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what type of medication is memantine

by Dr. Fredrick Batz II Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Memantine is used to treat the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease (AD; a brain disease that slowly destroys the memory and the ability to think, learn, communicate and handle daily activities). Memantine is in a class of medications called NMDA receptor antagonists. It works by decreasing abnormal activity in the brain.Apr 15, 2016

Precautions

memantine Hydrochloride Tablet is a prescription medicine used for the treatment of moderate to severe dementia in people with Alzheimer’s disease. memantine Hydrochloride belongs to a class of medicines called NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) inhibitors. It is not known if memantine Hydrochloride Tablet is safe and effective in children.

Why does memantine need a prescription?

What is Namenda used to treat?

  • Uses. Memantine is used to treat moderate to severe confusion (dementia) related to Alzheimer's disease.
  • Side Effects. Body aches, dizziness, constipation, and headache may occur.
  • Precautions.
  • Interactions.

What is Memantine used for treating?

  • fatigue,
  • pain,
  • increased blood pressure,
  • dizziness,
  • headache,
  • constipation,
  • vomiting,
  • back pain,
  • confusion,
  • sleepiness,

More items...

What are the side effects of memantine?

Psychotropic medications used in Australia agedcareaity.gov.a 2 What are psychotropic ... Memantine: works by regulating the activity of glutamate, a chemical messenger involved in brain functions such as learning and memory. A common side effect of memantine is dizziness.

Is memantine a psychotropic?

Why is memantine prescribed?

Can you get pregnant while taking memantine?

Can memantine cause hallucinations?

Does memantine help with AD?

Can you take memantine if you are allergic to it?

See 2 more

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Is memantine a high risk medication?

Memantine oral tablet is used for long-term treatment. It comes with serious risks if you don't take it as prescribed. If you stop taking the drug or don't take it at all: Your dementia symptoms may not be relieved, and they may get worse.

What medications should not be taken with memantine?

Drug InteractionsAcetazolamide.Amantadine.Brinzolamide.Bupropion.Dextromethorphan.Dorzolamide.Ketamine.Methazolamide.More items...•

What stage of dementia is memantine used for?

Memantine is indicated in the United States and Europe for moderate to severe AD, which is diagnosed if a patient has a Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score of less than 15 or less than 20, respectively.

What are the most common side effects of memantine?

AdvertisementBloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet.headache.rapid weight gain.slow or fast heartbeat.tingling of the hands or feet.

Should I take memantine in the morning or at night?

Adults—One capsule once a day at bedtime. Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Should you take memantine at night?

Should memantine be taken at night? Memantine can be taken at any time of the day, but always try to take the doses at the same time every day. The medication can be taken with or without food.

How long can you take memantine?

The drug memantine is a safe and effective therapy that helps patients suffering from moderate to severe Alzheimer disease for up to a year.

Does memantine slow down dementia?

Memantine is licensed for the treatment of moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease. In people in the middle and later stages of the disease, memantine can slow down the progression of symptoms.

What is the safest medication for dementia?

Safer Medications to Considercitalopram (Celexa®)escitalopram (Lexapro®)fluoxetine (Prozac®)sertraline (Zoloft®)vortioxetine (Trintellix®)

Does memantine worsen memory?

Memantine is used to treat moderate to severe confusion (dementia) related to Alzheimer's disease. It does not cure Alzheimer's disease, but it may improve memory, awareness, and the ability to perform daily functions.

What happens when you stop taking memantine?

Although memantine is widely used and generally considered safe, an abrupt cessation of memantine may result in discontinuation syndrome that can be distressing and result in decline of natural course. We report two patients who developed significant behavior disturbance after abrupt cessation of memantine.

Does memantine affect sleep?

It is well known that memantine acts as a blocker on N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors. It produces wake promotion and insomnia in AD patients [10]. However, a few studies showed that memantine increases total awake time and reduces total sleep time [11,12].

Can I take memantine with other medications?

Memantine has no known severe interactions with other drugs.

When should you not take memantine?

Memantine hydrochloride is not recommended for children and adolescents under the age of 18 years. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines.

Does memantine worsen memory?

Memantine is used to treat moderate to severe confusion (dementia) related to Alzheimer's disease. It does not cure Alzheimer's disease, but it may improve memory, awareness, and the ability to perform daily functions.

When should memantine be stopped?

These medications should be stopped if the desired effects—stabilizing cognitive and functional status—are not perceived within a reasonable time, such as 12 weeks. In some cases, stopping cholinesterase inhibitor therapy may cause negative effects on cognition and neuropsychiatric symptoms.

