Memantine Hydrochloride

Dementia, Vascular, Dementia, Vascular, Alzheimer's Disease + 3 more

Treatment

4 FDA approvals

20 Active Studies for Memantine Hydrochloride

What is Memantine Hydrochloride

Memantine

The Generic name of this drug

Treatment Summary

Memantine is a drug approved by the FDA in 2013 to treat Alzheimer's Disease. It works differently than other Alzheimer's medications, as it targets the neurotransmitter glutamate which can cause too much stimulation in the brain. The number of people with Alzheimer's Disease is expected to grow significantly over the next couple of decades, making it a global priority to find a cure or treatment. Memantine is one of the medications being used to help manage the symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease.

Namenda

is the brand name

image of different drug pills on a surface

Memantine Hydrochloride Overview & Background

Brand Name

Generic Name

First FDA Approval

How many FDA approvals?

Namenda

Memantine

2003

235

Approved as Treatment by the FDA

Memantine, commonly known as Namenda, is approved by the FDA for 4 uses like Alzheimer's Disease and moderate Alzheimer's Type Dementia .

Alzheimer's Disease

Used to treat moderate Alzheimer's Type Dementia in combination with Donepezil

moderate Alzheimer's Type Dementia

Used to treat moderate Alzheimer's Type Dementia in combination with Donepezil

severe Alzheimer's Type Dementia

Helps manage severe Alzheimer's Type Dementia

Alzheimer's Disease

Helps manage severe Alzheimer's Type Dementia

Effectiveness

How Memantine Hydrochloride Affects Patients

Memantine works by blocking calcium from entering cells in the brain that are affected by chronic activation of the NMDA receptor. This helps to improve Alzheimer's dementia symptoms, and increase cognition. It can also act as a neuroprotectant against the destruction of neurons caused by excitatory neurotransmitters and improve memory. While memantine does not interfere with other receptors or channels, it does act as an antagonist of the 5HT3 receptor. Unlike other drugs used to treat Alzheimer's, memantine does not affect the reversible inhibition of the acetylcholinesterase.

How Memantine Hydrochloride works in the body

Glutamate is a molecule that can over-activate certain receptors in the brain, which have been linked to Alzheimer's symptoms. Memantine works by blocking these receptors and preventing the glutamate from over-activating them. This helps to reduce the neurotoxicity associated with too much glutamate. Studies have not yet found that memantine can prevent or slow down the damage caused by Alzheimer's disease.

When to interrupt dosage

The proposed dosage of Memantine Hydrochloride is dependent upon the diagnosed disorder, including Alzheimer's Disease, Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia, Vascular. The measure of dosage shifts as per the method of delivery (e.g. Kit - Oral or Solution - Oral) presented in the below table.

Condition

Dosage

Administration

Alzheimer's Disease

, 5.0 mg, 10.0 mg, 2.0 mg/mL, 7.0 mg, 14.0 mg, 28.0 mg, 20.0 mg, 5.0 mg/pump actuation, 21.0 mg, 10.0 mg/mL, 15.0 mg, 70.0 mg

Oral, , Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Kit, Kit - Oral, Solution - Oral, Solution, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Capsule, extended release - Oral, Capsule, extended release, Capsule - Oral, Capsule, Liquid - Oral, Liquid, Tablet, coated, Tablet, coated - Oral

Alzheimer's Disease

, 5.0 mg, 10.0 mg, 2.0 mg/mL, 7.0 mg, 14.0 mg, 28.0 mg, 20.0 mg, 5.0 mg/pump actuation, 21.0 mg, 10.0 mg/mL, 15.0 mg, 70.0 mg

Oral, , Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Kit, Kit - Oral, Solution - Oral, Solution, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Capsule, extended release - Oral, Capsule, extended release, Capsule - Oral, Capsule, Liquid - Oral, Liquid, Tablet, coated, Tablet, coated - Oral

Dementia, Vascular

, 5.0 mg, 10.0 mg, 2.0 mg/mL, 7.0 mg, 14.0 mg, 28.0 mg, 20.0 mg, 5.0 mg/pump actuation, 21.0 mg, 10.0 mg/mL, 15.0 mg, 70.0 mg

Oral, , Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Kit, Kit - Oral, Solution - Oral, Solution, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Capsule, extended release - Oral, Capsule, extended release, Capsule - Oral, Capsule, Liquid - Oral, Liquid, Tablet, coated, Tablet, coated - Oral

