Pronunciation: Nuh-MEN-dah
Generic name: memantine
Brand names: Namenda, Namenda XR
Dosage form: oral tablets
Drug class: Miscellaneous central nervous system agents

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on Aug 28, 2024.

What is Namenda?

Namenda (memantine) reduces the actions of chemicals in the brain that may contribute to the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease.

Namenda is used to treat moderate to severe dementia of the Alzheimer's type.

Namenda's mechanism of action is to help balance a brain chemical called glutamate. In Alzheimer's, there can be too much glutamate activity, which can harm brain cells. By controlling glutamate, Namenda may help protect brain cells from damage and improve memory and thinking skills in some people with Alzheimer's. Namenda is not a cure for Alzheimer's.

Because Namenda works differently from other Alzheimer's medications it may be prescribed along with other Alzheimer's drugs for better results. Namenda belongs to the drug class called NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) inhibitors.

Namenda gained FDA approval on October 16, 2003. A Namenda generic is available under the name memantine.

Namenda side effects

The most common Namenda side effects are:

• dizziness

• headache

• confusion

• constipation.

Serious side effects and warnings

Your body gets rid of Namenda through your urine. Some health conditions, such as a urinary tract infection, kidney disease, medications, or diet can make your urine less acidic (raise its pH). If this happens, your body might not remove Namenda as well as it should. This could cause more Namenda to stay in your blood than usual.

Namenda can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything requiring you to be alert.

Namenda may cause an allergic reaction. Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Namenda: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Related/similar drugs

donepezil, memantine, Aricept, rivastigmine, vitamin e, Exelon

Before taking this medicine

Do not take Namenda if you are allergic to memantine, Namenda, or any of the inactive ingredients in the tablets (see the ingredient list below).

Before taking Namenda, tell your doctor about all your medical conditions including if you have:

• have or have had seizures or epilepsy

• have liver disease

• have kidney disease

• have problems passing urine

• have a bladder or kidney infection

• are pregnant or plan to become pregnant

• are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

Pregnancy

It is not known if Namenda will harm an unborn baby.

Breastfeeding

It is not known if Namenda passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Talk to your doctor about the best way to feed your baby if you take Namenda.

How do I take Namenda?

Take Namenda exactly as it was prescribed for you. Follow all directions on your prescription label and do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

• Namenda is usually taken once or twice daily (see Namenda dosage below).
• Namenda can be taken with or without food.
• Do not crush, chew, break, or open an extended-release capsule. Swallow it whole.

To make swallowing easier, you may open the extended-release capsule and sprinkle the medicine into a spoonful of applesauce. Swallow right away without chewing. Do not save the mixture for later use.

Use Namenda regularly to get the most benefit. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.

• Your doctor will need to check your progress while you are using Namenda.

Namenda dosing information

Usual Adult Dose of Namenda for Alzheimer's Disease:

IMMEDIATE-RELEASE:
Initial dose: Namenda 5 mg orally once a day, then titrated upwards by 5 mg per week
Maintenance dose: Namenda 5 mg once a day up to Namenda 10 mg twice a day
Maximum dose: 20 mg per day

EXTENDED-RELEASE:
Initial dose: Namenda XR 7 mg orally once a day, then titrated upwards by 7 mg per week
Maintenance dose: Namenda XR 7 mg once a day up to Namenda XR 28 mg once a day
Maximum dose: 28 mg orally once a day

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for the missed dose.

If you miss doses or forget to take your medicine for several days, call your doctor before starting the medicine again.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What to avoid

Namenda can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything requiring you to be alert.

What other drugs will affect Namenda?

Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using, especially:

• amantadine

• ketamine

• zonisamide

• cough medicine that contains dextromethorphan (Delsym, Robitussin Maximum Strength, Vicks 44, and others)

• medicines to make the urine alkaline - urine sodium bicarbonate, potassium citrate (K-Lyte, Urocit-K), sodium citrate and citric acid (Bicitra, Oracit), or sodium citrate and potassium (Citrolith, Polycitra) (can reduce the clearance of Namenda by about 80%)

• medicine to treat glaucoma or increased pressure inside the eyes - acetazolamide, methazolamide.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with memantine, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.

Namenda ingredients

Active ingredient: memantine hydrochloride 5 mg or 10 mg

Inactive ingredients: microcrystalline cellulose/colloidal silicon dioxide, talc, croscarmellose sodium, and magnesium stearate

Inactive ingredients of tablet film coating: hypromellose, titanium dioxide, polyethylene glycol 400, FD&C yellow #6 and FD&C blue #2 (5 mg tablets), and hypromellose, titanium dioxide, macrogol/polyethylene glycol 400 and iron oxide black (10 mg tablets).

Available as Namenda 5 mg tablets and Namenda 10 mg tablets.

Storage

Store Namenda at room temperature between 59°F to 77°F (15°C to 30°C) away from moisture and heat.

Who makes Namenda?

Merz Pharmaceuticals GmbH makes Namenda which is distributed by Allergan USA, Inc.

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Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

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