{"id":54702,"date":"2022-10-26T21:29:58","date_gmt":"2022-10-27T01:29:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=54702"},"modified":"2024-10-25T11:08:01","modified_gmt":"2024-10-25T15:08:01","slug":"memantine-side-effects","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/memantine-side-effects\/","title":{"rendered":"Memantine side effects and how to avoid them"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Memantine<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is a generic <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">prescription drug<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> used to slow the progress of <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">moderate to severe <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/conditions\/alzheimers-treatment-and-medications\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Alzheimer&rsquo;s disease<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Also prescribed as <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">brand-name<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/namenda\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Namenda<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/namenda-xr\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Namenda XR<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">memantine<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> inhibits progressive nerve cell death caused by <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">glutamate<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, a common and necessary chemical in the brain. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Glutamate<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> normally attaches to a protein called <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/drug-classes\/nmda-receptor-antagonists\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">NMDA<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> at places where nerves meet, but in people with Alzheimer&rsquo;s, it also attaches to this protein at other parts h2of the nerve cell, causing the cell to die. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Memantine<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> selectively blocks the ability of <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">glutamate<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to do this, so it&rsquo;s called a selective <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">NMDA receptor antagonist<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (or <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">inhibitor<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). Unfortunately, Alzheimer&rsquo;s is caused by a complex of factors, so <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">memantine<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can only slow down its progress. It can&rsquo;t stop or reverse its course. Taken orally as a tablet, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">extended-release capsule<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, or <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">oral solution<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">memantine<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> causes few and fairly mild <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">side effects<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>RELATED: <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/memantine-hcl\/what-is\"><b>What is <\/b><b>memantine<\/b><b>?<\/b><\/a><b>  <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/memantine-hcl\"><b>Memantine<\/b><b> coupons<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"common-side-effects-of-memantine\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Common side effects<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">memantine<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/dailymed.nlm.nih.gov\/dailymed\/drugInfo.cfm?setid=f2b7538d-8ca1-4ac7-a172-d268e2fa9a52\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">clinical trials<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the most <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">common side effects<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">memantine<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> were headache, diarrhea, and dizziness. But relatively few people experienced these <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">side effects<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&mdash;no more than one in 20 for any single <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">side effect<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. However, the incidence of <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">side effects<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> was slightly higher in <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">clinical trials<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/dailymed.nlm.nih.gov\/dailymed\/drugInfo.cfm?setid=af2b73da-1be4-4b7f-929b-acb3b9a10f78\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">immediate-release <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">memantine<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> than for extended-release <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">memantine<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pdr.net\/drug-summary\/Namenda-memantine-hydrochloride-2193\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In order of incidence<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the most <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/online.epocrates.com\/drugs\/356605\/memantine\/Adverse-Reactions\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">common side effects<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">memantine<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Headache<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Diarrhea<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dizziness<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Confusion<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Flu<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Anxiety<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Elevated <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">blood pressure<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cough<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sleepiness<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Depression<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Constipation<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Vomiting<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Weight gain<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Back pain<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fatigue<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Aggressive behavior<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hallucinations<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Shortness of breath<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Trouble holding urine<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id=\"serious-side-effects-of-memantine\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Serious side effects<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">memantine<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The most <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">serious side effects<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">memantine<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Heart problems<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Blood disorders<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Suicidal thoughts<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Kidney failure<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Swollen pancreas (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/conditions\/pancreatitis-treatment-and-medications\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">pancreatitis<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hepatitis<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A severe skin reaction to the drug&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 id=\"memantine-and-suicidal-thoughts\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Memantine<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and suicidal thoughts<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">People diagnosed with Alzheimer&rsquo;s have an increased risk of suicide. The risk is highest among those who are <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/alz-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/10.1002\/alz.12390\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">recently diagnosed<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, are <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.karger.com\/Article\/Abstract\/64931\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">high functioning<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, or previously made attempts. A normal part of caring for someone with Alzheimer&rsquo;s is to carefully monitor the person for signs of suicidality such as thinking about suicide, new or <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">worsening<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> depression, or sudden changes in mood or behaviors. These should be immediately reported to the primary healthcare provider or a representative of the residence or nursing facility.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"how-soon-do-memantine-side-effects-start\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How soon do <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">memantine<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">side effects<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> start?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many of <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">memantine<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&rsquo;s mild <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">side effects<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can occur early in treatment including headache, dizziness, confusion, and diarrhea. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Constipation<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and weight gain typically take a while to become problems, but the incidence is relatively low. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Serious side effects<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> such as a skin reaction called <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK459323\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stevens-Johnson syndrome<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> may take weeks or months of taking a drug to show symptoms.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"how-long-do-memantine-side-effects-last\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How long do <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">memantine<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">side effects<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> last?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many of the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">side effects<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">memantine<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are similar to the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">symptoms of Alzheimer<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&rsquo;s, so it&rsquo;s not always easy to tell the difference. That being said, the mild <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">side effects<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">memantine<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are usually temporary and improve over time. If these problems are too much to tolerate, they usually resolve when the drug is stopped, but it may take some time. With a half-life of two to three days, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">memantine<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can linger in the body for a week or more after the last dose is taken.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"what-are-the-long-term-side-effects-of-memantine\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What are the long-term <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">side effects<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">memantine<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Memantine<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is intended to be used for months or years to slow the progress of Alzheimer&rsquo;s. There are no <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">side effects<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or health problems specifically caused by long-term use of <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">memantine<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"memantine-contraindications\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Memantine<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> contraindications<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Memantine<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is never used in people who have had an <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">allergic reaction<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">memantine<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"pregnancy\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pregnancy<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Memantine<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is primarily prescribed to older adults, although it is sometimes used <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/off-label-prescription-drugs\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">off-label<\/span><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pdr.net\/drug-summary\/Namenda-memantine-hydrochloride-2193\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to treat rapid eye movements<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (nystagmus), a problem that can happen at any age. There is no data concerning the safety of <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">memantine<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to a developing fetus, though animal studies suggest it may cause developmental problems. The use of <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">memantine<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> during pregnancy is a decision that a woman and her healthcare provider will need to make.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"breastfeeding\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Breastfeeding<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Memantine<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is primarily prescribed to older adults. There is no information about the safety of <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">memantine<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> when given to a mother who is <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">breastfeeding<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or whether it&rsquo;s present in <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">breast milk<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Treatment with <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">memantine<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is a decision a woman and her healthcare provider will need to make based on the possible risks and benefits.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"children\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Children<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Memantine<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is not <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">FDA<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">-approved for use in children or adolescents.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"seniors\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Seniors<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Alzheimer&rsquo;s is a disease that primarily affects people older than 65. In <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">clinical trials<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, there was no difference in effectiveness or <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">adverse effects<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> between people older than 65 and those younger. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Healthcare professionals<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are, however, warned that seniors may be more vulnerable to possible kidney problems when taking <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">memantine<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"memantine-warnings\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Memantine<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> warnings<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On the whole, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">memantine<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is a relatively mild medicine in terms of problems. Not only are <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">side effects<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> not commonly experienced but it doesn&rsquo;t have a lot of problems with pre-existing conditions, overdose, dependency, or other drugs. Still, there are some warnings that <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/caregiver-burnout\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">caregivers<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> should be aware of.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"cautions\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cautions<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Only a few pre-existing conditions may require caution or extra monitoring when taking <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">memantine<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. These include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Severe kidney disease: People with severe kidney disease will not eliminate the drug as well as other people, so lower doses will be prescribed.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Alkaline urine: People with a higher-than-normal pH in their urine are dramatically less able to eliminate <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">memantine<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> from the body than people with normal urine. Healthcare providers are advised to be cautious and monitor for <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">side effects<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in people with <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">medical conditions<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that can raise urinary pH, such as having severe <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/recurrent-uti\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">urinary tract infections<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or taking medicines that also raise urinary pH.&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 id=\"abuse-and-dependence\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Abuse and dependence<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Drug abuse and physical dependence are not associated with <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">memantine<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. There are no rebound or withdrawal symptoms when <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">memantine<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is discontinued.