Before Taking This Medicine

You should not use memantine if you are allergic to it.To make sure memantine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have: 1. epilepsy or other s...

How Should I Take Memantine?

Follow all directions on your prescription label. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results. Do not take...

What Happens If I Miss A Dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to...

What Should I Avoid While Taking Memantine?

Memantine can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake a...

Memantine Dosing Information

Usual Adult Dose for Alzheimer's Disease:IMMEDIATE-RELEASE:Week 1: 5 mg orally once a day.Week 2: 10 mg orally/day (Administer 5 mg twice a day.)We...

What Other Drugs Will Affect Memantine?

Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using, especially: 1. amantadine; 2. zonisamide; 3. cough medicine that...

Memantine Uses, Side Effects & Warnings - Drugs.com

Memantine side effects. Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.. Memantine may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have: severe headache, blurred vision, pounding in your neck or ears;. seizure (convulsions); or

Memantine: Side Effects, Dosage, Uses, and More - Healthline

Memantine oral tablet is a prescription medication used to treat moderate to severe dementia caused by Alzheimer’s disease. It helps reduce dementia symptoms, but it doesn’t cure Alzheimer’s.

Memantine for dementia what, why, who and when? - NHS England

Dr Nerida Burnie is the GP lead for dementia in Kingston CCG and the GP lead for the London Dementia Clinical Network Memantine for dementia – what, why, who and when? The new dementia NICE guidelines published in June 2018 state that we should

Memantine Review 2022: Does it really help in fighting Alzheimer?

A SHORT INTRO TO MEMANTINE Memantine is a prescription drug that is also known by the brand name Namenda. It was first developed in the 1960s for the treatment of diabetes. In 2003, the FDA approved Memantine for the treatment of both severe and moderate Alzheimer’s disease. However, the drug does not cure Alzheimer’s. What it […]

Memantine: Generic, Uses, Side Effects, Dosages, Interactions ... - RxList

Memantine is a prescription drug used to treat moderate to severe confusion related to Alzheimer's disease.It does not cure Alzheimer's disease, but it may improve memory, awareness, and the ability to perform daily functions. This medication works by blocking the action of a certain natural substance in the brain that is believed to be linked to symptoms of Alzheimer's disease.

What is memantine?

Memantine reduces the actions of chemicals in the brain that may contribute to the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease.

What are the side effects of Memantine?

Common side effects may include: diarrhea; dizziness; or. headache. 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 FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. Memantine side effects (more detail)

How should I take memantine?

Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

What should I avoid while taking memantine?

Memantine can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.

What is the name of the medicine that makes urine alkaline?

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 ); or

Can you take memantine if you are allergic to it?

You should not use memantine if you are allergic to it. To make sure memantine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have: epilepsy or other seizure disorder; liver disease; kidney disease; urination problems; or. a bladder or kidney infection. memantine is not expected to harm an unborn baby.

Can you mix memantine with other liquids?

If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one. Do not mix the oral solution with any other liquids. Rinse the empty oral syringe with clean water and allow it to air dry after every use. Use memantine regularly to get the most benefit.

What is the form of memantine?

Memantine is a prescription drug. It comes in three forms: immediate-release tablet, oral solution, and extended-release capsule.

What to tell your doctor before taking memantine?

Before taking memantine, be sure to tell your doctor and pharmacist about all prescription, over-the-counter, and other drugs you take. Also tell them about any vitamins, herbs, and supplements you use. Sharing this information can help you avoid potential interactions.

Can memantine interact with other medications?

Different interactions can cause different effects. For instance, some can interfere with how well a drug works, while others can cause increased side effects.

Is memantine safe for pregnant women?

For pregnant women: There haven’t been enough studies done in humans to show if memantine poses a risk to a human fetus. Certain negative effects were observed in animal studies, but animal studies don’t always predict the way humans would respond.

Does memantine increase the amount of memantine in the body?

Taking these drugs with memantine can increase the amount of memantine in your body. This can lead to more side effects. Examples of these drugs include:

Can memantine cause side effects?

Memantine oral tablet can cause mild or serious side effects. The following list contains some of the key side effects that may occur while taking memantine. This list does not include all possible side effects.

Is memantine safe to take?

Memantine oral tablet is used for long-term treatment. It comes with serious risks if you don’t take it as prescribed.

What is memantine used for?

Memantine is a medication used to slow the progression of moderate-to-severe Alzheimer's disease. It is taken by mouth.

When was Memantine first marketed?

Memantine was first marketed for dementia in Germany in 1989 under the name Axura.

