Memantine and Tiredness: What Users Say

• Mel...
• October 28, 2020

Memantine 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 the second week, it was like she was back to her old self. She was able to get up by herself, dressed like she had prior to the Alzheimer's. It was truly unbelievable. This medicine has given us more time with our loved one. She was active, psychotic, delusional, and hallucinating 24/7. Unbelievable. I cannot say enough good things about this medication. She was tired the first week, but that was good, better to rest than to be awake and delusional. I think she is ready for an 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, give this medication time to work. It is a miracle medicine. Give it at least 2 weeks at the 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• ric...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 8, 2025

Memantine "I am taking 5 mg two times per day for dementia. The medicine makes me tired. I take it after lunch and nap and before bedtime to help me sleep. By day two, I feel that my head is clearer, my memory a bit better, and my parking is greatly improved. I can now continue to drive."