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.
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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
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe amount of time required by this medicine to show its action is not clinically established.
- Duration of effectThe 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
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
Classification
Category
NMDA receptor antagonist
Schedule
Schedule H
Memantine: MedlinePlus Drug Information [Internet]. Medlineplus.gov. 2017 [cited 29 August 2017]. Available from:
DailyMed: Memantine Hydrochloride tablet [Internet]. Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2017 [cited 29 August 2017]. Available from:
[Internet]. 2017 [cited 29 August 2017]. Available from:
Memantine: DrugBank [Internet]. Drugbank.ca. 2017 [cited 29 August 2017]. Available from:
Memantine (substance) [Internet]. Snomedbrowser.com. 2017 [cited 29 August 2017]. Available from:
Memantine [Internet]. Genome.jp. 2017 [cited 29 August 2017]. Available from:
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.