Memantine and Dizziness: What Users Say

• Mom...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 10, 2023

For Alzheimer's Disease "My 82-year-old mother has dementia and ended up on memantine 21 mg ER. She was lethargic, dizzy, and confused. We assumed it was just the progression of her disease. Her PCP suggested stopping the memantine. My mother improved for several days as the drug left her system (I read it has a half-life of 100 hours.) After that, she became confused again, lethargic, and could barely speak. Adding the 21 mg back improved her condition for a while, but she eventually ended up lethargic and confused again. Our conclusion from this was that the dosage was much too high. After a week with a single 5 mg tablet a day, she is much more aware, is speaking in complete sentences, and has been getting out of her wheelchair and walking with a walker again. My advice is to monitor the patient taking this medication closely and do not allow doctors to rush to higher dosages."

• bus...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 7, 2013

For Migraine "I began taking this medication on the recommendation of my neurologist for chronic migraines. I am currently taking Topamax and Elavil, and I am attempting to get off the Topamax because the neurologist felt it isn't helping any longer (I agree with her). I totally love the Namenda for my migraines! All I can say is if you are wanting to try something different, please do try this. I have virtually no side effects, maybe the dizziness if I had to pick one, but overall, it is working better than I could have ever hoped!"

• HTB...
• December 31, 2022

For Alzheimer's Disease "My mother, at age 82, has been taking the memantine for 2 months now. Before she started this, she was taking her own medication. Within 2 days of taking them, she started forgetting to take any medications. She began with 5 mg the first week, 10 mg the second week, 15 mg the third week, and 20 mg thereafter. My mum has been incredibly tired, feeling dizzy to the point of nearly falling over. She is extremely confused more than ever. A new year today, and she seems to not even know the time or day or where she is. She even started seeing things. New year tomorrow, I have decided I am no longer giving her these medications."

• Tes...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 24, 2020

For Migraine "I tried memantine for my migraines. It made me really dizzy, which I had already been struggling with after a concussion, and it made me feel drunk. My brain felt slow, my whole body felt heavy, and walking was really hard because of the dizziness. My period is also now 9 days late, and I know I'm not pregnant, and I have never missed a period in my life. I'm really glad this medication works so well for so many people, but the side effects were too much for me to handle."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• January 29, 2010

Memantine "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."

• Kel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 8, 2022

For Migraine "I started at 5 mg memantine and worked my way up to 15 mg for migraines. The first few days my headaches were better, and I felt a little buzzed, but not in a terrible way (I could still function). By the time I got up to 15 mg, I had such bad vertigo I could hardly walk and felt like I was drugged. Side effects went away shortly after stopping it."

• 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."

• 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."

• Dee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 11, 2024

Memantine "My husband is taking Namenda for aphasia. 5 mg. The first night of 5mg made him feel sick. Reduced to 1/2 pill for the first week, then full dose for the past two weeks. The words seem to be coming easier to find. Headache or dizziness last two days. Will watch this, not ready to stop yet. Still hopeful that it will help him find the words to speak."

• Cup...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 1, 2025

"I began taking memantine about two months ago for skin picking. I was having a very difficult time not picking my thumbs until they bled. I began to do the same thing to any bump, imperfection, or scab, bug bite, scrape, cut… you name it, and I was unable to leave it alone. I started at half of a 5 mg tablet, so 2.5 mg, and stayed at that level for two weeks; at that point, I upped my dosage to 5 mg. I want to say here that any dosage, any changes in dosage, were all with my doctor’s knowledge and approval. Over the next month or so, I did not see much change in my desire to pick, though my doctor was clear that it could take up to 6 weeks before I could expect to notice any improvement. During this time, I was quite often feeling woozy and dizzy. We were in the midst of a state-to-state move, and I asked to discontinue the medication until I felt more settled in our new home; the doctor agreed. I have now restarted the medication at 5 mg. I will look forward to reporting back with any progress or changes."

• ber...
• November 21, 2011

Memantine for Alzheimer's Disease "My wife started with two a day in conjunction with Exelon patch. Was dizzy, so went to one a day. After 8 months, her short memory is worse, so we want to go to the two a day routine."