memantine

Pronunciation: meh MAN teen

Brand: Namenda, Namenda XR

Namenda

slide 1 of 21, Namenda,

5 mg, oval, brown, imprinted with 5, FL

Image of Namenda
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Namenda

slide 2 of 21, Namenda,

10 mg, oval, gray, imprinted with 10, FL

Image of Namenda
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Namenda XR

slide 3 of 21, Namenda XR,

7 mg, capsule, yellow, imprinted with FLI 7 mg

Image of Namenda XR
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Namenda XR

slide 4 of 21, Namenda XR,

28 mg, capsule, green, imprinted with FLI 28 mg

Image of Namenda XR
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Memantine Hydrochloride

slide 5 of 21, Memantine Hydrochloride,

10 mg, capsule, gray, imprinted with RDY, 597

Image of Memantine Hydrochloride
slide 5 of 21

Memantine Hydrochloride

slide 6 of 21, Memantine Hydrochloride,

10 mg, capsule, gray, imprinted with RDY, 597

Image of Memantine Hydrochloride
slide 6 of 21

Memantine Hydrochloride

slide 7 of 21, Memantine Hydrochloride,

10 mg, capsule, gray, imprinted with LU, W02

Image of Memantine Hydrochloride
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Memantine Hydrochloride

slide 8 of 21, Memantine Hydrochloride,

5 mg, capsule, orange, imprinted with RDY, 596

Image of Memantine Hydrochloride
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Memantine Hydrochloride

slide 9 of 21, Memantine Hydrochloride,

5 mg, capsule, tan, imprinted with LU, W01

Image of Memantine Hydrochloride
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Memantine Hydrochloride

slide 10 of 21, Memantine Hydrochloride,

14 mg, capsule, green/peach, imprinted with MYLAN MT 14

Image of Memantine Hydrochloride
slide 10 of 21

Memantine Hydrochloride

slide 11 of 21, Memantine Hydrochloride,

14 mg, capsule, green/yellow, imprinted with FLI 14 mg

Image of Memantine Hydrochloride
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Memantine Hydrochloride

slide 12 of 21, Memantine Hydrochloride,

14 mg, capsule, green/yellow, imprinted with AN, 783

Image of Memantine Hydrochloride
slide 12 of 21

Memantine Hydrochloride

slide 13 of 21, Memantine Hydrochloride,

21 mg, capsule, green/white, imprinted with MYLAN MT 21

Image of Memantine Hydrochloride
slide 13 of 21

Memantine Hydrochloride

slide 14 of 21, Memantine Hydrochloride,

21 mg, capsule, green/white, imprinted with FLI 21 mg

Image of Memantine Hydrochloride
slide 14 of 21

Memantine Hydrochloride

slide 15 of 21, Memantine Hydrochloride,

21 mg, capsule, green/white, imprinted with AN, 784

Image of Memantine Hydrochloride
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Memantine Hydrochloride

slide 16 of 21, Memantine Hydrochloride,

28 mg, capsule, green, imprinted with MYLAN MT 28

Image of Memantine Hydrochloride
slide 16 of 21

Memantine Hydrochloride

slide 17 of 21, Memantine Hydrochloride,

28 mg, capsule, dark green, imprinted with FLI 28 mg

Image of Memantine Hydrochloride
slide 17 of 21

Memantine Hydrochloride

slide 18 of 21, Memantine Hydrochloride,

28 mg, capsule, green, imprinted with AN, 785

Image of Memantine Hydrochloride
slide 18 of 21

Memantine Hydrochloride

slide 19 of 21, Memantine Hydrochloride,

7 mg, capsule, peach, imprinted with MYLAN MT 7

Image of Memantine Hydrochloride
slide 19 of 21

Memantine Hydrochloride

slide 20 of 21, Memantine Hydrochloride,

7 mg, capsule, yellow, imprinted with FLI 7 mg

Image of Memantine Hydrochloride
slide 20 of 21

Memantine Hydrochloride

slide 21 of 21, Memantine Hydrochloride,

7 mg, capsule, yellow, imprinted with AN, 782

Image of Memantine Hydrochloride
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What is the most important information I should know about memantine?

Follow all directions on your medicine label and package. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all medicines you use.

What is memantine?

Memantine reduces the actions of chemicals in the brain that may contribute to the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease.

Memantine is used to treat moderate to severe dementia of the Alzheimer's type.

Memantine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking memantine?

You should not use memantine if you are allergic to it.

To make sure memantine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

  • epilepsy or other seizure disorder;
  • liver disease;
  • kidney disease;
  • urination problems; or
  • a bladder or kidney infection.

This medicine is not expected to harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

It is not known whether memantine passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take memantine?

Follow all directions on your prescription label. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Memantine can be taken with or without food.

Do not crush, chew, break, or open an extended-release capsule. Swallow it whole.

To make swallowing easier, you may open the extended-release capsule and sprinkle the medicine into a spoonful of applesauce. Swallow right away without chewing. Do not save the mixture for later use.

Measure liquid medicine (oral solution) with the dosing syringe provided, or with a special dose-measuring spoon or medicine cup. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.

Do not mix the oral solution with any other liquids.

Rinse the empty oral syringe with clean water and allow it to air dry after every use.

Use memantine regularly to get the most benefit. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.

Your doctor will need to check your progress while you are using memantine.

Store memantine at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep the liquid medicine bottle tightly closed with the cap provided. Do not store the bottle with the oral syringe in it.

Read all patient information, medication guides, and instruction sheets provided to you. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

If you miss doses or forget to take your medicine for several days, call your doctor before starting the medicine again.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while taking memantine?

Memantine can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.

What are the possible side effects of memantine?

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

  • severe headache, blurred vision, pounding in your neck or ears;
  • seizure (convulsions); or
  • unusual changes in mood or behavior.

Common side effects may include:

  • diarrhea;
  • dizziness; or
  • headache.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect memantine?

Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using, especially:

  • amantadine;
  • zonisamide;
  • cough medicine that contains dextromethorphan (Delsym, Robitussin Maximum Strength, Vicks 44, and others);
  • medicines to make the urine alkaline --urine sodium bicarbonate, potassium citrate (K-Lyte, Urocit-K), sodium citrate and citric acid (Bicitra, Oracit), or sodium citrate and potassium (Citrolith, Polycitra); or
  • medicine to treat glaucoma or increased pressure inside the eyes --acetazolamide, methazolamide.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with memantine, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about memantine.

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.