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Memantine

Memantine

Memantine belongs to the group of medications known as NMDA receptor antagonists. It is used alone or with other medications to treat people with moderate-to-severe Alzheimer's Disease.

Available form

Tablet

Dosage

5mg, 10mg

Manufacturers

Apotex, Laboratoire Riva, Pharmascience, Ranbaxy Pharmaceuticals, Sandoz, Sanis Health, Sivem, Teva

Branded drugs

Ebixa

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Memantine information

Dosage

Side Effects

Available Form

Contraindications

Precautions

Warnings

Directions of use

The usual starting dose of memantine is 5 mg once daily. This dose is gradually increased, usually over a one-month period, to 10 mg twice daily. By gradually increasing the dose, the side effects of this medication are less severe.

Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.

Memantine tablets can be taken with or without food. The tablets should be swallowed whole with a glass of water and should not be chewed.

It is important to take Memantine exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you miss a dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Store Memantine at room temperature in a dry place and keep it out of the reach of children.

Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent.

The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes this medication. If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of Memantine with your doctor.

The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking Memantine. Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.

Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.

Constipation
dizziness
drowsiness
fatigue

headache
loss of appetite
trouble sleeping
vomiting

Although most of the side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not seek medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

behavior changes (e.g., aggression, rage, agitation, anxiety, paranoia)
change in frequency of urination
confusion
change in balance and coordination especially when walking
fungal infection
hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not actually there)
high blood pressure
signs of a blood clot in the arm or leg (tenderness, pain, swelling, warmth, or redness in the arm or leg) or lungs (difficulty breathing, sharp chest pain that is worst when breathing in, coughing, coughing up blood, sweating, or passing out)
signs of Depression (e.g., poor concentration, changes in weight, changes in sleep, decreased interest in activities, thoughts of suicide)
signs of heart failure (e.g., decreased heart rate, difficulty breathing, build up of fluid in the legs and ankles)
signs of liver problems (e.g., nausea, vomiting, Diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss, yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, dark urine, pale stools)
signs of pancreatitis (e.g., abdominal pain on the upper left side, back pain, nausea, Fever, chills, rapid heartbeat, swollen abdomen)
trouble walking
vision changes

Stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:

seizures
signs of a Anaphylaxis (severe allergic reaction) (Hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of the mouth, lips, or throat)
signs of a severe skin reaction (e.g., blistering, peeling, a rash covering a large area of the body, a rash that spreads quickly, or a rash combined with fever or discomfort)

Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking Memantine.

Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use Memantine.

Eyes: Memantine may build up in the tear fluid and contribute to changes in the eyes and possible changes in vision. People taking memantine should have regular check-ups from their eye doctor. If you notice any changes to your vision, contact your doctor as soon as possible.

Heart disease: Memantine may cause increased blood pressure, slowed heartbeat and occasionally, heart failure. If you have heart problems, discuss with your doctor how Memantine may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Memantine, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Kidney function: The kidneys remove mematadine from the body. When the kidneys aren't working properly, the medication can build up in the body and cause side effects. Memantine is not recommended for people with severe Kidney Disease.

If you have reduced kidney function or moderate kidney disease you may need a lower dose of memantine. Discuss with your doctor how Memantine may affect your medical condition and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Liver function: The safety of memantine when given to someone with severely reduced liver function has not been studied and is not recommended. If you have reduced liver function or liver disease, discuss with your doctor how Memantine may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Memantine, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Reduced elimination from the body: The elimination of memantine from the body can be reduced in certain situations. These include changing from a normal diet to a strict vegetarian diet, taking certain medications (e.g., sodium bicarbonate, Acetazolamide), having a kidney condition called renal tubular acidosis, or having a urinary tract infection. Your doctor will monitor your condition closely in these situations.

Seizures: Memantine has not been studied for use by people who have seizure disorders (such as Epilepsy). If you have a history of seizure disorder, discuss with your doctor how Memantine may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Memantine, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Pregnancy: Memantine should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking this medication, contact your doctor immediately.

Breast-feeding: It is not known if memantine passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking Memantine, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.

Children: The safety and effectiveness of using Memantine have not been established for children.

Seniors: There is limited information about the safety of memantine for people over the age of 85.

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