From the Guidelines
Namenda (memantine) is an NMDA receptor antagonist primarily used to treat moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease. It works by blocking the action of glutamate, a neurotransmitter that in excessive amounts can lead to brain cell death. Unlike cholinesterase inhibitors (another class of Alzheimer's medications), memantine regulates glutamate activity rather than affecting acetylcholine levels. The typical starting dose is 5 mg once daily, gradually increasing to a target dose of 10 mg twice daily over several weeks to minimize side effects. This medication doesn't cure Alzheimer's disease but may temporarily slow symptom progression and improve cognitive function in some patients. Common side effects include dizziness, headache, confusion, and constipation. Memantine can be used alone or in combination with cholinesterase inhibitors for potentially enhanced benefits in managing Alzheimer's symptoms, as supported by studies such as 1.
Some key points to consider when prescribing memantine include:
- It is recommended for severe dementia, while cholinesterase inhibitors are generally recommended for mild to moderate dementia 1.
- The combination of memantine and donepezil is recommended for severe AD in several countries 1.
- Memantine has been shown to improve cognition and global assessment, although the magnitude of the effect size may not be clinically significant in all cases 1.
- Common adverse events include gastrointestinal symptoms, dizziness, and headache, but memantine is generally well-tolerated as monotherapy and in conjunction with donepezil 1.
Overall, the use of memantine in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease should be based on individual patient needs and circumstances, taking into account the potential benefits and risks, as well as the latest clinical guidelines and evidence, such as those provided in 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
Memantine hydrochloride is an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist Memantine hydrochloride oral solution belongs to a class of medicines called NMDA (N methyl-D-aspartate) inhibitors
Namenda (memantine) is an NMDA receptor antagonist. It belongs to a class of medicines called NMDA inhibitors 2, 2, 2.
From the Research
Drug Classification
- Namenda, also known as memantine, is classified as an uncompetitive N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist 3, 4, 5.
Mechanism of Action
- Memantine works by blocking the NMDA glutamate receptors to normalize the glutamatergic system and ameliorate cognitive and memory deficits 4.
- It is characterized as a voltage-sensitive open-channel NMDA receptor blocker that antagonizes NMDA receptor-mediated inward currents in vitro 3.
Therapeutic Use
- Memantine is used for the treatment of moderately severe to severe Alzheimer's disease 3, 6.
- It has also demonstrated significant improvement of cognitive performance in patients suffering from vascular dementia 3.
- Memantine may have potential in alleviating additional neurological conditions, such as Parkinson's disease 4.