 3, 2003. Oxford: Update Software.