Namenda

Generic name: Memantine
Drug class: Miscellaneous central nervous system agents

Usage of Namenda

Namenda reduces the actions of chemicals in the brain that may contribute to the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease.

Namenda is used to treat moderate to severe dementia of the Alzheimer's type.

Namenda may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Namenda side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic Reaction to Namenda: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

severe headache, blurred vision, pounding in your neck or ears;

seizure (convulsions); or

unusual changes in mood or behavior.

Common Namenda side effects may include:

diarrhea;

dizziness; or

headache.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking Namenda

You should not use Namenda if you are allergic to Memantine.

To make sure Namenda is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

epilepsy or other seizure disorder;

liver disease;

kidney disease;

urination problems; or

a bladder or kidney infection.

Namenda is not expected to harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

It is not known whether memantine passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

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How to use Namenda

Usual Adult Dose for Alzheimer's Disease:

IMMEDIATE-RELEASE: Initial dose: 5 mg orally once a day, then titrated upwards by 5 mg per week Maintenance dose: 5 mg once a day up to 10 mg twice a day Maximum dose: 20 mg per day EXTENDED-RELEASE: Initial dose: 7 mg orally once a day, then titrated upwards by 7 mg per week Maintenance dose: 7 mg once a day up to 28 mg once a day Maximum dose: 28 mg orally once a day Approved indication: For use in the treatment of moderate to severe dementia of the Alzheimer's type.

Warnings

Before using Namenda, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have a seizure disorder, cataracts, liver or kidney disease, or a bladder or kidney infection.

Namenda can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.

What other drugs will affect Namenda

Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using, especially:

amantadine;

zonisamide;

cough medicine that contains Dextromethorphan (Delsym, Robitussin Maximum Strength, Vicks 44, and others);

medicines to make the urine alkaline - urine sodium bicarbonate, potassium citrate (K-Lyte, Urocit-K), sodium citrate and citric acid (Bicitra, Oracit), or sodium citrate and potassium (Citrolith, Polycitra); or

medicine to treat glaucoma or increased pressure inside the eyes - acetazolamide, methazolamide.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with memantine, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.

Disclaimer

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