Memantine’s Mechanism of Action: How This Medication for Alzheimer’s Disease Works
Learn how memantine, also known as Nameda, works. Our experts explain everything to know about its mechanism of action.
memantine
Used for Alzheimer's Disease, Dementia
Used for Alzheimer's Disease, Dementia
Memantine is used to treat moderate-to-severe dementia related to Alzheimer's disease. It belongs to a drug class called NMDA antagonists. Memantine comes as regular-release tablets and an oral liquid, which are taken by mouth twice a day. It also comes as extended-release capsules taken once a day. Common side effects include dizziness and headaches. The brand name Namenda is discontinued, but generic versions are still available.
What is Memantine?
What is Memantine used for?
- Moderate-to-severe dementia related to Alzheimer's disease
How Memantine works
Memantine is an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonist. It works by blocking the effects of a brain chemical called glutamate. In people with Alzheimer's disease, glutamate can be too active and harm nerve cells. Memantine helps protect these cells from damage. This might help slow the worsening of memory and thinking problems.
Drug facts
| Common Brands | Namenda |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | NMDA antagonist |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Not a controlled medication |
| Generic Status | Lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Prescription only |
More on Memantine essentials
Side effects of Memantine
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Dizziness (7%)
- Headache (6%)
- Confusion (6%)
- Constipation (5%)
Note: These rates are from studies of immediate-release tablets and oral liquid. Extended-release capsules have similar side effects, but the rates might differ.
Less Common Side Effects
- Tiredness
- Pain
- Vomiting
- Sleepiness
- Hallucinations
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
More on Memantine side effects
The following Memantine side effects have also been reported
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 the 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 the hands or feet
unusual weight gain or loss
Incidence not known
Abdominal or stomach pain
agitation
black, tarry stools
bleeding gums
blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
blood in the urine or stools
coma
continuing vomiting
convulsions
dark-colored urine
decreased urine output
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
lethargy
light-colored stools
lip smacking or puckering
loss of consciousness
muscle twitching
no blood pressure
no breathing
no pulse
numbness or tingling in the face, arms, or legs
pain in the stomach, side, or abdomen, possibly radiating to the back
pain or swelling in the arms or legs without any injury
pain, tension, and weakness upon walking that subsides during periods of rest
pinpoint red spots on the skin
pounding, slow heartbeat
puffing of the cheeks
rapid or worm-like movements of the 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 the mouth or on the lips
stupor
sudden severe weakness
swelling of the face, ankles, or hands
total body jerking
trouble with speaking or walking
troubled breathing
twitching, twisting, or uncontrolled repetitive movements of the tongue, lips, face, arms, or legs
uncontrolled chewing movements
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
back pain
bladder pain
bloody or cloudy urine
change in walking and balance
chills
clumsiness or unsteadiness
cough producing mucus
difficult, burning, or painful urination
difficulty with breathing
difficulty with moving
discouragement
fear
feeling sad or empty
frequent urge to urinate
general feeling of discomfort or illness
hyperventilation
irritability
joint pain
loss of appetite
loss of bladder control
loss of interest or pleasure
lower back or side pain
muscle pain or stiffness
nervousness
pain in the joints
restlessness
seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there
shortness of breath
sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
tightness in the chest
tiredness
trouble with concentrating
trouble with sleeping
unusual tiredness or weakness
vomiting
Incidence not known
Burning feeling in the 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 with swallowing
general feeling of discomfort or illness
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 the 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.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Pros and cons of Memantine
Pros
- Liquid available for people who have trouble swallowing pills
- Available as a once-daily extended-release capsule that can be opened and sprinkled on applesauce
- Can be taken with other Alzheimer's medications
Cons
- Doesn't cure Alzheimer's disease or stop it from getting worse
- Might take a few weeks to notice benefits
- Can cause dizziness, headaches, or confusion
Pharmacist tips for Memantine
- Take memantine with or without food. Try to take it around the same time each day.
- For memantine immediate-release forms: Take the medication as your prescriber tells you to. You'll usually start with one dose a day, then slowly increase to twice a day. When you take it twice a day, space your doses as your prescriber tells you.
- For memantine extended-release capsules: Swallow the capsule whole, or open it and sprinkle all the contents onto a small amount of applesauce. Swallow the mixture without chewing or crushing the beads.
- For the memantine oral liquid: Use an oral syringe from the pharmacy to measure and give each dose. Don't use kitchen spoons because they might give you the wrong amount. Once drawn up into the syringe, slowly squirt the medication into the corner of the mouth.
- If you miss a dose of memantine, skip it and take your next dose at the usual time. Never double up on the medication to make up for missed doses. If you've missed several doses in a row, talk to your prescriber about how to restart memantine.
- Memantine can make you feel dizzy or confused. Be careful when standing up or walking until you know how it affects you. Tell your care team if these side effects don't go away.
- Tell your prescriber and pharmacist about all the medications you take. Some medications, like sodium bicarbonate and acetazolamide, can cause memantine to build up in your body. This can raise your risk of side effects. Your care team can make sure your medications are safe to take together.
- Don't stop taking memantine without talking to your prescriber first. Your memory and thinking problems might get worse after you stop taking it.
Risks and warnings for Memantine
Memantine can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Higher risk of side effects from changes in urine acidity
- Risk factors: Conditions that make your urine less acidic | Taking medications that make your urine less acidic
Certain medications and health conditions can make your urine less acidic (higher urine pH). This can cause memantine to stay in your body longer and raise your risk of side effects. These can include dizziness, headaches, and confusion. Tell your prescriber about your health conditions and medications before taking memantine. They can check if it's safe for you.
Memantine dosage
The average cost for 60 tablets of 10mg of Memantine is $12.68 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 90.20% off the average retail price of $129.40.
Interactions between Memantine and other drugs
Memantine may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Memantine. Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.
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. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
How much does Memantine cost?
To access savings, use a GoodRx coupon and pay just a fraction of the retail price.
Memantine (generic)
$12.68
What are alternatives to Memantine?
There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Memantine. Compare a few possible alternatives below.
News about Memantine
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