By Frances Gatta | Might 18th, 2023
Contemplating Namenda for Alzheimer’s signs? Here is a dive into this treatment’s energetic drug memantine—what it is used for, the way it works, and tips on how to take it.
Alzheimer’s is to this point incurable, however there are medicines on the market that may assist handle signs and enhance high quality of life for sufferers and their caregivers and family members. One of many Alzheimer’s signs therapies in the marketplace is memantine, an FDA-approved oral drugs. It isn’t disease-modifying, so it might probably’t cease or treatment Alzheimer’s, however it’s designed to deal with the signs of average to extreme Alzheimer’s. It’s marketed underneath model names together with Namenda.
Memantine is an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA, the inspiration for the drug’s model identify Namenda) antagonist that’s designed to counteract the method believed to trigger mind harm and the dying of neurons within the mind — the method that leads to Alzheimer’s illness. Medical doctors prescribe Namenda (memantine) to assist folks residing with Alzheimer’s handle the illness’s signs like hallucinations, forgetfulness, confusion, and nervousness, and different elements of cognitive operate.
Memantine can’t stop Alzheimer’s from progressing, and it’s not a treatment — the illness’s organic processes will nonetheless proceed to develop within the mind — however is an possibility for remedy of those signs, to attempt to enhance the standard of life for folks residing with the illness.
Some research have proven that its model identify drug Namenda works greatest for folks within the later phases of Alzheimer’s — and that the uncomfortable side effects would possibly outweigh the advantages for folks in early and average phases of the illness.
What’s memantine used for, and what are its advantages?
Memantine is an FDA-approved prescription treatment for treating Alzheimer’s together with a gaggle of medicines known as acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (additionally known as cholinesterase inhibitors). It can be used off-label for treating delicate to average vascular dementia, psychiatric problems, continual ache, and delicate cognitive impairment.
Study extra about how
cholinesterase inhibitors work
Memantine helps stop the aforementioned mind harm and cell dying course of by stopping the overstimulation of glutamate, a chemical within the mind that, in extra quantities, is assumed to result in Alzheimer’s. Alzheimer’s researchers say extra analysis is required to completely perceive the long-term advantages of taking memantine, however — whereas, once more, it might probably’t stop, reverse, or gradual neurodegeneration in folks with Alzheimer’s illness — they’ve seen some constructive leads to the drug’s skill to delay a decline in bodily and cognitive functioning and relieve signs like restlessness, hallucinations, forgetfulness, and confusion.
What stage of dementia is Namenda (memantine) used for?
Memantine is prescribed for treating dementia in its center and late phases. This stated, Alzheimer’s researchers, together with Lon Schneider, MD, MS is Professor of Psychiatry, Neurology, and Gerontology on the Keck College of Medication of the College of Southern California and colleagues, have examined the drug in folks with milder Alzheimer’s and located that it’s not efficient.
“Sufferers with delicate Alzheimer’s illness gained’t profit from Namenda—however [it] will value them cash and will trigger uncomfortable side effects,” two Alzheimer’s researchers Dana Casciotti and Stephanie Fox-Rawlings wrote in a evaluate of research for the Nationwide Middle for Well being Analysis. Additional, they famous in trying on the obtainable analysis, amongst folks in Alzheimer’s average phases, “the impact of Namenda was very small,”
“Trying on the trials individually, solely one of many three trials discovered any statistically vital enchancment for sufferers taking Namenda in comparison with sufferers taking placebo,” the researchers wrote of research into folks with average Alzheimer’s illness. “Even that enchancment was for just one measure – a subjective measure of the physician or caregiver’s impressions of the sufferers’ habits. When the information have been mixed, there was a statistically vital impact on cognitive functioning and impression of change. Nonetheless, these variations have been small—about half the influence of medication like Aricept, Exelon, or Razadyne, that are generally prescribed to deal with Alzheimer’s signs.”
Their conclusion from the analysis evaluate was that Namenda solely works for extreme Alzheimer’s illness.
What are the uncomfortable side effects of taking Namenda (memantine) ?
Memantine causes a spread of uncomfortable side effects, a few of which can be life-threatening. In line with Casciotti and Fox-Rawlings, a number of the commonest uncomfortable side effects of Namenda embrace:
- Dizziness
- Confusion
- Headache
- Sleepiness
- Constipation
- Vomiting
- Ache (particularly again ache)
- Coughing
Different uncomfortable side effects would possibly embrace abdomen ache and vomiting, aggressive habits, hypertension, weight acquire, and urinary incontinence.
In uncommon circumstances, the label warns this treatment might trigger much more severe mind, coronary heart, abdomen, blood, kidney, liver, muscle, and skin-related drawback.
This checklist doesn’t embrace each single potential facet impact of memantine, and experiences with medicine differ from individual to individual.
Folks residing with Alzheimer’s who’re searching for a secure and efficient remedy for his or her signs ought to speak to a physician about any signs they’re experiencing when taking this treatment, to grasp whether or not these signs is perhaps uncomfortable side effects of the drug.
What medicine shouldn’t be taken with memantine?
When medicine mix in an individual’s system, it might probably change the results of those medicine, and even be harmful. Sufferers who’re prescribed Nameda or one other model of memantine ought to make sure that the prescribing doctor is conscious of all the opposite medicine they’re taking. In line with the UK’s Nationwide Well being Service, the next medicine will be harmful when mixed with memantine:
- Acetazolamide and brinzolamide: medicines for a gaggle of eye situations known as glaucoma
- Amantadine: treatment for treating Parkinson’s illness
- Bupropion: treatment for despair and smoking cessation
- Dextromethorphan: cough aid drugs
- Cimetidine: treatment for treating ulcers
- Procainamide: treatment for managing life-threatening irregular heartbeats
- Ketamine: an anesthesia treatment
- Methotrexate: a drug for treating sure cancers
- Quinidine: a drugs for treating coronary heart rhythm issues and malaria
- Bicarbonate: a drug designed to deal with indigestion, heartburn, and upset abdomen
Discuss to a physician about any medicines or dietary supplements you’re on to allow them to greatest advise you on taking them when taking memantine.
How must you take memantine?
Each affected person’s expertise is totally different. Consulting with a physician is one of the best ways to find out if a drug like memantine is an effective match.
In line with data offered by the Nationwide Institutes of Well being, this treatment will be taken by mouth as a pill, liquid drugs, or a long-acting capsule. Sufferers ought to seek the advice of their prescribing physician about dosage and whether or not it ought to be taken with or with out meals.
