Memantine Hydrochloride

MEMANTINE HYDROCHLORIDE

Manufacturer: Macleods Pharmaceuticals Limited

Score: 141.0

Quick Summary

Memantine hydrochloride is an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist used for the treatment of moderate to severe dementia of the Alzheimer's type. It is available in 5 mg and 10 mg tablets and should be taken with or without food. The initial dose is 5 mg once daily, which can be increased to 10 mg twice daily. Memantine hydrochloride has been shown to be effective in improving cognitive and functional abilities in patients with Alzheimer's disease, but it is not a cure and does not prevent or slow neurodegeneration. The most common adverse reactions include dizziness, headache, confusion, and constipation.

Key Clinical Findings and Indications

Treatment of moderate to severe dementia of the Alzheimer's type
Improves cognitive and functional abilities in patients with Alzheimer's disease

Important Safety Information

Warning

Memantine hydrochloride is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to memantine hydrochloride or to any excipients used in the formulation

Contraindications

Known hypersensitivity to memantine hydrochloride or any excipients

Adverse Reactions

Dizziness
Headache
Confusion
Constipation

Dosing Recommendations

General Guidance

Dose should be reduced in patients with severe renal impairment

Moderate to severe dementia of the Alzheimer's type

Adult Dose

Initial dose: 5 mg once daily, increased to 10 mg twice daily

Pediatric Dose

Not established

Special Population Considerations

Pregnancy

There are no adequate data on the developmental risk associated with the use of memantine in pregnant women
Adverse developmental effects were observed in animal studies

Nursing Mothers

There are no data on the presence of memantine in human milk
Caution should be exercised when administering memantine to nursing mothers

Pediatric Use

Safety and effectiveness have not been established in pediatric patients
Memantine failed to demonstrate efficacy in two 12-week controlled clinical studies of pediatric patients with autism spectrum disorders

Geriatric Use

The majority of people with Alzheimer's disease are 65 years and older
No clinically meaningful differences in adverse events were reported by patient groups ≥65 years old and <65 years old

Similar Drugs

Meclizine Hydrocloride

MECLIZINE HYDROCLORIDE

QPharma Inc

Similarity: 61.6%