memantine hydrochloride at a glance
Medicine class
NMDA-receptor antagonist and anti-dementia treatment
Licensed use
Moderate to severe Alzheimer’s disease in adults
Food
Can be taken with or without food
Available forms
Film-coated tablets, orodispersible tablets and oral solution
What is memantine hydrochloride used for?
The selected products are licensed for:
Treatment of moderate to severe Alzheimer’s disease in adults.
How does memantine hydrochloride work?
Memantine blocks excessive signalling at NMDA receptors, which are activated by the brain messenger glutamate. By moderating persistently raised glutamate activity, it may reduce neuronal dysfunction while allowing more normal signalling to continue.
memantine hydrochloride preparations and strengths
Dispersible tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 5 mg, 5 mg + 10 mg + 15 mg + 20 mg, 10 mg, 15 mg, 20 mg
How to take memantine hydrochloride
Follow the prescription and instructions supplied with the specific product. It may be taken with or without food.
Swallow film-coated tablets with water.
Place an orodispersible tablet on the tongue and let it break down before swallowing; water is optional.
Dispense pump oral solution onto a spoon or into a small glass of water. Do not pump it directly into the mouth.
Use only the measuring device supplied with liquid preparations.
memantine hydrochloride side effects
Common or expected effects
- Dizziness or balance problems
- Headache
- Constipation
- Sleepiness
- Shortness of breath
- Raised blood pressure
- Abnormal liver-function tests
Get urgent medical advice
- Call 999 for a seizure or signs of a severe allergic reaction.
- Call 999 for sudden breathlessness, sharp chest pain or coughing up blood, which may indicate a pulmonary embolism.
- Seek urgent assessment for jaundice, dark urine or pale stools, which may indicate liver injury.
- Seek urgent assessment for severe central abdominal pain with vomiting, diarrhoea or fever, which may indicate pancreatitis.
- Seek prompt clinical advice for new hallucinations, marked confusion or psychotic symptoms.
- Seek prompt assessment for swollen legs, worsening breathlessness or persistent cough, which may indicate heart failure.
memantine hydrochloride in pregnancy
Memantine is not generally recommended during pregnancy because human evidence is limited and the potential risk is uncertain. Anyone who is pregnant or planning pregnancy should discuss treatment with the prescriber and should not stop it without advice.
memantine hydrochloride while breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is not recommended during memantine treatment because it is unknown whether memantine enters human milk, although its properties suggest transfer is possible. Discuss feeding and treatment options with the prescriber or pharmacist before making changes.
memantine hydrochloride interactions
Check all prescription, non-prescription and complementary products with a pharmacist or prescriber. Important examples include:
Amantadine, ketamine or dextromethorphan
These also affect NMDA receptors and should generally be avoided with memantine because central nervous-system adverse effects may become more frequent or pronounced.
Warfarin and other oral anticoagulants
Changes in clotting tests have been reported, so closer INR or prothrombin-time monitoring may be needed.
Levodopa, dopamine agonists and anticholinergics
Their effects may be enhanced when used with memantine.
Common questions about memantine hydrochloride
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
What is memantine hydrochloride used for?
The selected products are licensed to treat adults with moderate to severe Alzheimer’s disease.
Does memantine hydrochloride cure Alzheimer’s disease?
No. It may help some symptoms or slow worsening for some people, but it does not cure Alzheimer’s disease and responses vary.
How does memantine hydrochloride work in the brain?
It moderates excessive glutamate signalling by blocking NMDA receptors when they are pathologically overactive.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.