How Memantine works

Memory loss in Alzheimer’s disease is due to an imbalance of chemical messengers in the brain. Memantine works by blocking the action of glutamate, a chemical messenger involved in the transmission of nerve signals.

Side Effects

Dizziness, Headache, Confusion, Constipation

Usage

Memantine is used in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease
It should be used in patients with moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Is Memantine a psychotropic drug?

A psychotropic drug is a medicine affecting the mind, emotions, and behaviour. Memantine has a beneficial effect on the behavioural symptoms of patients with moderate to severe Alzheimer's Disease. Therefore it is considered as a psychotropic agent.

Q. Is Memantine a narcotic?

No. Memantine is not a narcotic. It does not have habit forming potential.

Q. Is Memantine a mood stabiliser?

No. Mood stabilisers are used to treat mania and bipolar disorder. Memantine is not approved for these conditions yet, although studies are going on for the role of Memantine in these diseases also.

Q. Is Memantine a nootropic.

No. Memantine does not fit in the generally accepted "Nootropic" descriptor for healthy people. Nootropics are drugs which increase cognition/ motivation/ creativity in healthy individuals. Memantine, on the other hand, improves cognition in patients with Alzheimer's Disease.

Q. Is Memantine a cholinesterase inhibitor?

No. Memantine does not function by inhibiting the cholinesterase enzyme found in the endings of nerve cells. Rather, it acts by preventing the toxicity of an excitatory substance called glutamate in the brain.

Q. Is Memantine a NMDA receptor antagonist?

Yes. Memantine acts as an antagonist at the NMDA receptor. This is the receptor in the brain through which glutamate, an excitatory substance, damages the nerve cells in the brain, which is found in Alzheimer's disease.

Q. What is Cmax of Memantine?

Cmax (Peak plasm concentration) of Memantine is 35-40 ng/ml.

Q. Can I take Memantine with vitamin D?

It has been reported in some studies that a combination of Memantine and Vitamin D improves cognition in Alzheimer's Disease. However, more studies are required to confirm this finding.

Q. Can I take Memantine with vitamin E?

Some studies have reported that among patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease, taking alpha-tocopherol (Vitamin E) with Memantine slows the progressive functional decline. However, more studies are required to confirm this finding.

Q. When to start Memantine?

Memantine is started when a person starts suffering from moderate to severe Alzheimer's Disease and has failed other options. Despite years of research for mild Alzheimer's Disease, Memantine has not been found to be useful in it.

Q. Why is Memantine prescribed?

Memantine is prescribed to improve the cognitive (memory) function in patients with Alzheimer's Disease when other treatment options like cholinesterase enzyme inhibitors have failed.

Q. What is the interaction of Memantine with metformin?

The interaction between Memantine and Metformin is minor. Memantine oral increases the level or effect of metformin by nonacidic drugs competing for the same pathway through the kidney.

Q. What is the interaction of Memantine with warfarin?

No known interaction between Memantine and Warfarin has been found.

Q. Can Memantine used in dementia with Lewy bodies?

The role of Memantine in Lewy Body Dementia (LBD) is controversial. Some studies suggest that it is safe and efficacious in this disease whereas others have shown exacerbation of LBD due to Memantine. Memantine is not approved for use in Lewy Body Dementia.

Q. Can Memantine combined with donepezil?

A combination of Memantine and Donepezil can be given in moderate to severe Alzheimer's Disease. It has been shown that the combination may have additive effects i.e. effects of both drugs are added when given together in some studies.

Q. Can Memantine be used with rivastigmine?

Memantine in combination with rivastigmine is safe and beneficial in patients with Alzheimer's Disease. Patients have improvement or stabilisation on dual therapy.

Q. Can Memantine be used for chronic pain?

Memantine is not indicated for use in chronic pain. It has been proposed as a medication for the treatment of neuropathic pain for its mechanism, safety, lack of serious adverse effects, and the relatively rapid onset of action. However, studies have not been promising so far and its routine use in neuropathic pain is not currently recommended.

Q. Can Memantine be used for opiate withdrawal?

Memantine is not indicated for use in Opioid withdrawal. In a number of small studies, it has been seen that Memantine decreased the expression of opioid physical dependence in humans but there is a need for more studies in this field.

Q. Can Memantine be used for autism?

Memantine has failed to demonstrate clinical efficacy in autism. Studies are currently in progress for other clinical applications.

Q. Can Memantine use for dementia?

Memantine has failed to demonstrate clinical efficacy in vascular dementia although it was well-tolerated.