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"overdose\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Overdose<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Call a poison control center or get medical help if too much <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">memantine<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is taken. Most people will get their <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">memantine<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> dose from a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">caregiver<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, so there&rsquo;s less risk of an overdose than there is with self-medication. Symptoms of an overdose may include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Agitation<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Restlessness<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tiredness<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Slow heartbeat<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Confusion<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dizziness<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">High <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">blood pressure<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lack of energy<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stupor<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Slow movements<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Passing out<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hallucinations<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Unbalanced walking<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Vertigo<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Vomiting<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Weakness<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Coma<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id=\"memantine-interactions\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Memantine<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> interactions<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Just as <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">memantine<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> has few <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">side effects<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and only a few warnings, it also has few <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">drug interactions<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that are a cause for concern. No drugs are strictly prohibited, but a few might require extra monitoring for <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">side effects<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The most concerning are drugs that compete with <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">memantine<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in being filtered by the kidneys. This includes the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/conditions\/type-2-diabetes-treatment-and-medications\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">diabetes<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> drug <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/metformin-hcl\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">metformin<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. When combined with <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">memantine<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, they can significantly increase <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">memantine<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> levels in the body or <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">memantine<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can increase their levels. Whatever the effect, the risk of <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">side effects<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> goes up. Healthcare providers will more closely watch for <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">side effects<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> when giving <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">memantine<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> with any of these drugs.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some drugs make the urine more alkaline. Simply raising the pH of urine to 8 reduces the elimination of <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">memantine<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> by 80%. That&rsquo;s a lot, and the risk for <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">side effects<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> goes up accordingly. Healthcare providers are wary about using <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">memantine<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> with drugs that increase the pH of urine. Some of these drugs are well-known, like baking soda (<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">sodium bicarbonate<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). Others are more obscure but are familiar to the prescriber and the pharmacist.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some drugs make the urine more acidic. While that doesn&rsquo;t raise the risk of <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">side effects<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, it does mean that the body could eliminate <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">memantine<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> more quickly, making it less effective. Again, some of these are familiar like vitamin C. The prescriber and the pharmacist are aware of the others.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some drugs like the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Parkinson&rsquo;s disease<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> drug <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/amantadine-hcl\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">amantadine<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or the cough medicine <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/dextromethorphan-hbr\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">dextromethorphan<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> produce many of the same <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">side effects<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> as <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">memantine<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, so <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">side effects<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can be more frequent and more severe.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"how-to-avoid-memantine-side-effects\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How to avoid <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">memantine<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">side effects<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Although <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">side effects<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are relatively uncommon and mild when taking <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">memantine<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, it still pays to employ a few measures to minimize or avoid <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">possible side effects<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"1-control-this-medicine\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1. Control this medicine<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The first and most obvious way to avoid <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">side effects<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is to make sure the patient is not self-medicating. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Memantine<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is prescribed primarily to people with <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">moderate to severe dementia<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, so all their medications should be controlled and administered by a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">caregiver<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or residence staff.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>RELATED: <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/alzheimers-dementia-medication-management\"><b>Alzheimer&rsquo;s and dementia medication management<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"2-follow-the-instructions-when-taking-this-medicine\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2. Follow the instructions when taking this medicine<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Give only the dose prescribed following the schedule prescribed. If a dose is missed, it can still be given later unless it&rsquo;s almost time for the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">next dose<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. In that case, skip the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">missed dose<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and give the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">next dose<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> on schedule.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"3-use-a-schedule-scheduling-app-or-alarm-to-give-doses\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3. Use a schedule, scheduling app, or alarm to give doses<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For people of advanced age with Alzheimer&rsquo;s, more than one drug is likely being taken. For a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">caregiver<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, managing all those doses can be fairly complex. To avoid making mistakes, use a dosing schedule or, better yet, a dosing app on a smartphone or smartwatch.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>RELATED: <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/best-medication-reminder-apps\/\"><b>The 7 best prescription reminder apps and tools<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"4-tell-the-prescriber-about-all-medical-conditions\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">4. Tell the prescriber about all <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">medical conditions<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fortunately, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">memantine<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> does not cause a lot of issues with pre-existing conditions. However, make sure the prescriber has the patient&rsquo;s complete medical history <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/dailymed.nlm.nih.gov\/dailymed\/drugInfo.cfm?setid=710f523f-0158-4639-8ce7-57598247d48c\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">including<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Any history of seizures<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Any history of problems passing urine<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Kidney or bladder problems<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Liver problems<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 id=\"5-tell-the-prescriber-about-medications-and-supplements-being-taken\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">5. Tell the prescriber about medications and <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">supplements<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> being taken<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A few drugs and <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">supplements<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can cause problems when taken with <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">memantine<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, so make sure the prescriber knows about all the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">prescription drugs<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">over-the-counter<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> medicines, vitamins, and dietary <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">supplements<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> being given to the patient.