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Memantine (Namenda®, Namenda XR®): Basic Information

Memantine is an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist. It is available in the US as Namenda® (brand name and generic), Namenda XR® (brand name only), and Namzaric® (in combination with donepezil; brand name only). Here is basic information about this medication.


Memantine (Namenda®)

FDA-approved indications

Treatment of moderate to severe dementia of the Alzheimer’s type


 

Dosage

 

Starting: 5 mg once daily

 

Maintenance: Increase in 5 mg increments with minimum interval of one week between dose increases to recommended maintenance dose of 10 mg twice daily

 

Special Populations

 

In patients with severe renal impairment (Creatinine clearance 5 to 29 mL/min)

 

Recommended maintenance dose is 5 mg twice daily

 


 

Dosage forms and strengths

 

Tablet: 5 mg and 10 mg

 

Oral solution: 2 mg/mL


Important! This page does not provide all the information needed to prescribe this medication. Please refer to the full Prescribing Information (see link below) before prescribing this medication.



 

Memantine (Namenda XR®) extended-release capsules

 

FDA-approved indications

 

Treatment of moderate to severe dementia of the Alzheimer’s type

 


 

Dosage

 

Starting: 7 mg once daily

 

Maintenance: Increase in 7 mg increments with minimum interval of one week between dose increases to recommended maintenance dose of 28 mg once daily

 

Maximum: 28 mg once daily

 

Special Populations

 

In patients with severe renal impairment (Creatinine Clearance 5-29 mL/min): Recommended maintenance dose is 14 mg/day

 

In patients switching from memantine (Namenda®) to memantine extended-release (Namenda XR®)

 

Patients on a regimen of Namenda® 10 mg twice daily may be switched to Namenda XR® 28 mg once daily following the last dose of 10 mg Namenda®.

 

In patients with severe renal impairment who are on a regimen of Namenda® 5 mg twice daily may be switched to Namenda XR® 14 mg once daily following the last dose of 5 mg Namenda®.

 


 

Instructions

 

Can be taken with or without food

 

Capsules may be opened, sprinkled on applesauce, and thereby swallowed

 

Capsule has to be swallowed whole and should not be divided, chewed, or crushed

 

If a patient misses a single dose, the patient should take up the next dose as scheduled without doubling the dose

 

If a patient fails to take Namenda XR® for several days, dosing may need to be resumed at lower doses

 


 

Dosage forms and strengths

 

Extended-Release capsule (Namenda XR®): 7 mg, 14 mg, 21 mg, and 28 mg

 

Please refer to Prescribing Information (see link below) for a complete discussion of dosage, administration, warnings and precautions, contraindications, etc.

 


 

Memantine and donepezil (Namzaric®) extended-release

 

Namzaric® is a combination of memantine hydrochloride, an NMDA receptor antagonist, and donepezil hydrochloride, an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor.

 


 

FDA-approved indications

 

Treatment of moderate to severe dementia of the Alzheimer’s type in patients stabilized on 10 mg of donepezil once daily

 


 

Dosage

 

1. For patients stabilized on donepezil 10 mg daily

 

Starting: 7 mg/10 mg (memantine/donepezil) taken once daily in the evening

 

Titration: Increase dosage in 7 mg increments with a minimum interval of at least one week between dose increases.

 

Maximum: 28 mg/10 mg

 

2. For patients stabilized on both memantine (10 mg twice daily or 28 mg extended-release once daily) and donepezil (10 mg once daily)

 

Switch to Namzaric® 28 mg/10 mg, taken once daily in the evening

 

3. In patients with severe renal impairment

 

Recommended maintenance dose is 14 mg/10 mg once daily in the evening

 

Instructions May be taken with or without food, whole or sprinkled on applesauce

 

Capsule should not be divided, chewed, or crushed

 


 

Dosage forms and strengths

 

Extended-Release Capsules:

 

7 mg memantine hydrochloride and 10 mg donepezil hydrochloride

 

14 mg memantine hydrochloride and 10 mg donepezil hydrochloride

 

21 mg memantine hydrochloride and 10 mg donepezil hydrochloride

 

28 mg memantine hydrochloride and 10 mg donepezil hydrochloride


Important! This page does not provide all the information needed to prescribe this medication. Please refer to the full Prescribing Information (see link below) before prescribing this medication.


Related Pag

 

Tips for interviewing patients with dementia

 

Neuroimaging in persons with dementia

 

Key points from the APA Practice Guideline on the Use of Antipsychotics to Treat Agitation or Psychosis in Patients with Dementia

 

Neurocognitive disorders: Classification

 


 

References

 

Memantine (Namenda®) prescribing information

 

Memantine (Namenda XR®) extended-release prescribing information

 

Memantine and donepezil (Namzaric®) extended-release capsules prescribing information


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Disclaimer: The material on this website is provided as general education for medical professionals. It is not intended or recommended for patients or other laypersons or as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Patients must always consult a qualified healthcare professional regarding their diagnosis and treatment. Healthcare professionals should always check this website for the most recently updated information.

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