Memantine (By mouth)
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Treats dementia associated with Alzheimer disease.
Drug classes
Central Nervous System Agent (About this – PubMed Health)
Uses
Uses of This Medicine
Memantine is used to treat moderate to severe Alzheimer’s disease. Memantine is not a cure for Alzheimer’s disease but it can help people with the disease. Memantine will not cure Alzheimer’s disease, and it will not stop the disease from getting worse.
This medicine is available only with your doctor’s prescription.
Other uses (PubMed Health)
How To Use
Long Acting Capsule, Liquid, Tablet
Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you. Most people need to wait at least one week between dose changes.
You may take this medicine with or without food.
Measure the oral liquid medicine with a marked measuring spoon, oral syringe, or medicine cup.
Swallow the extended-release capsule whole. Do not crush, break, or chew it.
If you cannot swallow the extended-release capsule, you may open it and pour the medicine into a small amount of soft food such as pudding, yogurt, or applesauce. Stir this mixture well and swallow it without chewing.
For the liquid and extended-release capsule form: Read and follow the patient instructions that come with this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
If a dose is missed:
Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine:
Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.
Drugs and Foods to Avoid
Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.
Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using amantadine (Symmetrel®), cimetidine (Tagamet®), ketamine (Ketalar®), metformin (Glucophage®), quinidine (Cardioquin®, Quinaglute®, Quinidex®), or ranitidine (Zantac®).
Tell your doctor if you are also using a diuretic or “water pill” (such as acetazolamide, hydrochlorothiazide [HCTZ], methazolamide, triamterene, Diamox®, Dyazide®, Dyrenium®, Maxzide®, or Neptazane®) or an antacid or laxative that contains sodium bicarbonate, baking soda, or bicarbonate of soda (such as Alka-Seltzer®).
Tell your doctor if you smoke or if you are using a stop-smoking aid that contains nicotine (such as Nicoderm®, Nicorette®, or Nicotrol®) or a cold or cough medicine that contains dextromethorphan (DayQuil®, NyQuil®, Robitussin® DM, or TheraFlu®).
When Not To Use
You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to memantine.
Warnings
Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, bladder problems or difficulty with urination, or epilepsy or seizures.
Check with your doctor right away if you get a urinary tract infection. This includes any infection in your bladder or kidneys. Your dose of this medicine might need to be changed while you have an infection.
Your doctor will check your progress and the effects of this medicine at regular visits. Keep all appointments.
Possible side effects
Summary More details
Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:
Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
Change in how much or how often you urinate.
Chest pain.
Lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting.
Seeing or hearing things that are not there.
Severe sleepiness, restlessness, or confusion.
Sudden or severe headache.
If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:
Constipation, diarrhea, vomiting, or stomach pain.
Feeling aggressive or depressed.
Mild headache.
Tiredness or weakness.
Weight gain.
If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
More side effects of this drug
Brand names include
Namenda, Namenda XR, Namenda XR Titration Pack
There may be other brand names for this medicine.
