Side effects, drug interaction precautions, usage and benefits, together with information regarding buying discount drugs online from Mexico.

Memantine (Ebixa) Consumer Information

MEMANTINE

Generic Name: memantine (meh MAN teen)

Brand Names: Ebixa, Namenda

What is the most important information I should know about memantine?

• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Memantine may cause drowsiness, dizziness, or fainting. If you experience drowsiness, dizziness, or fainting, avoid these activities.

What is memantine?

• Memantine may reduce the actions of the chemical glutamate at certain receptors in the brain. Increased activity of glutamate at this receptor has been associated with symptoms of Alzheimer's disease.
• Memantine is used in the treatment of moderate to severe dementia associated with Alzheimer's disease.
• Memantine may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking memantine?

• Before taking memantine, tell your doctor if you have:
• a seizure disorder;
• kidney disease; or
• liver disease.
• You may not be able to take memantine or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.
• Memantine is in the FDA pregnancy category B. This means that it is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not take memantine without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.
• It is not known whether memantine passes into breast milk. Do not take memantine without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take memantine?

• Take memantine exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
• Memantine dosages of 5 mg per day should be taken once a day, as a single dose. Doses larger than 5 mg per day should be divided into two doses, approximately 12 hours apart. Follow your doctor's instructions.
• Take each dose with a full glass of water.
• Memantine can be taken with or without food.
• Increases in dosage should be done slowly, with at least one week between each increased dose. Follow your doctor's instructions.
• It is important to take memantine regularly to get the most benefit.
• Your doctor may want you to have blood tests or other medical evaluations during treatment with memantine to monitor progress and side effects.
• Store memantine at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

• Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next regularly scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take a double dose of memantine unless otherwise directed by your doctor.

What happens if I overdose?

• Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is suspected.
• Symptoms of a memantine overdose may include restlessness, psychosis, hallucinations, drowsiness, and loss of consciousness.

What should I avoid while taking memantine?

• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Memantine may cause drowsiness, dizziness, or fainting. If you experience drowsiness, dizziness, or fainting, avoid these activities.

What are the possible side effects of memantine?

• Stop taking memantine and seek emergency medical attention if you experience an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives).
• Other, less serious side effects may also occur. Continue to take memantine and talk to your doctor if you experience
• drowsiness;
• dizziness or fainting;
• increased blood pressure;
• headache;
• constipation;
• nausea or vomiting;
• confusion or hallucinations; or
• coughing.
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect memantine?

• Before taking memantine, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:
• the antiviral medicines amantadine (Symmetrel) or rimantadine (Flumadine);
• the cough medicine dextromethorphan (found in many prescription and over-the-counter cough and cold products);
• a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor such as acetazolamide (Diamox), dichlorphenamide (Daranide), or methazolamide (Neptazane, MZM, Glauctabs); or
• potassium citrate (Urocit K, K-Lyte, Effer-K, others).
• You may not be able to use memantine, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during your treatment if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.
• Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with memantine. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist has more information about memantine written for health professionals that you may read.
• Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Limitations of This Information

Efforts have been made to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. This information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. This is an educational resource only intended to supplement but not to replace the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, please check with your doctor, nurse or local pharmacist. This site does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided here.

Full public license and copyright information is available separately from Cerner Multum, Inc.

Version: 2.01. Revision date: 12/11/03.