Memantine

Memantine is a prescription drug. It comes in three forms: instant release tablet, oral solution, and extended release capsules.

Memantine Oral Tablet brand name drug is available as Namenda. It is also available as a general medicine. Generic drugs usually have lower cost than the brand name version. In some cases, they can not be available in every form or form in the form of a brand name drug.

Memantine can be used as part of the combination therapy. This means that you have to take it with other medicines to deal with the dementia associated with Alzheimer’s disease.

Why it is Used

Memantine oral pellet is used to treat middle-to-severe dementia in adults with Alzheimer’s disease. It helps to reduce the symptoms of dementia, but it does not alleviate or slow down the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.

How it Works

Memantine belongs to a class of drugs called NMDA receptor antagonists. A class of drugs is a group of medications that work in a similar way. These drugs are often used to treat similar conditions.

The reason for Alzheimer’s disease is not fully understood. People with illness can be exaggerated for chemical glutamate. It is believed that brain cells are harmed in people with Alzheimer’s disease.

Mamantine works by blocking the receptors in the brain, which normally binds to glutamate. It reduces the harmful effects of glutamate in the brain and can help improve your symptoms of dementia.

Memantine Side Effects

Memantine oral tablets can cause light or serious side effects. The following list contains some major side effects that may occur during taking Memantine. Not all possible side effects are included in this list.

For more information on how to deal with possible side effects of Memantine or how to deal with troubled side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

More Common Side Effects

The more common side effects that may occur with Memantine include:

•  Sleepiness
•  Dizziness
•  Headache
•  Confusion
•  Constipation

If these effects are lightweight, then they can go within a few days or a few weeks. If they are more serious or do not go away, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Severe Side Effects

If you have serious side effects, contact your doctor immediately. Call 911 if your symptoms put life at risk or you think you have a medical emergency. Severe side effects and their symptoms may include:

Allergic reaction. Symptoms may include:
•  Swelling of your tongue, lips or face
•  Shortness of breath
•  Skin rash
•  Hives

Hepatitis (swelling of the liver). Symptoms may include:
•  Yellow of your skin or white of your eyes

Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas). Symptoms may include:
•  Serious nausea
•  Severe stomach ache

Change in mental health. Symptoms may include:
•  Hallucinations
•  Suicide thoughts

Congestive heart failure. Symptoms may include:
•  Shortness of breath
•  Swelling in your feet and ankles

Memantine can interact with other drugs

Memantine oral tablets can interact with many other medicines. Different interactions can create different effects. For example, some interventions can do the job of how well the medicine works, while others may cause side-effects.

Below is a list of medications that can interact with memantine. Not all drugs are included in this list, which can communicate with Memantine.

Before taking Memantine, make sure to tell your doctor and pharmacist about all the prescriptions, over-the-counter and other medicines. Tell them about any vitamins, herbs, and supplements. Sharing this information can help you avoid potential conversations.

If you have any questions about the interactions of medicines that can affect you, then ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Medicines used to treat glaucoma

Taking these medicines along with the Memantine can increase the amount of Memantine in your body. There may be more side effects than this. Examples of these medicines include:
•  Acetazolamide
•  Methazolamide

Sodium Bicarbonate

Take a Memantine with sodium bicarbonate, which can be used to treat heartbeat, can increase the amount of Memantine in your body. There may be more side effects than this.

Parkinson’s Disease

Amantadine works the same way for Memantine. By taking them together, the side effects can increase.

Anesthesia

Ketamine works the same way for Memantine. By taking them together, the side effects can increase.

Cough Medicine

Dextromethorphan works similarly to Memantine. By taking them together, the side effects can increase.

How to take Memantine

Depending on the many factors your doctor prescribes will be based on the Memantine dosage. Contains:

•  The type and severity of the condition that you are using for the treatment of Memantine
•  Your age
•  The kind of Memantine you take
•  You may have other medical conditions

Generally, your doctor will start you at low doses and adjusts over time to reach the right diet for you. They will eventually determine the smallest dose giving the desired effect.

The following information describes those doses that are commonly used or recommended. However, make sure that your doctor has given you a prescribed dose. Your doctor will determine the best dose according to your needs.

Drug Forms and Strengths

Generic: Memantine

Form: Oral Immediate Release Tablet
Strength: 5 mg, 10 mg

Brand: Namenda

Form: Oral Immediate Release Tablet
Strength: 5 mg, 10 mg

Dose for Alzheimer’s Disease

Adult Dosage (18 years and over)

•  Specific initial dose: 5 ml is taken once per day.
•  Dosage increases: Your doctor may increase your dose by 5 mg per day or more.
•  Maximum Dose: 20 mg per day.

