Pronunciation:

me-MAN-teen

Brand Names:

• Namenda

Dosage Forms:

• Tablet
• Solution

Classifications:

Therapeutic—

Central Nervous System Agent

Pharmacologic—

N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptor Antagonist

Uses of This Medicine:

Memantine is used to treat moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease. Memantine is not a cure for Alzheimer's disease but it can help people with the disease. Memantine will not cure Alzheimer's disease, and it will not stop the disease from getting worse.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Before Using This Medicine:

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies—

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Children—

Studies on this medicine have only been done in adult patients, and there is no specific information comparing the use of memantine in children with use in other age groups. This medicine is generally not used in children.

Older adults—

This medicine has been studied in older adults and has not been shown to cause different side effects or problems in older people than it does in younger adults.

Pregnancy—

	Pregnancy Category	Explanation
All Trimesters	B	Animal studies have revealed no evidence of harm to the fetus, however, there are no adequate studies in pregnant women OR animal studies have shown an adverse effect, but adequate studies in pregnant women have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus.

Breast-feeding—

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Other medicines—

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Other interactions—

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other medical problems—

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Kidney disease—Memantine may make this condition worse. Patients with severe kidney disease may need to take a smaller amount of memantine.

• Difficult urination
• Urinary tract problems
• Urinary tract blockage—memantine may make these conditions worse

• Epilepsy or history of seizures—memantine may make this medical condition worse

Proper Use of This Medicine:

For patients taking the oral solution form of this medicine:

• Remove oral dosing syringe along with the cap and plastic tube from the bag and attach to tube to the cap.
• Open the child-resistant cap on the bottle by pushing down on the cap while turning the cap counter-clockwise (to the left) and remove the cap and seal from the bottle.
• Insert the plastic tube fully into the bottle and screw the cap tightly onto the bottle by turning the cap clockwise (to the right).
• Keeping the bottle upright on the table, remove the lid to uncover the opening on the top of the cap. With the plunger fully depressed, insert the tip of the syringe firmly into the opening of the cap.
• While holding the syringe, gently pull the plunger of the syringe up to draw medicine into the syringe.
• Remove the syringe from the cap opening. Invert the syringe (point tip upwards) and slowly press the plunger to a level that pushed out any large air bubbles that may be present. Keep the plunger in this position.
• Re-insert the tip of the syringe into the cap opening. While holding the syringe, continue to gently pull out the plunger until the bottom of the black ring of the plunger reaches the appropriate mark on the syringe that corresponds to the dose prescribed.
• Remove the syringe from the bottle and swallow the oral solution directly from the syringe. Do not mix with any other liquid.
• After use, reseal the bottle by snapping the attached lid closed.
• Rinse the empty syringe by inserting the open end of the syringe into a glass of water, pulling the plunger out to draw in water, and pushing the plunger in to remove the water. Repeat several times. Allow the syringe to air dry.

Dosing—

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• For oral dosage form (oral solution and tablets)
  • For treatment of Alzheimer's disease
    • Adults—To start, take 5 mg (milligrams) once a day. Your doctor may increase your dose gradually up to 10 mg (milligrams) twice a day.
    • Children—This medicine is not used in children.

Missed dose—

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage—

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Precautions While Using This Medicine:

It is very important that your healthcare professional check your progress at regular visits to make sure that this medicine is working properly and to check for unwanted effects.

Side Effects of This Medicine:

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Less common

Bloating or swelling of face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet

blurred vision

dizziness

headache

nervousness

pounding in the ears

rapid weight gain

slow or fast heartbeat

tingling of hands or feet

unusual weight gain or loss

Incidence not known

Abdominal pain

agitation

black, tarry stools

bleeding gums

blistering, peeling, loosening of skin

bloating

blood in urine or stools

chest pain

coma

constipation

continuing vomiting

convulsions

dark-colored urine

decreased urine output

depression

fainting

fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse

general feeling of tiredness or weakness

high fever

high or low blood pressure

hostility

increased sweating

indigestion

infection from breathing foreign substances into the lungs

itching

lethargy

light-colored stools

lip smacking or puckering

loss of consciousness

muscle twitching

no blood pressure

no breathing

no pulse

numbness or tingling in face, arms, legs

pain or swelling in arms or legs without any injury

pain, tension, and weakness upon walking that subsides during periods of rest

pain in stomach, side, or abdomen, possibly radiating to the back

palpitations

pinpoint red spots on skin

pounding, slow heartbeat

puffing of cheeks

rapid or worm-like movements of tongue

rapid weight gain

recurrent fainting

red irritated eyes

red skin lesions, often with a purple center

seizures

severe constipation

severe headache

severe muscle stiffness

severe vomiting

sores, ulcers, or white spots in mouth or on lips

stomach pain

stupor

sudden severe weakness

swelling of face, ankles, or hands

total body jerking

trouble speaking or walking

troubled breathing

twitching, twisting, uncontrolled repetitive movements of tongue, lips, face, arms, or legs

uncontrolled chewing movements

uncontrolled movements of arms and legs

unusual bleeding or bruising

unusually pale skin

vomiting

yellow eyes and skin

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

Confusion

Less common

Anxiety

back pain

bladder pain

bloody or cloudy urine

change in walking and balance

chills

clumsiness or unsteadiness

cough producing mucus

coughing

difficult, burning, or painful urination

difficulty breathing

difficulty moving

difficulty having a bowel movement (stool)

diarrhea

discouragement

dry mouth

fear

feeling sad or empty

fever

frequent urge to urinate

general feeling of discomfort or illness

hyperventilation

insomnia

irregular heartbeats

irritability

joint pain

loss of appetite

loss of bladder control

loss of interest or pleasure

lower back or side pain

muscle pain or stiffness

nausea

nervousness

pain

pain in joints

restlessness

seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there

shortness of breath

sleepiness or unusual drowsiness

sore throat

tightness in chest

tiredness

trouble concentrating

trouble sleeping

unusual tiredness or weakness

vomiting

wheezing

Incidence not known

Burning feeling in chest or stomach

burning, numbness, pain, or tingling in all fingers except smallest finger

cold sweats

cool pale skin

decreased interest in sexual intercourse

difficulty swallowing

general feeling of discomfort or illness

heartburn

inability to have or keep an erection

increased hunger

large amounts of fat in the blood

loss in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance

nightmares

shakiness

slurred speech

stomach cramps

stomach upset

tenderness in stomach area

watery or bloody diarrhea

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.