Memantine is used to treat mild-to-moderate dementia due to Alzheimer's disease. It helps to ease symptoms such as memory loss, but doesn't cure dementia. Memantine works by reducing the amount of a chemical in the brain, called glutamate. It's thought that this may help to slow down the damage to brain cells affected by Alzheimer's disease. Read more about medicines for dementia.
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Memantine
Sounds like 'MEM-an-teen'
Key points about memantine
- Memantine is used to treat dementia associated with moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease.
- Memantine is also called Ebixa®.
- Find out how to take it safely and possible side effects.
In Aotearoa New Zealand memantine is available as tablets (10 mg) and is currently not funded.
- Your doctor will start you on a low dose and increase your dose slowly over a few weeks. This allows your body to get used to the medicine and reduces side effects.
- The usual starting dose of memantine is 5mg once a day.
- Your doctor will increase your dose by 5mg every week, to a maximum of 20mg once a day.
- Always take your memantine exactly as your doctor has told you. The pharmacy label on your medicine will tell you how much to take, how often to take it, and any special instructions.
- You will need to see your doctor regularly to check your response to treatment, if the dose is right, and if this medicine is right for you.
- Timing: Take memantine once a day, with or without food. You can take memantine at whatever time of day suits you best, but try to take your doses at the same time each day. Swallow your tablets whole with a glass of water – don't chew them.
- Missed dose: If you forget to take your dose, take it as soon as you remember. But if it is nearly time for your next dose, just take the next dose at the right time. Don't take double the dose.
- Keep taking memantine every day. Memantine doesn't work straight away. It may take a while before you notice the full benefits of the medicine.
Here are some things to know when you're taking memantine. Other things may be important as well, so ask your healthcare provider what you should know about.
Taking other medicines and supplements
Memantine can interact with some medicines, herbal supplements and rongoā Māori, so check with your doctor or pharmacist before starting memantine and before starting any new products.
Memantine may affect your ability to drive
Memantine can impair your ability to do tasks such as driving or using machines. Alcohol makes this worse. Discuss your risk with your healthcare provider.
Tell your healthcare providers
Make sure you tell anyone providing you with health, dental or medical care that you are taking memantine. Let your doctor know if you have epilepsy or seizures.
Like all medicines, memantine can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them. Often side effects improve as your body gets used to the new medicine.
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Read more about medicines and side effects and reporting a reaction you think might be a side effect. |
The following link has more information on memantine.
Ebixa(external link) Medsafe Consumer Information Sheet
Resources
5 questions to ask about your medications(external link) Health Quality and Safety Commission, NZ, 2019 English(external link), te reo Māori(external link)
References
- The pharmacological management of Alzheimer’s disease – the place of donepezil(external link) BPAC, NZ, 2010
- Antipsychotics in dementia – best practice guide(external link) BPAC, NZ
- Managing patients with dementia – what is the role of antipsychotics?(external link) BPAC, NZ, 2013
- Memantine hydrochloride(external link) New Zealand Formulary
Credits: Sandra Ponen, Pharmacist, Healthify He Puna Waiora. Healthify is brought to you by Health Navigator Charitable Trust.
Reviewed by: Angela Lambie, Pharmacist, Auckland
Last reviewed:
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