Dementia, Vascular

, 5.0 mg, 10.0 mg, 2.0 mg/mL, 7.0 mg, 14.0 mg, 28.0 mg, 20.0 mg, 5.0 mg/pump actuation, 21.0 mg, 10.0 mg/mL, 15.0 mg, 70.0 mg

Oral, , Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Kit, Kit - Oral, Solution - Oral, Solution, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Capsule, extended release - Oral, Capsule, extended release, Capsule - Oral, Capsule, Liquid - Oral, Liquid, Tablet, coated, Tablet, coated - Oral

Alzheimer's Disease

, 5.0 mg, 10.0 mg, 2.0 mg/mL, 7.0 mg, 14.0 mg, 28.0 mg, 20.0 mg, 5.0 mg/pump actuation, 21.0 mg, 10.0 mg/mL, 15.0 mg, 70.0 mg

Oral, , Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Kit, Kit - Oral, Solution - Oral, Solution, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Capsule, extended release - Oral, Capsule, extended release, Capsule - Oral, Capsule, Liquid - Oral, Liquid, Tablet, coated, Tablet, coated - Oral

Alzheimer's Disease

, 5.0 mg, 10.0 mg, 2.0 mg/mL, 7.0 mg, 14.0 mg, 28.0 mg, 20.0 mg, 5.0 mg/pump actuation, 21.0 mg, 10.0 mg/mL, 15.0 mg, 70.0 mg

Oral, , Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Kit, Kit - Oral, Solution - Oral, Solution, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Capsule, extended release - Oral, Capsule, extended release, Capsule - Oral, Capsule, Liquid - Oral, Liquid, Tablet, coated, Tablet, coated - Oral

Warnings

Memantine Hydrochloride has one contraindication, and so should not be employed when confronted with any of the conditions in the table below.

Memantine Hydrochloride Contraindications

Condition

Risk Level

Notes

Severe Hypersensitivity Reactions

Do Not Combine

Memantine may interact with Pulse Frequency

There are 20 known major drug interactions with Memantine Hydrochloride.

Common Memantine Hydrochloride Drug Interactions

Drug Name

Risk Level

Description

Acenocoumarol

Major

The metabolism of Acenocoumarol can be decreased when combined with Memantine.

Amitriptyline

Major

The metabolism of Amitriptyline can be decreased when combined with Memantine.

Antipyrine

Major

The metabolism of Antipyrine can be decreased when combined with Memantine.

Apomorphine

Major

The metabolism of Apomorphine can be decreased when combined with Memantine.

Artemether

Major

The metabolism of Artemether can be decreased when combined with Memantine.

Memantine Hydrochloride Toxicity & Overdose Risk

The toxic dose of memantine in mice is 437-498mg/kg and 328-370mg/kg in rats. No evidence of carcinogenicity or genotoxicity was found when tested in mice or rats, and no effects on fertility or reproductive performance were observed in rats. There are not enough controlled studies to determine the safety of memantine during pregnancy, so it should only be taken if the potential benefit outweighs the potential risk to the fetus. It is unknown whether memantine is present in human milk, so caution should be taken if the drug is taken by a nursing mother.

image of a doctor in a lab doing drug, clinical research

Memantine Hydrochloride Novel Uses: Which Conditions Have a Clinical Trial Featuring Memantine Hydrochloride?

41 active trials are being conducted to explore the potential of Memantine Hydrochloride as a treatment option for Alzheimer's Disease, Dementia, Vascular and Alzheimer's Disease related symptoms.

Condition

Clinical Trials

Trial Phases

Alzheimer's Disease

3 Actively Recruiting

Phase 3, Phase 2

Alzheimer's Disease

0 Actively Recruiting

Alzheimer's Disease

39 Actively Recruiting

Phase 4, Phase 2, Phase 3, Not Applicable, Phase 1

Dementia, Vascular

0 Actively Recruiting

Alzheimer's Disease

0 Actively Recruiting

Dementia, Vascular

0 Actively Recruiting

Memantine Hydrochloride Reviews: What are patients saying about Memantine Hydrochloride?

5

Patient Review

6/27/2017

Memantine Hydrochloride for Moderate to Severe Alzheimer's Type Dementia

This medication, in combination with Aricept, has been very effective for my spouse. They've shown significant improvement in cognitive skills, writing ability, alertness, and even sense of humor. I couldn't be happier with how well it's working.

