Alzheimer's dementia.
May be taken with or without food.
Oral Moderate to severe dementia in Alzheimer's disease Adult: As hydrochloride: Initially, 5 mg daily in the morning for the 1st wk; increase dose wkly in steps of 5 mg. Max: 20 mg daily. Wait for at least 1 wk between dose changes. Doses >10 mg/day should be given in 2 divided doses. Suggested titration: 5 mg daily for >1 wk; 5 mg bid for >1 wk; 15 mg daily given in 5- and 10-mg separated doses for >1 wk; then 10 mg bid. Hepatic impairment Mild or moderate (Child Pugh A/B): No dosage adjustment required Severe (Child Pugh C): Caution
Renal impairment: CrCl (ml/min) Dosage Recommendation 5-29 Max: 10 mg daily. 30-49 10 mg daily (after initial dose of 5 mg daily), if well tolerated for at least 7 days, may increase to 20 mg daily.
Hypersensitivity to memantine or components of the formulation. Severe renal impairment.
Memantine, a derivative of amantadine, is a noncompetitive N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-receptor antagonist. It affects transmission of glutamate, the primary excitatory neurotransmitter in the CNS. Glutamate may contribute to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease by overstimulating various glutamate receptors resulting in excitotoxicity and neuronal cell death.
Renal impairment; epilepsy. Pregnancy and lactation. Closely monitor patients with recent MI, uncompensated CHF, uncontrolled hypertension. Predisposition to convulsions; conditions that increase urinary pH. Lactation: Unknown whether drug is excreted into breast milk; use with caution
1-10% 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%) <1% 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
May increase effects of antimuscarinics and dopaminergics. May reduce effects of antipsychotics and barbiturates. May alter effects of dantrolene, baclofen. Reduced clearance with carbonic anhydrase inhibitors and sodium bicarbonate. Potentially Fatal: Increased risk of adverse effects with amantadine, dextromethorphan or ketamine.