Memantine User Reviews & Ratings (Page 3)

• Rac...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 2, 2024

Memantine "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."

• ARC...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 16, 2024

For Alzheimer's Disease "I only use it once a day. I was prescribed 10 mg from the off, after reading about it, I am surprised that I was prescribed 10 mg from the off. I am supposed to take it 2x daily, but it makes me very dizzy, so I only take it once a day."

• cls...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 24, 2014

Memantine "My mother is on a dose of 21 mg Namenda XR, and I think it is making her symptoms worse. She is very medication-sensitive, and I see her CHI as more depressed, forgetful, worrisome, and confused. I will be discussing, as always, with her doctor, but I feel she needs to be removed from this medicine. Plus, on a side note, it is nearly impossible to get this medicine, although that has nothing to do with her taking the medication."

• Wal...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 18, 2025

For Migraine "They need to add difficulty speaking and slurring your words. When I first took memantine, it really freaked me out, with dizziness, difficulty speaking, instability (walking), and confusion. The side effects eventually subsided. Now I’ve been on it for 11 months. The first six months were a game changer, now its effectiveness has begun to wane. I’m going to talk with my doc about medications for severe headaches/chronic pain and memory loss that are not psychotropics."

• TBI...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 21, 2023

Memantine "I actually began taking Namenda XR after being prescribed by a neurologist who had a hunch that it might help with cognitive processing and short-term memory problems related to a traumatic brain injury I sustained at age 14. I started taking this at age 16, and it has been life-changing. I went from struggling to form a complete sentence to talking much more fluidly, and I feel more sharp and present every day, and don't 'space out' as much. Without it, I definitely struggle more with my cognitive processing. I've done a lot of research but have never seen anywhere discussing alternative uses for Namenda, so I want to share my story. I hope that it can be recognized as a possible therapeutic treatment for people with traumatic brain injuries because it has greatly improved my quality of life. I am on a lot of other medications, so there could be side effects, but I don't recall there being anything major. I've been on it now for 10 years and am still doing well tolerating it."

• Bab...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 16, 2019

"My husband is the patient. He has had Parkinson's about 10 years. About 3 years ago, he started having memory problems to the point of not remembering the day of the week or what he had just eaten. The neurologist prescribed Aricept, which did not show much improvement, but soon he decided to try memantine 5 mg morning and night. The memantine has been remarkable for his memory and Parkinson's and how it has brought him back around. I am amazed at what all he remembers and just occasionally has a little problem. Sorry so many people have not been helped as he has, but I can say thank God it works great for him so far."

• Sib...
• October 17, 2017

For Autism "My daughter just started this medicine. She is taking guanfacine as well. Her stomach hurt when she was on it, but this medicine seems to work for her Asperger's. She is happy. We are giving another try to this med with a half dose to eliminate her stomach pain. Everything is better than weight gain from Asperger's meds."

• MSD...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 5, 2018

For Alzheimer's Disease "My mother and stepmother both have dementia. My mother was on the Exelon patch, and my stepmother is on donepezil and memantine. She started it at stage 4. I see no real positive effects. The side effects are really bad and require additional medication. I think that this drug may help in the earlier stages. It's very expensive and difficult to give. The extended release is better for Alzheimer's patients. Not sure I would take it. Causes mood swings."

• Jan...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 26, 2021

For Alzheimer's Disease "My husband was diagnosed at 54, and a year later, he started memantine, as well as rivastigmine patches that he was already taking. He was prescribed from 5 to 20 mg over the first month but settled at 5 mg as he felt dizziness and headaches at 10 mg. I did feel like his motivation returned a bit, and he was doing very well. He had become quite aggressive over the last few months (bullying really), it has been bad. Then he started taking the tablets on alternate days, then decided he wouldn't take any more. Since he has come off them, his aggression has gone, and I am so relieved. I do worry that perhaps his cognitive abilities will reduce, but so far, they have improved - he has also started taking a cholesterol tablet, however, so I can't tell if it's the lack of memantine or the pravastatin that is helping - he has started putting the telly on and watched a couple of things, which he hasn't done since soon after memantine was introduced. I hope this helps. Free in the UK, by the way."

