HWN Suggests

What is Memantine Used For?

Alzheimer’s researchers say more research is needed to fully understand the long-term benefits of taking memantine, but — while, again, it can’t prevent, reverse, or slow neurodegeneration in people with Alzheimer’s disease — they have seen some positive results in the drug’s ability to delay a decline in physical and cognitive functioning and relieve symptoms like restlessness, hallucinations, forgetfulness, and confusion.

read full article

Articles of Interest

Daily Medication Pearl: Memantine HCl (Namenda)

Persistent activation of central nervous system NMDA receptors by the excitatory amino acid glutamate has been hypothesized to contribute to the symptomatology of Alzheimer disease. Memantine is postulated to exert its therapeutic effect through its action as a low to moderate affinity uncompetitive (open-channel) NMDA receptor antagonist, which binds preferentially to the NMDA receptor-operated cation channels.

How Exactly Do Different Kinds of Alzheimer’s Medications Work?

Memantine (Namenda) works on the neurotransmitter glutamate, which is involved in many brain functions, rather than acetylcholine.rather than acetylcholine. Patients with dementia show an overstimulation of glutamate NMDA receptors—"Nobody knows why," Dr. Tan says—so, the idea is that blocking those receptors will prevent that overstimulation and could restore some memory functions. Memantine is approved only for moderate to severe symptoms of Alzheimer's disease.

Memantine as a treatment for dementia

We found important differences in the efficacy of memantine in mild AD compared to that in moderate-to-severe AD. There is a small clinical benefit of memantine in people with moderate-to-severe AD, which occurs irrespective of whether they are also taking a ChEI, but no benefit in people with mild AD.

Namenda (Memantine)

Namenda works to block glutamate from accessing NMDA receptors, preventing excessive calcium from entering cells and causing damage.

Namenda only Works for Severe Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia

Namenda (also called Memantine) was approved by the FDA in 2003 for use in people with “moderate to severe” Alzheimer’s disease or other types of dementia. The FDA rejected the manufacturer’s application to expand approval to include mild Alzheimer’s or dementia. However, the drug is often prescribed “off-label” for patients with mild Alzheimer’s or dementia even though there is little evidence of its benefit at this stage of disease and other drugs, such as Aricept and Razadyne, are more effective.

What Is Memantine (Namenda)?

Any time a person takes a medication, side effects are a possibility. Many side effects resolve on their own, but for some people, they can be bothersome enough to stop the medication. The most common side effects of memantine can include dizziness, headache, confusion, and constipation. Other side effects can include fatigue, hypertension, vomiting, and sleepiness.

Resources

StatPearls

Memantine is an antagonist of the NMDA (N-Methyl-D-Aspartate)-receptor subtype of glutamate receptor. It is used to slow the neurotoxicity thought to be involved in Alzheimer disease and other neurodegenerative diseases.Memantine blocks the NMDA-receptor subtype of glutamate receptors preventing over-activation of glutamine receptors while allowing the normal activity. Its blocking effects antagonize an overactive glutaminergic system in the central nervous system (CNS) which is thought to be involved in the neurotoxicity seen in Alzheimer disease.