Namenda User Reviews & Ratings

Namenda has an average rating of 4.9 out of 10 from a total of 25 reviews on Drugs.com. 39% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 39% reported a negative experience.

Condition	Avg. Rating	Reviews	Compare
Alzheimer's Disease	4.9	25 reviews for Alzheimer's Disease	30 medications
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Reviews for Namenda

Melody
October 28, 2020

For Alzheimer's Disease "Mother-in-law has Alzheimer’s and it was severe to where she went into a memory care. Once she started Namenda within second week it was like she was back to her old self. She was able to get up her her self dressed like she had did prior to the alzheimers. It was truly unbelievable. This medicine has given us more time with our loved one. She was active psychosis delusional, hallucinating 24/7. Unbelievable. I can not say enough good things about this medication. She was tired the first week but that was good rather to rest than to be awake delusional. Thinking she is ready for a increase where she is getting her nighttime/early morning bad dreams back again. But it has been 2 years since she started this medication. Please everyone please give this medication time to work. It is a miracle medicine. Give it at least 2 weeks same time daily. I read reviews and it can be a mess just after a few days. The med is fully working yet please give it another chance and more time. amazing"

10 / 10

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116 Report

Kitte...
Taken for 1 to 2 years
July 26, 2013

For Alzheimer's Disease "My mother has been taking Namenda for Alzheimer's for over a year now. She was first prescribed Aricept which made her more anxious/hyperactive & no noticeable positive impact. After 2 weeks of Namenda, there was noticeable improvement in her cognitive abilities. In fact, the light bulb finally went off & she realized she had Alzheimer's. She spent the next several days on the phone breaking the news to family and friends, who had known for over 2 years by that time. My opinion: Namenda keeps her in 2013 - in the present. Her logic, reasoning, problem-solving skills, short term memory, comprehension and communication skills are impaired from the disease, but she recognizes this and acknowledges her feelings of confusion."

8 / 10

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204 Report

bill
January 3, 2020

For Alzheimer's Disease "It was a wonderful drug for my mother, with dementia, at 77. They first prescribed Aricept, which caused nausea. Asking the doctor 'what other drug may work'? She recommended Nameda. It became a miracle. It did not rectify some of the mental losses, but she no longer experienced hallucinations (in jail; on a boat). It came at the end of the year when insurance wouldn't pay for the drug. So I waited for two weeks without drug to resume insurance at the first of the year. During this time she regressed mentally. As soon as I started it again, she improved-true testament. I was able to have my mom back for two years until stroke. I swear by Namenda for only my mother. I tell everyone. As with any drug, it may not work for others, but it was truly a God-send for my sweet mother. She and I were lucky."

10 / 10

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92 Report

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Anonymous
April 6, 2012

For Alzheimer's Disease "We started my Dad on Namenda and by day 2 he was more confused, lost and irritable than usual so my Mom stopped it. The Dr asked her to start again and the same day he experienced the same side effects so she stopped. Last week she decided to try it one more time to make sure. Dad was VERY confused and not easy to take care of. I guess he is just one of those people that can't take this medication. Too bad. It helps so many people."

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189 Report

Joey
January 15, 2020

For Alzheimer's Disease "Horrible drug! No help at all and they wanted my dad to take more! He just passed away from surgery complications but after being off it he was NORMAL. The doctor had him on so many meds, this being one along with Zoloft. These mind altering drugs are BAD! Also avoid Haldol. If you have a loved one PLEASE get them off these, I don't buy into these did wonders for my mom or dad, probably written by the drug companies reps. Watch the World News EVERY OTHER AD is a drug ad. The less you take the better. I'm sorry we gave these to my dad."

1 / 10

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83 Report

Are you taking this medicine?

carol...
Taken for 2 to 5 years
November 25, 2015

For Alzheimer's Disease "I have taken it for about 4-5 yes. I feel able to cope pretty well considering. I live by myself and manage to do most things. I still have memory issues, but so do most people. I have been fortunate not to have had adverse effects of any consequence."

9 / 10

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121 Report

Surpr...
Taken for 1 to 6 months
April 16, 2021

For Alzheimer's Disease "My father has significantly improved since taking Namenda and Aricept combined, as well as 24 caregiver support at home. We believe that the combination has helped dad's cognitive function not just by medication alone, but because he had companionship 24 hours a day. Dad was confused, always thought he was at work and wanted to go home. He forgot who we were and even made sexual moves towards people he would not have otherwise have when he did not have Alzheimers. The symptoms or behaviors he still has is occasional memory loss but very little, he is still paranoid and thinks people are stealing from him or going in his property when they are not, and he occasionally still sees people or animals that aren't there. But the confusion of who we were, where he was and the wandering and wanting to "go home" even when he was home is no longer an issue. My dad is only 73 and he was diagnosed last year with Alzheimer's."

10 / 10

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50 Report

daugh...
January 16, 2012

For Alzheimer's Disease "My mother has been treated with the Exelon (patch) for two years now. Last month she was changed to Namenda. She has become irritable, aggressive/depressed and more confused than before. We are asking the doctor to switch back to Exelon."

2 / 10

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140 Report

CTano
Taken for 1 to 6 months
September 27, 2019

For Alzheimer's Disease "My sister has Moderate Frontal Lone Alzheimer’s. She was extremely agitated, angry and weepy. She was withdrawing into herself and had little awareness of her surroundings and had difficulty with dressing and toileting. Literally after the first day of Namenda 20mg it was like someone turned the lights on. It’s been 2 months now and she is aware and able to go for walks by herself; dress herself and play the piano. Her memory and executive function continue to be poor. Nothing short of a miracle. Not sure how long this will last."

