Memantine Side Effects

Brand Names: Namenda

Please note - some side effects for Memantine may not be reported. Always consult your doctor or healthcare specialist for medical advice. You may also report side effects to the FDA at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/ or 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088).

Side Effects of Memantine - for the Consumer

Memantine

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Memantine:

Constipation; dizziness; headache; pain.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); change in behavior, such as aggressiveness, depression, or anxiety; chest pain or tightness; fainting; hallucinations; one-sided weakness; severe tiredness; speech changes; sudden severe headache; vision changes.

Memantine Solution

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Memantine Solution:

Constipation; dizziness; headache; pain.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); change in behavior, such as aggressiveness, depression, or anxiety; chest pain or tightness; fainting; hallucinations; one-sided weakness; severe tiredness; speech changes; sudden severe headache; vision changes.

Memantine Tablets

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Memantine Tablets:

Constipation; dizziness; headache; pain.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); change in behavior, such as aggressiveness, depression, or anxiety; chest pain or tightness; fainting; hallucinations; one-sided weakness; severe tiredness; speech changes; sudden severe headache; vision changes.

Side Effects by Body System

Cardiovascular

Cardiovascular side effects have included hypertension (4%). Cardiac failure, angina pectoris, bradycardia, myocardial infarction, thrombophlebitis, atrial fibrillation, hypotension, cardiac arrest, postural hypotension, pulmonary embolism, and pulmonary edema have been reported during clinical trials, but no direct correlation to memantine has been established. Atrioventricular block, prolonged QT interval, supraventricular tachycardia, and tachycardia have been reported subsequent to the worldwide marketing of memantine.

Nervous system

In a trial testing the use of memantine in MS patients with cognitive impairment, nine out of nineteen patients reported a worsening of their neurologic symptoms that deteriorated their quality of life. After stopping the medication, the patients reverted to their baseline disability within a few days.

Nervous system side effects have included dizziness (7%) and headache (6%). Transient ischemic attack, cerebrovascular accident, vertigo, ataxia, hypokinesia, paresthesia, convulsions, extrapyramidal disorder, hypertonia, tremor, aphasia, hypoesthesia, abnormal coordination, hemiplegia, hyperkinesia, involuntary muscle contractions, stupor, cerebral hemorrhage, neuralgia, ptosis, and neuropathy have been reported during clinical trials, but these adverse events may not be necessarily related to memantine. Carpal tunnel syndrome, cerebral infarction, grand mal convulsions, intracranial hemorrhage, and neuroleptic malignant syndrome have been reported subsequent to the worldwide marketing of memantine.

Gastrointestinal

Gastrointestinal side effects have included constipation (5%) and vomiting (3%). Gastroenteritis, diverticulitis, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, melena, and esophageal ulceration have been reported during clinical trials, but no direct correlation to memantine has been established. Colitis, dysphagia, gastritis, ileus, acute pancreatitis, gastroesophageal reflux have been reported subsequent to the worldwide marketing of memantine.

Musculoskeletal

Musculoskeletal side effects have included back pain (3%), bone fracture, tardive dyskinesia, and dyskinesia.

Psychiatric

Psychiatric side effects have included confusion (6%), somnolence (3%), and hallucination (3%). Aggressive reaction, delusion, personality disorder, emotional lability, nervousness, sleep disorder, libido increased, psychosis, amnesia, apathy, paranoid reaction, thinking abnormal, crying abnormal, appetite increased, paroniria, delirium, depersonalization, neurosis, and suicide attempt have been reported during clinical trials although not direct correlation to memantine has been established,

Respiratory

Respiratory side effects have included coughing (4%) and dyspnea (2%). Pneumonia, apnea, asthma, and hemoptysis have been reported during clinical trials although these adverse events may not be necessarily related to memantine.

Hematologic

Hematologic side effects reported during clinical trials have included anemia and leukopenia, although no direct relationship to memantine has been established. Postmarketing adverse events reporting from outside the U.S. have included thrombocytopenia. Thrombocytopenia and hyperlipidemia have been reported subsequent to the worldwide marketing of memantine.

Dermatologic

Dermatologic side effects reported during clinical trials have included rash, skin ulceration, pruritus, cellulitis, eczema, dermatitis, erythematous rash, alopecia and urticaria although these adverse events may not be necessarily related to memantine.
Stevens-Johnson syndrome has been reported subsequent to the worldwide marketing of memantine. Postmarketing adverse events reporting from outside the U.S. have included acne.

Metabolic

Metabolic side effects reported during clinical trials have included increased alkaline phosphatase, decreased weight, dehydration, hyponatremia, and aggravated diabetes mellitus although these adverse events may not be necessarily related to memantine.

Ocular

Ocular side effects reported during clinical trials have included cataract, conjunctivitis, macula lutea degeneration, decreased visual acuity, decreased hearing, tinnitus, blepharitis, blurred vision, corneal opacity, glaucoma, conjunctival hemorrhage, eye pain, retinal hemorrhage, xerophthalmia, diplopia, abnormal lacrimation, myopia, and retinal detachment although these adverse events may not be necessarily related to memantine.

Genitourinary

Genitourinary side effects reported during clinical trials have included frequent micturition, dysuria, hematuria, and urinary retention, although these adverse events may not be necessarily related to memantine treatment. Postmarketing adverse events reporting outside the U.S. have included impotence.

Other

Other side effects including claudication, chest pain, malaise, restlessness, and sudden death have been reported subsequent to the worldwide marketing of memantine.

Hepatic

Hepatic side effects have included hepatic failure, which was reported subsequent to the worldwide marketing of memantine.

Renal

Renal side effects have included acute renal failure, which has been reported subsequent to the worldwide marketing of memantine.

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