Brand Name

Namenda {Forest Laboratories}

Generic Name

memantine, pronounced meh MAN teen

What is Namenda?

Namenda is a medication used to treat symptoms of moderate and severe dementia caused by Alzheimer’s disease. Namenda is believed to reduce the actions of chemicals in the brain that may contribute to the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.

Namenda may also be used for purposes not described in this medication guide.

Key Facts About Namenda

Namenda may cause your thinking and reaction time to be impaired. Take care to have someone with you when you are driving and first start taking Namenda, until you know how you will react to this medication.

Namenda is in FDA pregnancy category B. Namenda is not known to be harmful to an unborn baby, but you should tell your doctor if you think you may be pregnant or are pregnant. We do not know if Namenda passes into breast milk, so you should not breast-feed if you are taking Namenda.

Before You Take Namenda

If you are allergic to memantine you should not take Namenda.

If you have epilepsy or a seizure disorder you should tell your doctor before taking Namenda.

If you have liver disease, kidney disease or if you have a bladder infection or kidney infection you should tell your doctor.

Be sure that tell your doctor if you have cataracts before taking Namenda.

Namenda Drug Interactions

You should inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following:

• antiviral medications like amantadine (Symmetrel) or rimantadine (Flumadine)
• cimetidine (Tagamet)
• cold or cough medications that contain dextromethorphan
• diabetes medications (oral) which contain metformin (such as Fortamet, Glucophage, Actoplus Met, Avandamet, Metaglip and Glucovance)
• diuretics or water pills like hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, HydroDiuril, Hyzaar, Lopressor,
• Vasoretic, Zestoretic) or triamterene (Dyrenium, Maxzide, Dyazide)
• glaucoma medications like acetazolamide (Diamox), dichlorphenamide (Daranide), or
• methazolamide (Neptazane, MZM, Glauctabs)
• nicotine (Commit, Habitrol, Nicoderm, Nicotrol, Nicorette)
• quinidine (Cardioquin, Quinadex, Quinaglute0
• ranitidine (Zantac)
• sodium bicarbonate (Alka-Seltzer or a baking soda antacid home remedy)

Other drugs you take that are not listed may interact with Namenda. You should tell your doctor about all of the medications you use. This includes prescription drugs, vitamins, supplements and herbal products, and over the counter medications. You should not begin taking a new medication without telling your doctor first.

Directions for Taking Namenda

You should take Namenda exactly your doctor has told you to. It is important that you do not take Namenda in larger or smaller amounts, or for longer or shorter than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label and follow any dose changes carefully if your doctor instructs you to change your dose.

You can take Namenda with or without food.

You should take Namenda with a full glass of water.

Do not break, chew or crush the Namenda tablets.

If you are taking Namenda oral solution you should follow the patient instructions for safe and effective use. If you are not sure about how you should use the oral solution ask your doctor or pharmacist for help. You should not mix the oral solution with any other liquids. Be certain to rinse the empty oral syringe with clean water, allowing it to air dry after every use.

Namenda tablets should be stored at room temperature, and away from both moisture and heat.
You should not store the oral solution bottle with the syringe in it.

If you miss a dose of Namenda you should attempt to take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose, or if your next dose is less than 12 hours away you should skip the dose you missed.

Namenda Side Effects

If you experience any of the following adverse effects you should stop taking Namenda and seek emergency medical help immediately:

• allergic reaction including breathing difficulties, hives and swelling of your face, lips, throat or tongue
• blood pressure increase, symptoms include a severe headache, blurry vision, trouble concentrating, chest pain seizures and numbness
• chest pain and tightness
• confusion or hallucinations
• convulsions or seizures
• coordination issues
• faint feeling
• numbness or weakness which is sudden, especially on one side of the body
• pale skin, along with easy brusing and bleeding and weakness
• urinating less than usual or not at all;

Less serious side effects may include:

• appetite loss
• constipation
• diarrhea
• dizziness
• easy bleeding and bruising
• exhaustion
• fast heart rate
• joint pain
• nausea
• swelling in hands and feet
• vomiting
• weight loss

It should be noted that this is not a complete list of possible side effects of Namenda. You should contact your physician for a complete list and medical advice regarding these effects.

Namenda Description and Dosing

Namenda is available in a 5 mg tablet and a 10 mg tablet dose. The 5 mg tablet is
capsule-shaped, film-coated tablets and a tan color. The strength (5) is debossed on one side and FL is on the other side.

The 10 mg tablet is 10 mg capsule-shaped, film-coated tablets and gray colored. The strength (10) is debossed on one side and FL is on the other side.

There is a Titration Pak available in a PVC/Aluminum Blister package.

The oral solution of Namenda has the same dosage recommendations as the for the tablets. The oral solution is clear, alcohol-free, sugar-free, and peppermint flavored. The solution is available in a 2 mg/mL Oral Solution (10 mg = 5 mL).

The dosage of Namenda in patients studied has been shown to be effective at 20 mg/day. However, dosing of Namenda is individualized. Your doctor will tell you what the appropriate dose of Namenda is for you. Do not attempt to alter or change your dose without your physician’s consent.

If you suspect that you have overdosed with Namenda you should seek emergency help immediately.

Ingredients in Namenda

The main ingredient in Namenda is memantine hydrochloride. Inactive ingredients in the Namenda tablets include microcrystalline cellulose/colloidal silicon dioxide, talc, croscarmellose sodium, and magnesium stearate. In addition the following inactive ingredients are also present as components of the film coating: hypromellose, titanium dioxide, polyethylene glycol 400, FD&C yellow #6 and FD&C blue #2 (5 mg tablets), and hypromellose, titanium dioxide, macrogol/polyethylene glycol 400 and iron oxide black (10 mg tablets).

The oral solution of Namenda also contains the following inactive ingredients: sorbitol solution (70%), methyl paraben, propylparaben, propylene glycol, glycerin, natural peppermint flavor #104, citric acid, sodium citrate, and purified water

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The information contained in this drug guide is intended as an educational resource only. This guide is not exhaustive and does not contain all available information about this drug.This guide is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment.

The information provided in this guide does not replace the need for the advice and services of medical professionals or the need for medical examination. Always talk to your physician or pharmacist before taking any prescription medication or over the counter drugs (including any supplements) or before making any changes to your treatment. Only your doctor, nurse or pharmacist can provide you with safe and effective advice regarding your drug treatment.

The use of the information in this guide is at your sole risk. This information is provided "AS IS" with no warranties to accuracy or timeliness.

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