Salient Features of Memantine

• Memantine falls under the category of therapeutic agents called NMDA receptor antagonists. The drug works by reducing abnormal activity in the central nervous system.
• The drug has been found to improve your ability to think and remember if you have Alzheimer’s or dementia.
• However, Memantine does not cure Alzheimer’s; it simply palliates the condition.
• The neuroprotective effects of Memantine in Alzheimer’s could help prevent the neuronal loss, thereby treating the condition.
• Memantine just palliates the symptoms of dementia; it will not cure the condition or prevent the loss of memory.

Memantine vs. Namenda

Namenda is nothing but the brand name for Memantine, which works for moderate to severe Alzheimer’s and dementia. The FDA approved Memantine to be sold under the brand name Namenda in 2003 for use in people with Alzheimer’s. Generic Memantine is much cheaper than Namenda. There is no dissimilarity between them when it comes to treating dementia. Memantine is a generic name for the brand Namenda.

Working of Memantine

Although the exact mechanism of action of Memantine is poorly understood, it has been presumed that the drug works by blocking or inhibiting the action of glutamate, a neurotransmitter that is believed to be associated with the symptoms of Alzheimer’s. The drug does prevent the brain from getting damaged from excess glutamate, showing its neuroprotective effects.

Proper Usage

• Memantine is available in 5 mg and 10 mg potencies, which is to be taken by mouth. It is usually taken once or twice a day, with or without food, or as directed by a doctor.
• Make sure you read all directions on your prescription carefully. Check with your doctor if you do not understand any directions.
• Take Memantine at the same time every day, without skipping or missing the dose. Do not maneuver the dose of your own volition.
• Your doctor may start with Memantine 5 mg and then gradually increase your dose to 10 mg after a week or so, provided you respond well to the drug.
• Before taking Memantine, tell your doctor about the medications you have, drug allergies, or the treatments you are undergoing; this will help you use the dementia drug safely and effectively.

Possible Side Effects

• Headache
• Sleepiness
• Nausea
• Weight gain
• Cough

These are a few common side effects of Memantine, which may or may not occur. Some side effects can be serious – such as shortness of breath and hallucinations. If you experience either of these side effects, call your doctor right away or seek emergency medical help. Memantine may also cause other side effects.

Special Precautions and Warning

• Before treatment, tell your physician what prescription or nonprescription drugs, multivitamins, nutritional supplements, or herbal products you are taking.
• Make sure to mention if you are taking acetazolamide, amantadine, dextromethorphan, methazolamide, potassium citrate, and citric acid.
• Your physician may need to change the doses of these medications and monitor you carefully for any side effects while you are on Memantine.
• Inform your doctor if you have a urinary tract infection while taking Memantine. Also, inform your doctor if you have seizures, difficulty urinating, or kidney or liver dysfunction.
• More importantly, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant while taking this drug. Similarly, tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding
• If you are having or are supposed to undergo any surgery, including dental procedures, tell the doctor that you are on Memantine for Alzheimer’s.
• Avoid alcohol and grapefruits while taking this medicine. Continue your normal diet unless your physician tells you otherwise.

Contraindications

Men with the following medical conditions are contraindicated from using Memantine:

• Abnormal ECG
• Heart disease
• Liver dysfunction
• Severe kidney impairment
• Psychiatric illnesses
• Memantine allergy

Check with your doctor if you have these issues. Memantine is also contraindicated in patients who take certain medications.

Please check with your doctor for more information on potential drug interactions.

Memantine could help boost memory, cognition, attention, and learning in patients with Alzheimer’s. It helps prevent the formation of excess glutamate, a neurotransmitter involved in memory. Studies have shown that Memantine could improve your memory.

Research has shown that Memantine could be effective in patients who have anxiety or panic attacks, especially those who remain symptomatic in spite of adequate treatment with anxiolytics. However, the drug has not been approved for the treatment of anxiety disorders.

Memantine is just a palliative remedy for Alzheimer’s disease. It does not cure the condition permanently. Memantine acts by preventing or reducing brain damage, especially in the elderly. In fact, there is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease.

Memantine may act as a wake-promoting drug and an insomniac drug in patients with Alzheimer’s. However, studies have shown that Memantine does increase awake time and reduce sleep time. For more information on Memantine and sleep, check with your doctor.

You cannot buy Memantine online without a prescription. It is a prescription drug that should be used under the supervision of a doctor. You need to provide a prescription to buy Memantine online. In some countries, one can buy Memantine online without a prescription.

Memantine has been found effective at delaying the worsening of cognitive performance caused by Alzheimer’s within six months. It has been found effective for at least 1 in 10 people. Clinical studies have also suggested that it can palliate severe restlessness.

Although Memantine has a sedative effect, it seems to be effective for symptoms such as agitation and irritability. The drug seems to exasperate negative symptoms like apathy. However, it has no strong sedating effects.

It is unclear whether Memantine treats hallucinations but one study has found that the drug significantly improved hallucination scores. There are other medications to treat hallucinations, which are to be used under the supervision of a doctor. For more information, see your doctor.

In one clinical study, the drug has been found 85% effective. Of more than 300 patients treated with Memantine, 85% reported an improvement in their dementia symptoms. The medicine works for most patients with dementia.