Which receptor does memantine interact with?

Memantine acts as an agonist at the dopamine D 2 receptor with equal or slightly higher affinity than to the NMDA receptors.

When was Memantine approved?

Memantine was approved for medical use in the United States in 2003. It is available as a generic medication. In 2017, it was the 149th most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than four million prescriptions.

Does memantine inhibit glutamatergic receptors?

Memantine is a low-affinity voltage-dependent uncompetitive antagonist at glutamatergic NMDA receptors. By binding to the NMDA receptor with a higher affinity than Mg 2+ ions, memantine is able to inhibit the prolonged influx of Ca 2+ ions, particularly from extrasynaptic receptors, which forms the basis of neuronal excitotoxicity. The low affinity, uncompetitive nature, and rapid off-rate kinetics of memantine at the level of the NMDA receptor-channel, however, preserves the function of the receptor at synapses, as it can still be activated by physiological release of glutamate following depolarization of the postsynaptic neuron. The interaction of memantine with NMDA receptors plays a major role in the symptomatic improvement that the drug produces in Alzheimer's disease. However, there is no evidence as yet that the ability of memantine to protect against NMDA receptor-mediated excitotoxicity has a disease-modifying effect in Alzheimer's, although this has been suggested in animal models.

Does memantine affect cognitive function?

It can be noted that memantine is an antagonist at Alpha-7 nAChR, which may contribute to initial worsening of cognitive function during early memantine treatment. Alpha-7 nAChR upregulates quickly in response to antagonism, which could explain the cognitive-enhancing effects of chronic memantine treatment.

Is memantine a good drug?

Memantine is, in general, well tolerated. Common adverse drug reactions (≥1% of people) include confusion, dizziness, drowsiness, headache, insomnia, agitation, and/or hallucinations. Less common adverse effects include vomiting, anxiety, hypertonia, cystitis, and increased libido.

How to take memantine?

Follow the directions exactly. Use the oral syringe that comes with the product to measure out your dose. Do not use a household spoon because you may not get the correct dose. Swallow the medication directly from the syringe. Do not mix it with water or other liquids. Rinse the syringe with water after each use. Consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

How to report memantine side effects in Canada?

In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345. Precautions. Before taking memantine, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies.

What to do if you miss a memantine?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose. Take your next dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch up. If you forget to take memantine for several days, talk to your doctor before your next dose.

Can memantine cause allergies?

Before taking memantine, tell your doctor or pharmacistif you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

Does memantine help with dementia?

Uses. Memantine is used to treat moderate to severe confusion ( dementia) related to Alzheimer's disease. It does not cure Alzheimer's disease, but it may improve memory, awareness, and the ability to perform daily functions.

How to reduce side effects of memantine?

To reduce your risk of side effects, your doctor may direct you to start this medication at a low dose and gradually increase your dose. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully. If switching from another form of memantine to the extended-release form, follow your doctor's instructions carefully. Do not switch forms of memantine without talking ...

What to do before taking memantine?

Precautions. Before taking memantine, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

What to do if you miss a memantine?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose. Take your next dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch up. If you forget to take memantine for several days, talk to your doctor before your next dose.

Does memantine help with dementia?

Uses. Memantine is used to treat moderate to severe confusion ( dementia) related to Alzheimer's disease. It does not cure Alzheimer's disease, but it may improve memory, awareness, and the ability to perform daily functions.

Can you switch memantine?

Do not switch forms of memantine without talking to your doctor first. Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same time each day. Tell your doctor if your condition worsens. Side Effects.

What are the side effects of taking Memantine?

Memantine is available as a tablet, an extended-release capsule, and an oral solution. Its more common side effects include: headache. high blood pressure. diarrhea. constipation. dizziness.

What is dementia in medical terms?

Dementia is a term that describes a wide range of symptoms associated with a decline in memory or other cognitive skills. This decline is severe enough to make you less able to perform everyday activities. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia. Other common types include:

What is the best medication for Alzheimer's?

Some of the most commonly prescribed medications used to treat symptoms of AD are cholinesterase inhibitors and memantine.

What is the FDA approved for dementia?

Types of dementia medications. Several prescription medications are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat symptoms of dementia caused by AD. These drugs can provide short-term relief from cognitive dementia symptoms.

How to help a person with dementia?

Talk with your doctor. While there’s no cure for dementia, several prescription medications can help slow the progression of its symptoms and cognitive effects. If you or a loved one has dementia, talk to your doctor about all of the treatment options. Don’t hesitate to ask questions.

