Namenda Medication - Uses & Side Effects

Generic Name: Memantine

MEMANTINE (Namenda®) helps treat the symptoms associated with Alzheimer's disease or dementia. It is not a cure for Alzheimer's disease but offers improvement in memory, attention, reason, language, and the ability to perform simple tasks. Namenda blocks excess activity of a substance in the brain called glutamate. Blocking glutamate may reduce the symptoms associated with Alzheimer's disease.

Namenda Dosage

The recommended dosage is 10 milligrams twice a day. The doctor will start treatment at 5 milligrams once a day for 7 days, and then gradually increase the dose by 5 milligrams every 7 days, up to a maximum total daily dose of 20 milligrams.

Uses of Namenda

• It is used in the treatment of moderate to severe dementia associated with Alzheimer's disease.
• Namenda may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

Side Effects of Namenda

If you are taking this medication, then discuss the side effects with your doctor. If you feel any change in intensity, then you should tell your doctor. Because only your doctor can determine if it is safe to continue using Namenda. Side effects may include:

• Confusion
• constipation
• coughing
• dizziness
• hallucinations
• headache
• high blood pressure
• pain
• sleepiness
• vomiting

Warnings and precautions before taking Namenda:

• Before using this medication, you should tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially if you have kidney disease, liver disease, severe urinary tract infections.
• After taken this drug, it may make you dizzy; So use caution engaging in activities requiring alertness such as driving or using machinery.
• Make sure the doctor knows about any history of seizures. Namenda has not been formally studied in people with seizure disorders.

Drug Interaction :-

If you are taking certain drugs with Namenda, then it may decreased, increased or altered the effects of Namenda medicine. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Namenda with the following:

• Amantadine (Symmetrel)
  
• Cimetadine (Tagamet, Tagamet HB)
  
• Cough suppressants that contain dextromethorphan (usually denoted as "DM")
  
• Glaucoma drugs such as Diamox and Neptazane
  
• Hydrochlorothiazide (HydroDIURIL)
  
• Ketamine (Ketalar)
  
• Nicotine (Nicoderm patch, Nicorette gum)
  
• Quinidine (Quinidex)
  
• Ranitidine (Zantac)
  
• Sodium bicarbonate (baking soda, Alka-Seltzer)
  
• Triamterene (Dyrenium)

Overdose

When you are taking Namenda, and you feel that overdose is suspected then contact your doctor immediately. Symptoms of an Namenda overdose may include:-

• restlessness
• psychosis
• hallucinations
• drowsiness
• loss of consciousness