Memantine

Information about Memantine

Memantine is an oral N-methyl-D-aspartate glutamate receptor antagonist used in the therapy of Alzheimer disease and dementia.

Liver safety of Memantine

Memantine is associated with a minimal rate of serum enzyme elevations during therapy and has only rarely been implicated as a cause of clinically apparent acute liver injury.

Mechanism of action of Memantine

Memantine (mem' an teen) is an antagonist of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) glutamate receptors and has been shown to reduce the rate of clinical deterioration in moderate-to-severe Alzheimer disease. The mechanism by which inhibition of NMDA receptors is beneficial in dementia is not known, but Alzheimer disease is characterized by persistent activation of these receptors and their antagonism may reduce excitotoxicity.

FDA approval information for Memantine

Memantine was approved for use in the United States in 2003 as therapy for moderate-to-severe dementia due to Alzheimer disease. Memantine is available in tablets of 5 and 10 mg under the brand name Namenda.

Dosage and administration for Memantine

It is also available as an oral solution (2 mg/mL). The usual maintenance dose is 10 to 20 mg daily.

Side effects of Memantine

Side effects are not common but can include headache, dizziness, agitation, anxiety, fatigue, insomnia, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and rash.

The agents used to treat Alzheimer disease include:

• Donepezil
• Galantamine
• Memantine
• Riluzole
• Rivastigmine
• Tacrine

• Dailymed label info on Memantine
• FDA Memantine

Memantine Resources
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