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"6-keep-the-prescriber-informed-about-any-changes\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">6. Keep the prescriber informed about any changes<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Any changes in health conditions, prescriptions, or <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">supplements<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> should be communicated to the prescribing healthcare provider.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"7-make-the-house-safe\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">7. Make the house safe<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Making the patient&rsquo;s residence safe is a priority when taking care of someone with Alzheimer&rsquo;s. Dizziness, confusion, vertigo, and other effects of <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">memantine<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are added hazards. The prescribing healthcare professional can provide resources that will help in making living areas safer.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"how-to-treat-side-effects-of-memantine\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How to treat <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">side effects<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">memantine<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most of <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">memantine<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&rsquo;s <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">side effects<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are mild, so many can be improved with a few tips.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"drowsiness-dizziness-or-unsteadiness\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Drowsiness<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, dizziness, or unsteadiness<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Get the person seated or lying down if they start feeling or acting like they&rsquo;re dizzy, sleepy, or unsteady on their feet. The goal is to prevent falling, accidents, and injuries. Monitor them carefully and allow them to get up when the dizziness, sleepiness, or other <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">impairment<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> goes away.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"headaches\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Headaches<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Before giving an <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">over-the-counter<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> pain reliever, ask the prescriber if any of these might cause problems. You can use <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/acetaminophen\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">acetaminophen<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/aspirin\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">aspirin<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, or <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/ibuprofen\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ibuprofen<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> with <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">memantine<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, but they may cause problems with other drugs being taken for Alzheimer&rsquo;s such as <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/aricept\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Aricept<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/donepezil-hcl\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">donepezil<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). Usually, rest and drinking fluids will help ease the pain. If headaches are severe or don&rsquo;t go away, get <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">medical advice<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> from the prescriber.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"nausea-and-vomiting\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nausea and vomiting<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Give the person water or other fluids to drink frequently, but don&rsquo;t let them drink too much in one sitting. Just sips. Before giving an <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/drug-classes\/antihistamines\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">antihistamine<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or other anti-nausea drug, ask the prescriber if it&rsquo;s okay to take that drug with other medications being given. If vomiting is severe or prolonged, talk to a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">healthcare professional<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"diarrhea\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Diarrhea<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Make sure the person gets plenty of liquids to prevent dehydration. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/benefits-of-drinking-water\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Water is best<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. If the diarrhea is severe, watery, bloody, or doesn&rsquo;t go away, get medical attention.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"skin-reactions\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Skin reactions<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Memantine<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can cause a potentially life-threatening skin reaction called Stevens-Johnson syndrome. It can start with a rash but can quickly develop into a serious problem. Stop giving any drugs and get immediate medical help if symptoms of a skin reaction are noticed. Bring a list of the drugs being taken and their dosages. Symptoms to watch out for include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Skin rash<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hives<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sores in the mouth<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Skin blisters<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Skin peeling<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Skin pain<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id=\"sources\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sources<\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/online.epocrates.com\/drugs\/356601\/memantine\/Adult-Dosing\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Memantine<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, Epocrates<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pdr.net\/drug-summary\/Namenda-memantine-hydrochloride-2193\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Memantine<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> drug summary<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, Prescriber&rsquo;s Digital Reference<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/dailymed.nlm.nih.gov\/dailymed\/drugInfo.cfm?setid=f2b7538d-8ca1-4ac7-a172-d268e2fa9a52\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Memantine<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> hydrochloride <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">extended-release capsule<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> prescribing information<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, U.S. National Library of Medicine<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/dailymed.nlm.nih.gov\/dailymed\/drugInfo.cfm?setid=af2b73da-1be4-4b7f-929b-acb3b9a10f78\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Memantine<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> tablet prescribing information<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, U.S. National Library of Information<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/dailymed.nlm.nih.gov\/dailymed\/drugInfo.cfm?setid=710f523f-0158-4639-8ce7-57598247d48c\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Namenda<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> prescribing information<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, U.S. National Library of Medicine<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.karger.com\/Article\/Abstract\/64931\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Suicide amongst <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Alzheimer&rsquo;s disease<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> patients: A 10-year survey<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dementia and Geriatric Cognitive Disorders<\/span><\/i><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/alz-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/10.1002\/alz.12390\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Suicide risk in first year after dementia diagnosis in older adults<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Alzheimer&rsquo;s &amp; Dementia<\/span><\/i><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Memantine is a generic prescription drug used to slow the progress of moderate to severe Alzheimer&rsquo;s disease. Also prescribed as brand-name Namenda or Namenda XR, memantine inhibits progressive nerve cell death caused by glutamate, a common and necessary chemical in the brain. Glutamate normally attaches to a protein called NMDA at places where nerves meet, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":54704,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4589],"tags":[12752],"coauthors":[8861],"class_list":["post-54702","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drug-info","tag-medication-side-effects","wpautop"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.4 (Yoast SEO v27.4) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Memantine side effects and how to avoid them<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Suicidal thoughts are a common memantine side effects. 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