Memantine Tablet: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Memantine Tablet (memantine hydrochloride) is an NMDA receptor antagonist used to treat moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease. It does not cure the condition but can help improve symptoms like memory loss and thinking problems and slow down how quickly the disease gets worse. It is taken once daily, with dosing adjusted gradually based on response, age, and kidney function.

What is Memantine Tablet

Memantine is a prescription medicine used to treat moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease. It does not cure the condition, but it can help improve symptoms like memory loss and thinking problems and slow down how quickly the disease gets worse.

Memantine Tablet uses

• Moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease

Benefits of Memantine Tablet

• Improves symptoms of Alzheimer's disease such as memory and thinking problems
• Delays the progression of Alzheimer's disease symptoms
• Can help with day-to-day function and cognitive performance compared with placebo in clinical studies

How Memantine Tablet works

In Alzheimer's disease, the brain has too much of a chemical called glutamate, which can damage brain cells. Memantine blocks the action of glutamate, which helps protect brain cells and improves the signals involved in memory and learning.

Memantine Tablet dosage

Memantine can be taken with or without food. Take it once a day at the same time each day for the best effect. Swallow tablets whole with a drink of water. If you have orodispersible tablets, let them dissolve on your tongue before swallowing, with or without water. Take liquid forms with some water. This medicine is not recommended for children and adolescents under 18 years old.

If you miss a dose, skip it and take your next dose at the usual time; do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you miss several doses in a row, talk to your doctor before restarting treatment.

Available forms and strengths

• Tablets
• Liquid (oral solution)
• Orodispersible tablets (dissolve on the tongue)

Side effects of Memantine Tablet

Common

• Headache
• Dizziness
• Sleepiness (drowsiness)
• Balance problems
• Shortness of breath
• High blood pressure
• Constipation
• Drug hypersensitivity (allergic-type reaction)
• Confusion
• Tiredness
• Nausea and vomiting
• Body pain
• Tingling of hands or feet
• Rapid weight gain or loss
• Irregular heartbeat

Serious

• Blood clots that can cause a heart attack or stroke
• Inflammation of the liver (hepatitis) causing tiredness, itchy skin, and yellowing of the eyes
• Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis) causing stomach pain, fever, and vomiting
• Severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) with swollen throat or tongue, itchy rash, and difficulty breathing
• Seizures
• Hallucinations
• Feeling very low mood or having suicidal thoughts
• Heart failure
• Congestive heart failure

Warnings and precautions

• People with a history of seizures, a recent heart attack, heart failure, or uncontrolled high blood pressure need careful monitoring while on this medicine.
• This medicine should be used cautiously in people with urinary or bladder conditions because of a higher risk of serious side effects.
• Taking other NMDA-blocking medicines like amantadine, ketamine, or dextromethorphan together with this medicine should be avoided.
• Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to memantine or any of its ingredients.
• Tell your doctor if you plan to change your diet significantly, such as switching to a strict vegetarian diet, or if you have conditions that raise your urine's acid-base balance, since this can affect how the medicine is removed from your body.
• This medicine is generally not recommended during pregnancy because not enough is known about its safety. It should only be used if the doctor decides the benefits outweigh the risks.
• Women taking this medicine should not breastfeed unless their doctor says it's necessary.
• People with kidney problems need close monitoring, and the dose may need to be lowered, especially with severe kidney impairment.
• This medicine should be used carefully in people with severe liver problems.
• It isn't clearly known how this medicine interacts with alcohol, so it's best to check with your doctor before drinking.
• This medicine can affect your reactions, so driving or using machinery may not be safe. If you feel dizzy or sleepy, avoid driving, cycling, or using machines until these effects go away.

Storage

• Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children
• Do not use this medicine after the expiry date stated on the carton and blister after EXP
• This medicinal product does not require any special storage conditions
• Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste; ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines you no longer use
• Store at room temperature between 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F); brief excursions to 15° to 30°C (59° to 86°F) are permitted

When to see a doctor

• Get emergency help right away if you think you might be having a severe allergic reaction, heart attack, or stroke.
• Seek medical help urgently if you take much more than your prescribed dose.
• Contact your doctor if you have any troubling side effects that don't go away, including shortness of breath.
• Get medical help if you or someone taking this medicine has thoughts of self-harm or feels very low.

Alternatives

• Donepezil
• Galantamine
• Razadyne