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Memantine

    Brands

    DEA Class;  Rx

    Common Brand Names; Namenda XR, Namenda

    • NMDA Antagonists

    Oral N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist
    For use in moderate to severe Alzheimer’s disease both as monotherapy and with donepezil; may provide small cognitive benefit in mixed dementia and dementia with Lewy bodies
    Medical conditions, drugs, or foods that raise urine pH may decrease urinary elimination and increase memantine exposure, potentially increasing the risk of adverse effects

    Indicated for the treatment of moderate to severe Alzheimer’s disease.

    For the symptomatic treatment of acquired pendular nystagmus.

    Hypersensitivity to memantine or components of the formulation

    • Dizziness (7%)
    • Confusion (6%)
    • Headache (6%)
    • Constipation (5%)
    • Cough (4%)
    • Hypertension (4%)
    • Backache (3%)
    • Pain (3%)
    • Somnolence (3%)
    • Syncope (3%)
    • Vomiting (3%)
    • Dyspnea (2%)
    • Fatigue (2%)
    • Acute renal failure
    • Cerebral infarction
    • Cerebrovascular accident
    • Deep venous thrombosis
    • Hepatitis, liver failure
    • Intracranial hemorrhage
    • Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
    • Seizure (including grand mal)
    • Stevens-Johnson syndrome
    • Transient ischemic attack

    Not evaluated in patients with seizure disorder; seizures occurred in 0.2% of patients

    Conditions that raise urine pH may decrease urinary elimination and increase plasma levels of memantine

    Use caution in cardiovascular disease, seizure disorder, ophthalmic disease, hepatic and/or renal impairment

    There are no adequate data on developmental risk associated with use; adverse developmental effects (decreased body weight, and skeletal ossification) observed in offspring of rats during pregnancy at doses associated with minimal maternal toxicity

    There are no data on presence of drug in human milk, effects on breastfed infant, or on milk production

    Adults

    20 mg/day PO immediate-release formulations; 28 mg/day PO extended-release formulation.

    Geriatric

    20 mg/day PO immediate-release formulations; 28 mg/day PO extended-release formulation.

    Adolescents

    Safety and efficacy have not been established.

    Children

    Safety and efficacy have not been established.

    Infants

    Safety and efficacy have not been established.

    Memantine hydrochloride

    tablet

    • 5mg

    • 10mg

    capsule, extended-release

    • 7mg

    • 14mg

    • 21mg

    • 28mg

    oral solution

    • 2mg/mL