Memantine Pharmacology

Memantine

About Memantine

N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptor Antagonist, dopamine D2 agonist, Antidementia agent,In Alzheimer`s disease.

Mechanism of Action of Memantine

Memantine in an uncompetitive (low to moderate affinity to) NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) receptor antagonist. It regulates the activity of glutamate which is involved in information processing, storage and retrieval. Excess glutamate plays a role in neuronal cell death and it is common to all neurodegenerative diseases.
In Alzheimer`s disease excess release of glutamate occurs. Sustained elevation of glutamate over stimulates NMDA receptors and allows too much of calcium in to nerve cells and leads to cell degeneration and cell death. Memantine prevents these actions by inhibiting the binding of glutamate at NMDA receptor.

Pharmacokinets of Memantine

Absorption: Memantine is rapidly absorbed after oral administration. Distribution: It is very widely distributed in the body in protein bound and free form. Metabolism: It undergoes partial hepatic metabolism. Excreted: Drug is excreted in urine.

Onset of Action for Memantine

N/A

Duration of Action for Memantine

N/A

Half Life of Memantine

60 - 80 hours

Side Effects of Memantine

1.Dizziness
2.Headache
3.Confusion
4.Constipation
5.Vomiting
6.Fatigue
7.Pain
8.Hypertension
9.Somnolence
10.Hallucination
11.Coughing
12.Dyspepsia

Contra-indications of Memantine

1.Hypersensitivity to Memantine.

Special Precautions while taking Memantine

1.Severe renal impairment
2.People with seizure disorders

Pregnancy Related Information

Contraindicated

Old Age Related Information

Use with caution

Breast Feeding Related Information

Use with caution

Children Related Information

Contraindicated
NEONATES: contraindicated

Indications for Memantine

1. Dementia of Alzheimer`s type.

Interactions for Memantine

Medicines that make the urine more alkaline (for example, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors such as acetazolamide (Diamox) and sodium bicarbonate would be expected to reduce the elimination of memantine by the kidneys and might increase the blood levels and the risk of side effects of memantine.

Typical Dosage for Memantine

Adult: 5 mg once daily; dose can be gradually increased by 5 mg / day every week up to 20 mg / day in 2 divided doses

Schedule of Memantine

N/A

Storage Requirements for Memantine

Store at 15 - 30 degree C in a tightly closed container. Keep out of the reach of children.

Effects of Missed Dosage of Memantine

Take the missed dose as soon as noticed and if it is the time for next dose then skip the missed dose. Continue the regular schedule. Do not double the dose.

Effects of Overdose of Memantine

Give supportive measures and symptomatic treatment.

Home Delivery for Memantine in Your City

Medicine India is just a publishing medium for medicine related information and does not provide services or sales of medicines including memantine.

However, we do publish a comprehensive directory of Pharmacies, Chemists and Druggists in cities all over India. You can use this directory to find the medicine stores in your city (or area) that provide home delivery services for memantine and other medicines and health products. Home delivery services for memantine may be free or they may cost you depending on the pharmacy and the minimum order requirements. It would be best to get this clarified while placing the order.

Please be aware that you should take memantine only if a doctor has recommended or prescribed it. Some or all pharmacies who provide a home delivery service for medicines might insist on a prescription for memantine before they complete the sale. You can get this information while placing the order for memantine with the pharmacy.

Memantine is a generic medicine name and there are several brands available for it. Some of the brands for memantine might be better known than memantine itself. If the pharmacy that's willing to deliver medicines to your home doesn't have memantine in stock, you can ask for one of the branded alternatives for memantine.