Memantine

Memantine

Alzheimer's disease affects millions of people worldwide. Memantine plays a significant role in treating moderate to severe dementia in people with Alzheimer's disease. The drug doesn't cure Alzheimer's disease or stop nerve damage, but it might slow down how fast symptoms get worse.

This article will answer common questions about how medicine improves attention and memory. The guide also covers proper dosage, potential risks and daily management tips that help people starting this therapy.

What is Memantine?

Memantine belongs to the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists. The medicine blocks glutamate effects (a natural brain chemical connected to Alzheimer's symptoms). Most dementia treatments boost acetylcholine levels, but memantine prevents glutamate from overstimulating brain cells. This protection maintains normal cellular metabolism and keeps the brain working properly.

Memantine Tablet Uses

Doctors prescribe memantine to treat moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease. The medicine reduces symptoms like memory loss, cognitive decline, and problems with daily activities. Additionally it may help reduce agitation in patients with advanced Alzheimer's. The medication manages symptoms effectively but cannot cure or stop the disease from progressing. Doctors also prescribe it to treat:

• Vascular dementia
• Mixed dementia
• Dementia with Lewy bodies
• Corticobasal degeneration (CBD)

How and When to Use Memantine Tablet

You can find memantine in several forms:

• Standard tablets (5mg, 10mg, 15mg, 20mg)
• Extended-release capsules
• Oral solution (liquid)
• Orodispersible tablets that dissolve in your mouth

Your doctor's instructions for taking memantine should be followed carefully, usually once daily at the same time. 

Treatment starts with a low dose (5mg) that increases weekly until reaching 20mg daily. This step-by-step approach helps reduce side effects. 
You can take the medication with or without food.

Side Effects of Memantine Tablet

Common side effects:

• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Constipation
• Feeling sleepy or drowsy

Serious side effects:

• Hallucinations
• Seizures
• Signs of liver problems (yellow eyes or skin)
• Swelling in the legs and breathing difficulties

Precautions

• Let your doctor know if you have:
  • Kidney or liver disease
  • Seizure disorders
  • Urinary tract infections or difficulty passing urine
  • History of allergic reactions to medications
• Pregnant or breastfeeding women should be cautious since memantine's effects aren't fully understood. 
• Your body's ability to remove memantine might change with conditions that increase urine pH, which could raise blood levels of the medication. 
• The medicine affects alertness, so you should wait to drive until you understand how it affects you.

How Memantine Tablet Works

Memantine blocks glutamate's effects in your brain—a chemical messenger between nerve cells. People with Alzheimer's have damaged nerve cells that produce excess glutamate, which leads to more damage. Memantine protects these cells by acting as a shield against the harmful effects of extra glutamate.

Memantine is part of a medicine group called N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonists. It works differently from other Alzheimer's treatments that increase acetylcholine levels, which makes it valuable for treating moderate to severe stages of the disease.

Can I take memantine with other medicines?

You should tell your doctor about every medicine you take, including supplements and over-the-counter products. 

Memantine can interact with several medications:

• Other NMDA antagonists like amantadine, ketamine, and dextromethorphan
• Medications that make your urine alkaline (sodium bicarbonate, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors)
• You need to be extra careful with mental health medicines such as chlorpromazine, haloperidol or olanzapine. 
• Your doctor needs to know if you take warfarin or plan to have surgery that requires general anaesthesia.

Dosage information

Your doctor will start you on a low dose and slowly increase it to minimise side effects:

• Immediate-release tablets:
  • Week 1: 5 mg once daily
  • Week 2: 10 mg daily (5 mg twice daily)
  • Week 3: 15 mg daily (5 mg and 10 mg as separate doses)
  • Week 4/Maintenance: 20 mg daily (10 mg twice daily)
• Extended-release capsules:
  • Start with 7 mg once daily
  • Increase by 7 mg weekly
  • Maintenance dose: 28 mg once daily

Skip missed doses and take the next scheduled one - never take a double dose.

Conclusion

Memantine brings hope to many families dealing with Alzheimer's disease. This medication helps manage symptoms like memory loss and cognitive decline in moderate to severe stages of the illness, though it cannot cure the condition.

Memantine protects brain cells from excessive glutamate instead of boosting acetylcholine levels like other dementia medicines. The medication helps many patients improve their daily functioning and life quality when taken as prescribed. Understanding how memantine works helps you take an active role in treatment decisions and set realistic expectations, whether it's for yourself or a loved one.

FAQs

1. Is Memantine high risk?

Memantine ranks among the better-tolerated medications. Side effects are rare and include headaches, dizziness, constipation, and drowsiness. Serious reactions like allergic responses or hallucinations rarely occur. 

2. How long does memantine take to work?

The medication needs up to 3 months to show its full effect. Results vary between individuals. Your doctor schedules regular check-ups to track your symptom improvement.

3. What happens if I miss a dose?

Take your next scheduled dose as usual. Never double your dose to catch up on missed medication. Missing several days requires a call to your doctor since you might need to restart with a lower dose.

4. What happens if I overdose?

Overdose can cause:

• Agitation
• Confusion
• Visual hallucinations
• Dizziness
• Increased blood pressure
• Slow heartbeat
• Vomiting
• Unconsciousness

Call your doctor right away if you experience any symptoms.

5. What not to take with memantine?

Do not combine memantine with:

• Other NMDA antagonists (amantadine, ketamine, dextromethorphan)
• Medicines that make urine alkaline
• Some mental health medications (chlorpromazine, haloperidol, olanzapine)
• Warfarin (requires monitoring)

6. Who cannot take memantine?

People with previous allergic reactions to memantine cannot take it. Your doctor needs to know about any history of epilepsy, heart attacks, heart failure, high blood pressure, or kidney/liver problems before prescribing.

7. When should I take memantine?

A daily dose of memantine works best when taken at the same time each day. You can take it with or without food. A consistent routine helps maintain steady medicine levels in your body.

8. How many days to take memantine?

Memantine treatment typically continues long term. Keep taking your medicine unless your doctor suggests otherwise. Sudden stops might worsen your symptoms.

9. When to stop memantine?

Your doctor should always guide you on stopping memantine. Stopping the medicine on your own could make your symptoms come back or get worse. Your doctor will check if the medicine helps you during regular visits.

10. Is it safe to take memantine daily?

Memantine works best with daily use. Studies show that patients handle it better than a placebo.

11. What is the best time to take memantine?

You should take memantine at the same time each day to keep steady medicine levels in your body. The medicine works just as well in the morning or evening—choose what suits your schedule.

12. What to avoid when taking memantine?

Alcohol can make dementia symptoms worse and leave you confused or forgetful. Don't use medicines like

• Amantadine, ketamine, dextromethorphan
• Some mental health medications
• Medications that make urine alkaline

13. Is memantine safe for the kidneys?

Kidney patients need extra care with memantine. Doctors cut the maximum dose in half for severe kidney problems. Regular checkups help spot any changes in kidney function.

14. What is the best combination with memantine?

Taking memantine with cholinesterase inhibitors might boost brain function. The medicine may also help reduce stomach problems from these other medications.

15. What are the common side effects of memantine?

Common side effects include:

• Headache
• Constipation
• Dizziness
• Drowsiness

Call your doctor right away if you notice hallucinations, seizures, yellow skin/eyes, or bad stomach pain.