yes, therapy helps!
Memantine: uses and side effects of this drug

Memantine: uses and side effects of this drug

March 13, 2024

Memantine is a drug that belongs to the group of NMDA receptor antagonists . As such, it is used to treat the manifestations of Alzheimer's disease, both moderate and severe, although it is also used to treat different types of chronic pain.

Next we will see in more detail what is and what is the use of memantine, as well as its indications and some of its main adverse effects.

  • Related article: "Types of psychotropic drugs: uses and side effects"

What is memantine?

Memantine is a drug used to treat memory loss. Is about a drug especially used in Alzheimer's symptoms . The latter is a neurodegenerative disorder related to different alterations in the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors, which are located in the cells of the posterior horn of the spinal medical and are responsible for regulating the transmission of electrical signals in the brain .


The activity of said receptors is fundamental in cognitive processes such as memory and learning , as well as in neural plasticity and some pain states. Therefore, an altered activity of these receptors, especially when it is due to the presence of high levels of toxicity, is related to diseases such as Alzheimer's.

What is the use of this drug?

Memantine serves precisely as an NMDA receptor antagonist . This means that it blocks or stops the oxidative stress associated with the increase of a molecule called "amyloid peptide B", which is the mechanism associated with the loss of cognitive functions.


In other words, although memantine does not have the capacity to definitively reverse neurodegenerative diseases, it does have neuroprotective and potentiating functions of different cognitive functions. This is because it protects the cerebral connections of toxic levels of calcium, which in turn allows signals to be transmitted regularly between neurons.

In addition, memantine is not only used in Alzheimer's manifestations but also can relieve some neuropathic, psychosomatic pains and chronic pain , some types of neuralgia and trauma, spinal cord injuries, among others.

  • Maybe you're interested: "Alzheimer's: causes, symptoms, treatment and prevention"

Administration and recommended dose

Memantine is administered orally. It is marketed in presentation of tablets whose intake may be accompanied by food, but not necessarily. The tablets are coated with a film, and contains 10 mg of active ingredient, which is memantine hydrochloride (equivalent to 8.31 mg of memantine).


Other chemical components found in this medicine are microcrystalline cellulose, magnesium stearate, croscarmellose sodium and anhydrous colloidal silica . Also, the film covering the tablet is made of polyvinyl alcohol, titanium dioxide, talcum, macrogol 3350 and yellow iron oxide.

As with other medications, the general recommendation is to take it at the same time daily. In addition, it is usually taken in a small initial dose, which increases gradually over the course of the weeks.

The first week is recommended to take half a tablet of 10 mg. up to date. From the second week it is recommended to double the dose until reaching two tablets of 10 mg. in the fourth week. This first dose is maintained throughout the treatment.

The above are general indications that may vary according to the recommendation of the specialist, given that It is always the medical staff that must indicate how to take this drug after a personalized consultation.

Contraindications

It is necessary to take precautions in case of history of epileptic seizures and in case of having suffered a myocardial attack recently .

Also in the case of having heart disease or uncontrolled hypertension, in renal failure and in case of taking other drugs with NMDA receptor antagonist properties. The latter are those used for the treatment of Parkinson's, such as amantadine; ketamine, which is used as an anesthetic, or dextromethorphan, used for cough.

In the same sense it is necessary to take precautions before the radical change of diet, for example from carnivorous to vegetarian, and it is important avoid taking during pregnancy and breastfeeding .

Adverse effects

The adverse effects of memantine are usually divided according to whether they are frequent, infrequent or if they occur in very specific cases. Each of these divisions also corresponds to the level of severity of the effects.

1. Frequent effects

They usually occur in 1 to 10 people in 100, and include symptoms such as headaches, impaired functioning of the liver, constipation, disturbance of balance, vertigo , shortness of breath, hypertension and hypersensitivity to the medicine.

2. Uncommon effects

They occur in 1 to 10 of every 1000 people and are manifestations such as tiredness, hallucinations, vomiting, high probability of fungal infections and coagulation in the venous system (that is, development of thrombosis), heart failure and impaired gait.

3. Very rare effects

Less than 1 person in 10,000 may have seizures. In addition, taking this medication during Alzheimer's treatment has been linked to pancreatic inflammation, development of hepatitis, psychotic reactions, depression and suicidal ideation and / or suicide.

However, the relationship between memantine and these latter adverse effects has not been sufficiently investigated, so the information about its possible implication is uncertain.

Bibliographic references:

  • AEMPS. (2013). Prospectus: information for the user. Memantine Tarbis 10 mg film-coated tablets EFG. Retrieved October 11, 2018. Available at //cima.aemps.es/cima/dochtml/p/78230/P_78230.html.
  • Neira, F. and Ortega, J.L. (2004). Antagonists of glutamatergic NMDA receptors in the treatment of chronic pain. Journal of the Spanish Society of Pain, 11 (4): 2010-222.
  • Tanovic, A. and Alfaro, V. (2006). Neuroprotection with memantine (non-competitive NMDA-glutamate receptor antagonist) against the excitotoxicity associated with glutamate in Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia. Journal of Neurology, 42 (10): 607-616.

Memantine - Could This Pharmaceutical Drug Be Too Risky? (March 2024).


Similar Articles