Memantine

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For memantine, the following should be considered:

Allergies—Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to memantine. Also tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy—Memantine has not been studied in pregnant women. However, memantine has not been shown to cause birth defects or other problems in animal studies.

Breast-feeding—It is not known whether memantine passes into breast milk. Although most medicines pass into breast milk in small amounts, many of them may be used safely when breast feeding. Mothers who are taking this medicine and who wish to breast feed should discuss it with their doctor.

Children—Studies on this medicine have only been done in adult patients, and there is no specific information comparing the use of memantine in children with use in other age groups. This medicine is generally not used in children.

Older adults—This medicine has been studied in older adults and has not been shown to cause different side effects or problems in older people than it does in younger adults.

Other medical problems—The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of memantine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Kidney disease—patients with severe kidney disease should not use memantine, patients with mild or moderate kidney disease may need to take a smaller amount of memantine.

• Difficult urination
• Urinary tract problems
• Urinary tract blockage—memantine may make these conditions worse

• Epilepsy or history of seizures—memantine may make this medical condition worse

Dosing—

The dose of memantine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of memantine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The number of tablets that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day and the time allowed between doses will be determined by your doctor.

• For oral
  • For treatment of Alzheimer's disease
    • Adults—To start, take 5 mg (milligrams) once a day. Your doctor may increase your dose gradually up to 10 mg (milligrams) twice a day.
    • Children—This medicine is not used in children

Missed dose—

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage—

To store this medicine:

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Do not store in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down.
• Keep the medicine from freezing. Do not refrigerate.
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Ask your health care professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.

It is very important that your healthcare professional check your progress at regular visits to make sure that this medicine is working properly and to check for unwanted effects.

Side Effects of This Medicine

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

• Less common
  • Bloating or swelling of face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet ;  blurred vision;  dizziness ;  headache;  nervousness ;  pounding in the ears;  rapid weight gain;  slow or fast heartbeat;  tingling of hands or feet;  unusual weight gain or loss 
  
  

Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. However, check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome.

• More common
  • Confusion 
  
  

• Less common
  • Anxiety;  back pain;  bladder pain;  bloody or cloudy urine;  change in walking and balance;  chills ;  clumsiness or unsteadiness;  cough producing mucus;  coughing;  difficult, burning, or painful urination;  difficulty breathing;  difficulty moving;  difficulty having a bowel movement (stool);  diarrhea ;  discouragement;  dry mouth ;  fear;  feeling sad or empty ;  fever;  frequent urge to urinate;  general feeling of discomfort or illness ;  hyperventilation;  insomnia ;  irregular heartbeats;  irritability;  joint pain;  loss of appetite;  loss of bladder control;  loss of interest or pleasure;  lower back or side pain;  muscle pain or stiffness;  nausea;  nervousness;  pain;  pain in joints;  restlessness ;  seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there;  shortness of breath;  sleepiness or unusual drowsiness;  sore throat;  tightness in chest;  tiredness;  trouble concentrating;  trouble sleeping ;  unusual tiredness or weakness;  vomiting;  wheezing 
  
  

Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.

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