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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.

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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.

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.

Side effects	What should I do?
Nausea (feeling sick)	Try taking memantine with food or a snack and make sure you are drinking enough water. Tell your doctor if nausea bother you; they may recommend a lower dose.
Constipation	Make sure you drink plenty of water, and have lots of fibre in your diet such as fresh fruit and vegetables. Tell your doctor if it bothers you.
Loss of appetite Feeling anxious Headache	These are quite common when you first start taking memantine and usually go away with time. Your doctor may check your weight at your regular visits. Tell your doctor if they bother you.
Tiredness Dizziness, Feeling faint	Try getting up or moving slowly. If you begin to feel faint, sit or lie down until the feeling passes. Avoid driving until you know how this medicine affects you. Don't drink alcohol. Tell your doctor if this continues.
Signs of an allergic reaction such as itchy skin, rash, swelling of the face, lips, mouth or throat, difficulty breathing.	Tell your doctor immediately or ring Healthline 0800 611 116.
Did you know that you can report a medicine side effect to CARM (Centre for Adverse Reactions Monitoring)? Report a side effect to a product.(external link)