Memantine

Conditions Treated

Memantine is used to treat the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. Memantine is in a class of medications called NMDA receptor antagonists. It works by decreasing abnormal activity in the brain. Memantine can help people with Alzheimer's disease to think more clearly and perform daily activities more easily, but it is not a cure and does not stop the progression of the disease.

Possible Side Effects

What Side Effects Can This Cause?

Memantine may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• extreme tiredness
• dizziness
• confusion
• headache
• sleepiness
• constipation
• vomiting
• pain anywhere in your body, especially your back
• coughing

Some side effects can be serious. The following symptoms are uncommon, but if you experience any of them, call your doctor immediately:

• shortness of breath
• hallucination (seeing things or hearing voices that do not exist)

Memantine may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].

Usage Instructions

How Should This Medication Be Used

Memantine comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken once or twice a day with or without food. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. To help you remember to take memantine, take it at around the same time(s) every day. Take memantine exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. Your doctor will probably start you on a low dose of memantine and gradually increase your dose, not more than once every week. Memantine controls Alzheimer's disease but does not cure it. Continue to take memantine even if you feel well. Do not stop taking memantine without talking to your doctor.

What Dietary Instructions Should I Follow

Tell your doctor if you are a vegetarian or if you usually eat large amounts of citrus fruits, vegetables, beans, or peas. Your doctor will tell you if you need to change your diet. If you do not regularly eat these foods, continue your normal diet.

Are There Any Special Instructions

Before taking memantine, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to memantine or any other medications. tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking. Be sure to mention any of the following: acetazolamide (Diamox); amantadine (Symmetrel); brinzolamide (Azopt); cimetidine (Tagamet); dextromethorphan (Robitussin, others); dichlorphenamide (Daranide); dorzolamide (Trusopt); methazolamide (GlaucTabs, Nepatazane); nicotine (Nicoderm, Nicorette, others); potassium citrate and citric acid (Cytra-K, Polycitra-K); ranitidine (Zantac); sodium bicarbonate (Soda Mint, baking soda); sodium citrate and citric acid (Bicitra, Oracit); and quinidine (Quinaglute, Quinidex). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects. tell your doctor if you have or have ever had asthma, seizures, kidney disease, or repeated urinary tract infections. if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking memantine. you should know that memantine may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you. tell your doctor if you use tobacco products. Cigarette smoking may decrease the effectiveness of this medication.