• Dee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 30, 2018

For Alzheimer's Disease "My father has been diagnosed with dementia. He was gradually getting worse, not recognizing us (his adult children) and not sure which era he was in (he is 92 years of age). Then he started wandering on the road. My mum was at her wit's end looking after him. Then his doctor prescribed Marixino, and it literally has been a complete turnaround. He is back over in his garden, pottering about, he remembers all our names, knows who he is again, laughs, tells jokes, and has his little sarcastic humor back! My brother also has been giving our dad Dioralyte for dehydration and Movicol to help his bowel movements, and a combination of all these seems to have greatly improved dad's whole well-being."

• Mig...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 2, 2023

For Migraine "Memantine has been a godsend! I have had migraines since I was a child, which have become progressively worse with time. I developed a refractory migraine in 2021 and was on Topamax for 20 months. It either lost effectiveness or my migraine overpowered the positive effects of the medication. I was bedbound for 3 days due to severe pain and nausea. I started memantine and the pain subsided. Currently, most days on memantine, I don't feel migraine pain or when I do, it's bearable. I get a severe migraine about once every two weeks now and they are still whoppers. They come on suddenly and are incapacitating. I have to lie down immediately or I will throw up. Despite these, I'm still quite functional. I have tried many medications for migraines and they have all eventually stopped working. I hope that memantine continues to provide effective relief for a long time to come. I have experienced no noticeable side effects."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• September 28, 2024

Memantine for Alzheimer's Disease "My mom is taking Namenda XR 28 mg. She tried the generic version and had a negative reaction. Went back to name brand Namenda med until now. She is without her medication now because the pharmacy doesn’t sell it anymore."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 30, 2024

For Alzheimer's Disease "I am a healthcare proxy for a friend, and she was suffering from anxiety due to memory loss. We did three things for her: hearing aids, memantine, and an anti-anxiety medication about three months ago. We have seen great improvement in her memory, her anxiety, and her ability to function on her own in her home. She is 86. She continues on a 5mg per day dosage."

• Tin...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 28, 2018

Memantine for Alzheimer's Disease "My mother was on this for several years when she lived alone. She had increasing anxiety over time to the point of not being suitable to go to a restaurant. I asked her to go off it for a while. The difference in her anxiety off this medication was astounding. She went back on this medication fearing her dementia was worsening off of it. The family physician prescribed Trazodone to counteract the anxiety. Over a two-month period, her decline was extremely marked. She did not have anxiety but had a huge decline in memory and personality. She is now off of both meds and has very low anxiety. However, it looks like the decline in memory is permanent. Her psychiatrist told us long ago that these medications do nothing and have some pretty severe side effects."

• mot...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 2, 2024

Memantine "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."

• Mom...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 22, 2023

For Alzheimer's Disease "I am not sure how to update a previous review. My 82-year-old mother is now on a 14 mg ER and is doing much better. This medication made her much more functional but still left her very combative at times. Her neurologist suggested adding Galantamine ER 8 mg, and that combined with the Memantine improved her mood for most of the day. She still has memory issues, but we have avoided needing to have her go to a nursing home, and most times she is enjoyable to be around."

• nat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 20, 2023

"I started taking this medication, and the first night I had dreams that were vivid and disorienting, but not unpleasant. The next day I felt better than I have felt in years. My chronic fatigue seems to have nearly disappeared. My double vision is getting better. I have some slight anxiety (the difference between misery and normalcy is a bit jarring), but this is my miracle medication. Side effects so far have been minimal. Metabolism is up, so I cannot skip meals without consequences. Nothing negative, really."