Is Rivastigmine a capsule?

Rivastigmine (Exelon) Rivastigmine (Exelon) is approved to prevent or slow the symptoms of mild to moderate AD or mild to moderate Parkinson’s dementia. It’s available as a capsule and as an extended-release skin patch.

Can you use off label medication for dementia?

However, researchers are exploring off-label uses of these medications for people with non-AD dementias. Off-label drug use means that a drug that’s been approved by the FDA for one purpose is used for a different purpose that hasn’t been approved. However, a doctor can still use the drug for that purpose.

Why is memantine prescribed?

Why is this medication prescribed? Expand Section. Memantine is used to treat the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease (AD; a brain disease that slowly destroys the memory and the ability to think, learn, communicate and handle daily activities). Memantine is in a class of medications called NMDA receptor antagonists.

Can you get pregnant while taking memantine?

if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking memantine.

Can memantine cause hallucinations?

hallucination (seeing things or hearing voices that do not exist) Memantine may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.

Does memantine help with AD?

Memantine may improve the ability to think and remember or may slow the loss of these abilities in people who have AD. However, memantine will not cure AD or prevent the loss of these abilities at some time in the future.

Can you take memantine if you are allergic to it?

tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to memantine, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in memantine tablets, capsules, and oral solution. Ask your pharmacist or check the manufacturer's patient information for a list of the ingredients.

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Overview

Memantine is used to treat moderate to severe confusion (dementia) related to Alzheimer's disease.

May Treat: Moderate to severe Alzheimer's type dementia

Brand Names: Namenda · Namenda XR · Namenda Titration Pak

Drug Class: Alzheimer's Disease Therapy - NMDA Receptor Antagonists

Availability: Prescription Required

Pregnancy: Consult a doctor before using

May Treat: Moderate to severe Alzheimer's type dementia

Brand Names: Namenda · Namenda XR · Namenda Titration Pak

Drug Class: Alzheimer's Disease Therapy - NMDA Receptor Antagonists

Availability: Prescription Required

Pregnancy: Consult a doctor before using

Lactation: Consult a doctor before using

Alcohol: Limit intake while taking this medication

Driving: May cause drowsiness or dizziness. Use caution

Precautions

  • If available, read the patient package insert
  • Tell doctor your complete medical history
  • Review all drugs you are taking with your doctor

  • If available, read the patient package insert
  • Tell doctor your complete medical history
  • Review all drugs you are taking with your doctor
  • Swallow capsules whole.
  • For capsule sprinkle, extended release 24 hr products : Do not chew or crush. May add contents to applesauce. Do not chew. May take with or without food. Take at the same time every day. May make you drowsy or dizzy. Drive with caution.
  • For solution, oral products : Measure dose using a dosing spoon/cup/syringe.
  • For tablet products : Take at the same time(s) daily as directed. May make you dizzy. Use caution when driving. Reduce or avoid drinking alcohol. Call doctor if you are not getting better.

Medical use

Adverse effects

Pharmacology

History

Memantine is a medication used to slow the progression of moderate-to-severe Alzheimer's disease. It is taken by mouth.
Common side effects include headache, constipation, sleepiness, and dizziness. Severe side effects may include blood clots, psychosis, and heart failure. It is believed to work by blocking NMDA receptors.

Society and culture

Memantine is used to treat moderate-to-severe Alzheimer's disease, especially for people who are intolerant of or have a contraindication to AChE (acetylcholinesterase) inhibitors. One guideline recommends memantine or an AChE inhibitor be considered in people in the early-to-mid stage of dementia.
Memantine has been associated with a modest improvement; with small positive effects on cog…

Research

Memantine is, in general, well tolerated. Common adverse drug reactions (≥1% of people) include confusion, dizziness, drowsiness, headache, insomnia, agitation, and/or hallucinations. Less common adverse effects include vomiting, anxiety, hypertonia, cystitis, and increased libido.
Like many other NMDA antagonists, memantine behaves as a dissociative anesthetic at supratherapeutic doses. Despite isolated reports, recreational use of memantine is rare due to t…

Further reading

A dysfunction of glutamatergic neurotransmission, manifested as neuronal excitotoxicity, is hypothesized to be involved in the etiology of Alzheimer's disease. Targeting the glutamatergic system, specifically NMDA receptors, offers a novel approach to treatment in view of the limited efficacy of existing drugs targeting the cholinergic system.
Memantine is a low-affinity voltage-dependent uncompetitive antagonist at glutamatergic NMDA …

1.Memantine: MedlinePlus Drug Information

Url:https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a604006.html

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