Child Dose (0-17 years of age)

This drug has not been established as safe or effective for use in children. It should not be used in children under 18 years of age.

Special Dose Consideration

For people with kidney problems: If you have severe kidney problems, then your doctor can give you low-end mastitis supplements.

Memantine Warnings

This medicine comes with many warnings.

Warning of kidney and liver problems

If you have severe kidney or liver problems or develop, then your dose of this drug may need to be changed.

Allergic Warning

This drug can cause serious allergic reactions. Symptoms may include:
•  Itching
•  Hives
•  Red spots
•  Peeling or spraying skin
•  Swelling of your tongue, lips or face
•  Difficulty breathing

If you develop these symptoms, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

If you have ever received an allergic reaction, do not take this medicine again. It can be fatal to take it again (cause of death).

Warning for people with some health conditions

•  For those with kidney problems: If your kidneys are not functioning properly, then this medication may be longer for your body. This puts you at greater risk of side effects. If you have severe kidney problems, your doctor may reduce the dose of this medicine.

•  For people with liver problems: If you have a history of serious liver problems then ask your doctor. If your liver is not functioning well, then this medication can be longer in your body. This gives you greater risk for side effects.

Warning for other groups

•  For pregnant women: Not enough studies have been done in humans to show whether Memantin creates a risk for the human embryo. There were some negative influences in animal studies, but animal studies do not always tell how human beings respond.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to get pregnant. This drug should be used only during pregnancy if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk.

•  For lactating women: It is not known that this medicine passes through breast milk. If this happens, then it can have a serious effect on lactating children. Talk to your doctor if you are currently taking this medicine and you are thinking about breastfeeding.

•  For Senior Citizens: Older adults can process this medicine more slowly. A typical adult dose can cause the level of medication to be higher than normal in your body. You may need a low dose or a separate dose schedule.

•  For children: This drug has not been established as safe or effective for use in children. It should not be used in children under 18 years of age.

Take it as a directive

The Memantine Oral tablet is used for long-term treatment. If you do not set it, then it comes with serious risks.

If you stop taking medication or do not take it at all: symptoms of your dementia can not be relieved, and they may get worse.

If you miss the dose or do not take time on medication: Your medication can not work or stop working altogether. To work well for this drug, you should have a certain amount of time in your body.

If you take too much: If you take this medicine more and more, you may be at high risk of having side effects. These may include:
•  Agitation
•  Confusion
•  Hallucinations
•  Slow heart rate
•  Blood pressure increased
•  Dizziness
•  Instability
•  Unconsciousness
•  Fatigue
•  Weakness

If you feel that you have taken a lot of this medicine, then contact your doctor or get guidance from the American Doctor of Poison Control Centers at 800-222-1222 or via your online tool. But if your symptoms are serious, call 911 or go to the immediate emergency room immediately.

If you miss the dose what to do: If you miss the dosage of this drug, then leave that supplement and take your next dose as prescribed. Do not try to catch two doses at one go. This can cause dangerous side effects.

How to tell if medication is working: Your mental work should be better. Your ability to do simple, job assignments should improve.

Important considerations for taking Memantine

Keep these thoughts in mind if your doctor determines what kind of thing is for you.

General

You can crush or cut the tablet.

Storage

•  Place this medication in between temperature of 59 degrees Fahrenheit and 77 degrees Fahrenheit (15 degrees Celsius and 25 degrees Celsius).
•  Keep this medicine away from light and high temperatures.
•  Do not bath this medicine in moisture or moist areas like bathroom.

Refills

A prescription for this medication is refillable. You must not need a new leaflet to replenish this medication. Your doctor will write the number of authorized refills on your prescription.

Travel

While traveling with your medicine:

•  Always take your medication. While flying, do not put it in any check bag. Put it in your carry-on bag.
•  Do not worry about Airport X-ray machines. They can not harm your medicine.
•  You may need to show the pharmacy label for your medicine to the airport staff. Always carry the original prescription-labeled container with you.
•  Do not put this medicine in your car’s glove box or leave it in the car. Avoid doing this if the weather is too hot or too cold.

Clinical Monitoring

During your treatment with this drug, your doctor will monitor your cognitive functioning (how well your memory and thinking process works). They will also check your kidneys and liver function.

Availability

There is no pharmacy stock in this medicine. When filling your pamphlet, be sure to move forward to ensure that your pharmacy takes it.

Prior Authorization

Many insurance companies require prior authorization for this medication. This means that your doctor will need approval from your insurance company before paying for your insurance company prescription.

Are there any Alternatives?

Other medicines are available to treat your condition. Some may be better for you than others. Talk to your doctor about other drug options that can work for you.