• R 7...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 2, 2022

For Alzheimer's Disease "A case study. Taking prescribed 10 mg twice/day with food since early 2019. In mid-2020 (mid-COVID-19) I didn't take memantine for 2 months, then realized things were 'foggy' and ramped back up in 3 days. In 2 weeks, no more fogginess and have kept the dosage since with minor increased dementia. Have had symptoms similar to pre-Alzheimer's for probably 20 years or more, now mild or low-moderate dementia--hard to tell because I nearly pass the quick oral tests but forget, fumble for words, multitask poorly, and lose balance. Physically very healthy, abnormally fit (heavy HIIT 3 or 4 times/week), neuroscience background, pretty good diet, almost no alcohol, Wordle and NYT crosswords daily. Dementia, especially when tired, need food, or stressed."

• Tif...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 1, 2023

For Migraine "I take 10mg twice a day of Memantine. It helps decrease the severity of the migraine pain and duration. It also helps shorten the recovery time and symptoms. It also seems to be helping with my permanent post concussion symptoms. Lessen the 'hungover' effect I live with on a daily basis (I don't consume alcohol). It has also lessened the severity of movement migraines I get just from moving my head around. While it hasn't decreased migraine attacks, it has lessened severity and that makes an improvement in my life. Side effects would be hard for me to determine since post concussion syndrome exists. Definitely hope to be able to continue with this medication since Topamax was a complete mental nightmare for me."

• Kra...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 27, 2023

"My father is 90. He was diagnosed with a brain tumor in July. He underwent 10 rounds of whole-brain radiation. They started him on Memantine/Namenda on day one of radiation, varying the dose as he went through therapy. Dad was great, and at his 6-week appointment, he was doing so well that they were completely astonished. He did lose his appetite, so they took him off the Memantine, which he was supposed to be on for 6 months to protect cognitive function loss as the radiation continues to work. 10 days after coming off of it, he was confused, had slurred speech, and zero appetite. I asked that he be back on it, so they put him right back on it. Four days after being back on it, he is more alert, communicates better, and is actually getting his appetite back. This drug is a lifesaver for the memory, and I am thankful he can be back on it."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 14, 2024

"Memantine 10 mg twice daily. At first, I took the medication in the am and pm. I found the pm dose interrupted my sleep. Woke up at night confused about the time. Thought 8:30 pm was 8:30 am. I had trouble going back to sleep. My doctor changed my second dose to noon, and the problem was solved. I continue having trouble with concentration and short-term memory. Overall, I am happy with this medication. Side effect of constipation but resolved with a mild stool softener."

• Nam...
• August 20, 2017

Memantine for Alzheimer's Disease "My mom is 94 years old and has been prescribed Namenda XR once a day for Alzheimer's disease. It has helped her to be quite clear and focused. When our neighbor recently fell and broke her back, mom asked to find out the name of the rehab facility so she could send her flowers. Mom remembered that in January 2016, she fell and broke her tibia and fibula (leg), and this neighbor sent my mom an orchid plant, making mom feel very happy. Mom still forgets current information. Where are we going? To the doctor. 10 minutes later, where are we going? To the doctor. Also, this medication is pricey, $162.01!"

• MNU...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 30, 2024

For Alzheimer's Disease "Have taken memantine 5 mg once daily for 2 weeks; starting twice daily today. No side effects. I feel more alert and mentally engaged. I have seen an increase in desire and ability to do tasks that I have avoided previously, such as cleaning my closet and doing more challenging physical activities."

• Pau...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 9, 2025

"1. I was first prescribed donepezil, for which I had many side effects... mainly severe diarrhea. 2. Donepezil also gave me several of the numerous side effects listed on drugs.com. 3. Donepezil also was extremely slow in effectiveness for me. 4. I was switched to memantine, which was much more readily effective with no side effects. 5. Government doctors, i.e., military, etc., do not prescribe memantine because it is more costly than donepezil. ● Disclosure: 1. My daughter is a military neurologist. 2. Military must get special authorization for memantine due to the additional cost of the medication."

• Kyl...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 15, 2016

For Alzheimer's Disease "Before my seizures, my memory was almost perfect, after, I was lucky if I could remember 2 minutes ago. Namenda helped me with one of the effects of the seizures and MS I hated the most. It has helped me feel closer to the me before the seizures than any of the medications have. The only negative is the price, and I'm fighting an uphill battle trying to get any kind of insurance."