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Memantine

Description

Memantine is used in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, a condition in which the patient's memory and ability to think, communicate, learn, and handle daily activities are impaired slowly. This medicine does not cure Alzheimer's disease; it improves the symptoms of the disease and delays disease progression.

Side effects

Major & minor side effects for Memantine

Hypersensitivity

Shortness of breath

Hallucinations

Dizziness and Drowsiness

Irregular heart beat

Rapid weight gain/loss

Tingling of hands or feet

Nausea and vomiting

Headache

Body pain

Uses of Memantine

What is it prescribed for?

Alzheimer's disease

Memantine is used to improve symptoms of and slow down the progression of Alzheimer's disease, a condition characterized by a decrease in the ability to think, learn, communicate, or handle daily activities.
Concerns

Commonly asked questions

  • Onset of action

    The amount of time required by this medicine to show its action is not clinically established.
  • Duration of effect

    The amount of time for which this medicine remains active in the body is not clinically established.
  • Safe with alcohol?

    Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
  • Is it habit forming?

    No habit forming tendencies were reported.
  • Usage in pregnancy?

    This medicine is considered safe for consumption by pregnant women. However, it must be used only when necessary and the potential benefits outweigh the risks.
  • Usage while breast-feeding?

    This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine. Your doctor may advise you to discontinue breastfeeding or to discontinue the drug based on your clinical condition.

Allergy

This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with a known allergy to memantine or any other components present along with it.

Warnings for special population

Pregnancy

This medicine is considered safe for consumption by pregnant women. However, it must be used only when necessary and the potential benefits outweigh the risks.

Breast-feeding

This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine. Your doctor may advise you to discontinue breastfeeding or to discontinue the drug based on your clinical condition.

General warnings

Genitourinary conditions

This medicine should be used with caution in patients with genitourinary conditions due to the increased risk of severe adverse effects.

Use in pediatrics

This medicine is not recommended for use in children and adolescents.

Missed Dose

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not double your dose to make up for the missed one. If several doses are missed, consult with the doctor and reinitiate the treatment as per the doctor's instructions.

Overdose

Seek emergency medical treatment or contact the doctor in case of an overdose.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.

Interaction with Alcohol

Description

Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.

Instructions

Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.

Interaction with Medicine

Trihexyphenidyl

Trimethoprim

Disease interactions

Hepatic impairment

Caution is advised while using this medicine in patients with severe hepatic impairment due to the increased risk of serious adverse effects. Appropriate dose adjustments may be necessary based on the clinical condition.

Renal impairment

Caution is advised while using this medicine in patients with severe renal impairment due to the increased risk of serious adverse effects. Appropriate dose adjustments should be done under your doctor's supervision

Food interactions

Information not available.

Lab interactions

Information not available.
Take Memantine with or without food. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts than advised/prescribed. Consult the doctor if you experience any undesirable side effects. Ensure that the treatment course is completed. Do not stop the use of this medicine without consulting your doctor.

Miscelleneous

Can be taken with or without food, as advised by your doctor

To be taken as instructed by doctor

May cause sleepiness

How it works

Memantine decreases the abnormal activity in the brain by blocking the actions of a natural substance, glutamate. This helps in improving the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease.

Legal Status

Approved

Approved

Approved

Approved

Classification

Category

NMDA receptor antagonist

Schedule

Schedule H

Memantine: MedlinePlus Drug Information [Internet]. Medlineplus.gov. 2017 [cited 29 August 2017]. Available from:

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

DailyMed: Memantine Hydrochloride tablet [Internet]. Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2017 [cited 29 August 2017]. Available from:

https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=be032f1e-c123-45a0-a345-a56be6fa43a6

[Internet]. 2017 [cited 29 August 2017]. Available from:

https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/PIL.29768.latest.pdf

Memantine: DrugBank [Internet]. Drugbank.ca. 2017 [cited 29 August 2017]. Available from:

https://www.drugbank.ca/drugs/DB01043

Memantine (substance) [Internet]. Snomedbrowser.com. 2017 [cited 29 August 2017]. Available from:

http://www.snomedbrowser.com/Codes/Details/406458000

Memantine [Internet]. Genome.jp. 2017 [cited 29 August 2017]. Available from:

http://www.genome.jp/dbget-bin/www_bfind_sub?mode=bfind&max_hit=1000&dbkey=all&keywords=memantine
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Information on this page was last updated on 15 Sep 2017

Disclaimer

We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.