Namenda (Memantine HCL) Drug Information: Description, User Reviews, Drug Side Effects, Interactions

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February 9, 2012

Namenda

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Dementia facts*

*Dementia Facts Medically Edited by: Charles P. Davis, MD, PhD

Dementia is a term that describes a collection of symptoms that include decreased intellectual functioning that interferes with normal life functions and is usually used to describe people who have two or more major life functions impaired or lost such as memory, language, perception, judgment or reasoning; they may lose emotional and behavioral control, develop personality changes and have problem solving abilities reduced or lost.
There are different classification schemes for dementias roughly based (and with overlap) on observed problems; some frequently used are cortical (memory, language, thinking, social) , subcortical (emotions, movement, memory), progressive (cognitive abilities worsen over time), primary (results from a specific disease such as Alzheimer's disease and secondary (occurs because of disease or injury).
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Namenda
(memantine hydrochloride) Tablets/Oral Solution

DRUG DESCRIPTION

Namenda® (memantine hydrochloride) is an orally active NMDA receptor antagonist. The chemical name for memantine hydrochloride is 1-amino-3,5-dimethyladamantane hydrochloride with the following structural formula:

Namenda® (memantine hydrochloride) structural formula illustration

The molecular formula is C₁₂H₂₁N•HCl and the molecular weight is 215.76. Memantine HCl occurs as a fine white to off-white powder and is soluble in water. Namenda (memantine hcl) is available as tablets or as an oral solution. Namenda (memantine hcl) is available for oral administration as capsule-shaped, film-coated tablets containing 5 mg and 10 mg of memantine hydrochloride. The tablets also contain the following inactive ingredients: microcrystalline cellulose/colloidal silicon dioxide, talc, croscarmellose sodium, and magnesium stearate. In addition the following inactive ingredients are also present as components of the film coat: hypromellose, titanium dioxide, polyethylene glycol 400, FD&C yellow #6 and FD&C blue #2 (5 mg tablets), and hypromellose, titanium dioxide, macrogol/polyethylene glycol 400 and iron oxide black (10 mg tablets). Namenda oral solution contains memantine hydrochloride in a strength equivalent to 2 mg of memantine hydrochloride in each mL. The oral solution also contains the following inactive ingredients: sorbitol solution (70%), methyl paraben, propylparaben, propylene glycol, glycerin, natural peppermint flavor #104, citric acid, sodium citrate, and purified water.

What are the possible side effects of memantine (Namenda)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using memantine and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

cough, chest tightness, fever, trouble breathing;
chest pain, fast heart rate;
confusion, hallucinations;
sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body;
lack of coordination;
fainting or seizure...

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What are the precautions when taking memantine hcl (Namenda)?

Before taking memantine, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: severe kidney disease.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: kidney problems, severe liver disease, severe urinary tract infections, recent dietary change (from a high-protein diet to a vegetarian diet).

This drug may make you dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness...

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Last reviewed on RxList: 10/11/2010
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.