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Memantine Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jan 29, 2024.

Applies to memantine: oral capsule extended release, oral solution, oral tablet.

Serious side effects of Memantine

Along with its needed effects, memantine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking memantine:

Less common

Incidence not known

Other side effects of Memantine

Some side effects of memantine may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

Less common

Incidence not known

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to memantine: oral capsule extended release, oral kit, oral solution, oral tablet.

General

The most common adverse reactions (frequency of at least 5% and higher than placebo) were dizziness, headache, confusion, constipation, and diarrhea.[Ref]

Cardiovascular

Common (1% to 10%): Hypertension, hypotension, bradycardia, angina pectoris, phlebitis, deep thrombophlebitis, cardiac arrest

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Cardiac failure, venous thrombosis/thromboembolism

Frequency not reported: Postural hypotension, rhythm and rate disturbance (e.g., atrial fibrillation), QTc prolongation, ischemic event and sudden death (e.g., myocardial infarction), embolism, venous thrombosis/thromboembolism[Ref]

Dermatologic

Common (1% to 10%): Purpura, rash, basal cell carcinoma

Frequency not reported: Dermatitis, skin disorder, skin ulceration, bullous eruption, pruritus, increased sweating

Postmarketing reports: Stevens Johnson syndrome[Ref]

Endocrine

Common (1% to 10%): Hyperglycemia, diabetes mellitus

Frequency not reported: Aggravated diabetes mellitus[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Common (1% to 10%): Constipation, diarrhea, abdominal pain, vomiting, nausea, gastroenteritis

Frequency not reported: Diverticulitis, dyspepsia, hemorrhoids, gastric ulcer, ileus

Postmarketing reports: Pancreatitis[Ref]

Genitourinary

Common (1% to 10%): Urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence, urinary tract infection, hyperuricemia, micturition frequency

Frequency not reported: Cystitis, pyuria, hematuria[Ref]

Hepatic

Common (1% to 10%): Increased ALT, increased AST, increased gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), increased phosphatase alkaline, elevated liver function test

Postmarketing reports: Hepatitis, bilirubinemia[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

Common (1% to 10%): Drug hypersensitivity[Ref]

Metabolic

Common (1% to 10%): Increased weight, decreased weight, anorexia, dehydration, hypokalemia

Frequency not reported: Increased appetite, hypernatremia, hyponatremia[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

Common (1% to 10%): Back pain, arthralgia, leg pain, hypertonia, arthrosis, muscle weakness, myalgia, skeletal pain[Ref]

Nervous system

Common (1% to 10%): Dizziness, headache, somnolence, balance disorders, abnormal gait, syncope, coma

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Seizures

Frequency not reported: Aphasia, speech disorder, hyperkinesia, dyskinesia, dementia, partial epileptic seizure, convulsions, tremor, extrapyramidal disorder, transient ischemic attack, vertigo, numbness, paresthesia, stupor, cerebrovascular disorder, intracranial hemorrhage[Ref]

Ocular

Common (1% to 10%): Cataract, conjunctivitis[Ref]

Other

Common (1% to 10%): Fatigue, peripheral edema, pain, influenza, inflicted injury, fall, dependent edema, tooth ache, tooth caries, edema, abrasion

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Fungal infections

Frequency not reported: Fever, asthenia, tiredness, chest pain, menstrual disorder[Ref]

Psychiatric

Common (1% to 10%): Confusion, hallucination, anxiety, depression, aggression, agitation, insomnia, delusion, sleep disorder, abnormal crying

Frequency not reported: Increased libido, mental status changes, nervousness, excitation/mania, suicide attempt, psychotic reactions

Postmarketing reports: Suicidal ideation, suicide, psychotic reactions[Ref]

Respiratory

Common (1% to 10%): Coughing, dyspnea, bronchitis, pneumonia, upper respiratory tract infection, apnea, rhinitis

Frequency not reported: Atelectasis[Ref]

Hematologic

Frequency not reported: Anemia

Postmarketing reports: Agranulocytosis, leukopenia (including neutropenia), pancytopenia, thrombocytopenia, thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), leucocytosis[Ref]

Renal

Frequency not reported: Abnormal renal function, renal calculus

Postmarketing reports: Acute renal failure (including increased creatinine, renal insufficiency)[Ref]

References

1. Cerner Multum, Inc. Australian Product Information.

2. Product Information. Namenda XR (memantine). Forest Pharmaceuticals. 2014.

3. Product Information. Namenda (memantine). Forest Pharmaceuticals. 2003.

4. Cerner Multum, Inc. UK Summary of Product Characteristics.

Further information

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

Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.

Medical Disclaimer