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63 Report

Daugh...
Taken for less than 1 month
March 1, 2016

For Alzheimer's Disease "My mother has taken Namenda twice now. The first time she was so confuse after a week I stopped giving it to her. She has gotten worse over the years and for some reason her doctor had given me a new prescription for the same medicine. I tried it for two days and saw my mother become extremely confused so I stop giving it to her. I don't know why he insisted on Namenda after I told him it didn't work the first time."

1 / 10

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90 Report

Bob...
November 16, 2020

For Alzheimer's Disease "My PCP put me on Namenda to supplement my Aricept for Alzheimer's Disease . Seems to help my short term memory. However my memory lapses happen every 2 weeks or so and only for a short period. When it is working I can think clearly. I'm 62 and thankful for this medication."

8 / 10

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45 Report

Kerry...
August 10, 2013

For Alzheimer's Disease "My mom is 94 we started her on this medication because she was confused to the point of argument mostly in the late afternoon till bed time. After 5 days of treatment she seamed to be worse starting when she wakes up. Not sure what to do except to call doctor on Monday to ask what we should do."

2 / 10

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99 Report

Ms Mc...
Taken for 1 to 2 years
September 11, 2017

For Alzheimer's Disease "My mom has been on this medication for one year and her condition (Dementia) is getting worst. She's hallucinating, aggressive, and extremely confused. It's seems as if this medication is making things worst and speeding up the progress of the dementia. This drug should not be on the market. I will bring her to her Psychologist soon and I will be asking for this drug to be taken off her daily medication intake. Please say no to this drug."

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67 Report

1care...
October 16, 2014

For Alzheimer's Disease "My wife (74) has been taking Namenda since the first diagnosis of Alzheimers two years ago. She also takes any supplement that promises to help retain or improve memory. Her memory has stayed about the same or gotten a little worse in that time. She has also taken Aricept during the same period."

6 / 10

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87 Report

SH ca...
Taken for 1 to 6 months
December 19, 2015

For Alzheimer's Disease "My mother has been taking it for one month and her dementia - which was mild - has gotten worse. She is confused and thinks that my brother lives with her. She was taking samples as she cannot afford the medicine"

4 / 10

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77 Report

Anonymous
January 10, 2018

For Alzheimer's Disease "My Dad took this medication and on the 7mg and 14mg did quite well. At first I thought it was a miracle drug. Being time released was wonderful but it was so dang expensive. Almost $220.00 for a two week supply. We got the generic from the VA which is not time released and it was awful. We took him off it and the hallucinations continue but at least they are friendly people."

7 / 10

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30 Report

Anonymous
January 29, 2010

"The side effect of dizziness and the associated tendency to fall were very bothersome. The hoped for improvement in mental clarity (which is intermittent at present and results in confusion at unpredictable times and places) did not occur -- in fact, I would have to say that I felt "spacey" on this medication rather than clearer in my thought processes. My doctor prescribed "off label" so that may explain my negative experience. On the other hand, I wonder if the Alzheimer's patients are able to adequately articulate to their caregivers that they feel certain side effects such as dizziness or "spacey" feelings. If not, the side effects could easily be attributed to the Alzheimer's disease rather than the medication."

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47 Report

Rachel
Taken for 1 to 6 months
February 2, 2024

"I was prescribed Namenda as an off-label use for OCD. Prior to taking it, I had been dealing with obsessive thoughts about the safety of my children. I couldn't seem to move from one thought to another, and I would dwell for days on sad news stories about children and would feel sick to my stomach. My doctor tried me on a couple of things, but I am very sensitive to medication and ended up with side effects. She then tried me on Namenda 5mg, and I noticed a difference after taking one pill. I cannot say enough good things about this medication. I was very scared to try it at first since it was created for dementia and not OCD, but I'm so glad I did. My agitation and ruminating thoughts are so much better. I can sit at a park and watch my kids play without having a constant fear they are going to fall and hurt themselves. I have also noticed a huge benefit to my cognitive issues. My memory seems to have improved."

10 / 10

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1 Report

mothe...
Taken for 2 to 5 years
May 2, 2024

"Works great to lengthen the time needed between ketamine infusions for pain. It is a NMDA but doesn’t have the side effects like ketamine, making it great to use at home. Works best when used every day."

10 / 10

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0 Report

Anonymous
September 19, 2008

For Alzheimer's Disease "After 2 years of taking Namenda at age 93 she is no worse. It may have helped by slowing down or stopping this terrible condition."

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149 Report

Anonymous
February 18, 2012

For Alzheimer's Disease "Mom has taken since 2007. Wish it was a time release medication. Too hard to get Alzheimer's patients to take medicines even once a day. It does help but may cause dehydration."

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94 Report

BDN...
May 20, 2009

For Alzheimer's Disease "My Mother has taken Namenda since it was approved. I think it may help slow the neurological decline of a patient."

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105 Report

kalck
August 31, 2010

For Alzheimer's Disease "Patient exhibits no improvement after 12 months of supervised treatment."

1 / 10

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92 Report

Joe...
Taken for 2 to 5 years
February 9, 2016

For Alzheimer's Disease "Wife has taken for 2 years, no improvement, steady decline in symptoms."

2 / 10

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57 Report

Claire
Taken for less than 1 month
August 1, 2018

For Alzheimer's Disease "Three days in to this drug and find the condition worsening for mom dramatically"

1 / 10

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41 Report

Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or to remove inappropriate language and content. Reviews that appear to be created by parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any particular medication. While these reviews may be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, knowledge, and judgement of healthcare professionals.