4.7

Patient Review

6/29/2018

Memantine Hydrochloride for Moderate to Severe Alzheimer's Type Dementia

I'm a caregiver for a 65 year old woman and I've noticed that since she started this medication, she's been feeling more like herself. It seems to help stabilize her mood, which is great.

4.3

Patient Review

2/7/2022

Memantine Hydrochloride for Moderate to Severe Alzheimer's Type Dementia

My spouse and I made the switch to this treatment about two months ago, and it's been working much better for her than the previous medication. She's more alert during the day now and doesn't have nearly as many issues with confusion or restlessness. Plus, she sleeps soundly at night and takes regular naps without any problems. We've noticed a big change in her overall attitude - she's much happier now. Thanks!

2

Patient Review

3/8/2013

Memantine Hydrochloride for Moderate to Severe Alzheimer's Type Dementia

In week three of the treatment, I began to experience serious confusion. My body ached all over and I could barely stand up without losing my balance. Speaking was also become difficult and incoherent.
image of drug pills surrounding a glass of water symbolizing drug consumption

Patient Q&A Section about memantine hydrochloride

These questions and answers are submitted by anonymous patients, and have not been verified by our internal team.

What are the side effects of taking memantine?

"The side effects of memantine may include feeling dizzy, confused, or having a headache."

Answered by AI

Does memantine improve memory?

"Memantine's purpose is to treat moderate to severe confusion that is related to Alzheimer's disease. It does not have the ability to cure Alzheimer's disease, but it may lead to an individual having improvements in their memory, awareness, and ability to perform daily tasks."

Answered by AI

What does memantine hydrochloride do?

"Memantine is a medication used to treat the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. Memantine works by decreasing abnormal activity in the brain."

Answered by AI

What stage of dementia is memantine used for?

"The European Medicines Agency and the US Food and Drug Administration have both approved memantine for use in Alzheimer's disease."

Answered by AI

Clinical Trials for Memantine Hydrochloride

Image of CSMC in Los Angeles, United States.

Photobiomodulation for Alzheimer's Disease

55 - 89
All Sexes
Los Angeles, CA

The purpose of this study is to see if a special light treatment, called photobiomodulation, can help people with memory problems such as Mild Cognitive Impairment or Mild Dementia due to Alzheimer's disease. The light is given to the forehead using an FDA-cleared medical device. This device is cleared to provide topical heating to elevate tissue temperature for temporary relief of muscle and joint pain, muscle spasm and stiffness associated with arthritis. It also increases blood circulation and relaxes muscle tissue. This device is being used "off-label," meaning it will be used in a way that is different than its cleared use. We want to learn whether this light treatment can improve executive function, and whether it changes certain inflammatory and neurodegeneration related signals in the blood. To do this, we will apply the photobiomodulation device to your forehead. We will also ask you questions and give you cognitive tests before and after light treatment. We will also collect blood samples before and after treatment.

Recruiting
Device

CSMC

Golnaz Yadollahikhales, MD

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Image of Smith Family Clinic for Genomic Medicine in Huntsville, United States.

Lifestyle Intervention for Alzheimer's Disease

65 - 75
All Sexes
Huntsville, AL

Many individuals develop dementia, and dementia has multiple causes, yet we currently have limited treatment options. A critical observation of the effectiveness of the available dementia treatments is that they tend to be more effective when started early. Previous studies have shown that multimodal lifestyle interventions can significantly delay the onset of Alzheimer's dementia in individuals with high risk for Alzheimer's or with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). These interventions may be less effective when initiated after dementia has already been diagnosed or is more advanced. This study has two primary goals. The first goal is to assess attitudes around dementia risk for participants throughout the study as they learn of their personalized risk and possible lifestyle factors that may modify that risk. The second goal is to serve as a logistical pilot for the implementation of data collection and processing and multimodal lifestyle intervention to reduce the risk factors of dementia in individuals without current cognitive impairment but who are at high risk of progression to dementia. Secondary goals of this study include better defining what factors contribute the most risk to dementia and identifying sub-types of dementia defined by different genetic and molecular risk factors.

Recruiting
Has No Placebo

Smith Family Clinic for Genomic Medicine

Have you considered Memantine Hydrochloride clinical trials?

We made a collection of clinical trials featuring Memantine Hydrochloride, we think they might fit your search criteria.
Go to Trials

Have you considered Memantine Hydrochloride clinical trials?

We made a collection of clinical trials featuring Memantine Hydrochloride, we think they might fit your search criteria.
Go to Trials