Namenda Oral Drops (Memantine)

What is Namenda Oral Drops?

Namenda (memantine) is an orally active NMDA receptor antagonist.

What is Namenda Oral Drops used for?

Namenda is indicated for the treatment of moderate to severe dementia (confusion) caused by Alzheimer’s disease. Although the drug does not cure Alzheimer’s disease, it may improve memory, reasoning, and the brain’s ability to function.

How does Namenda Oral Drops work?

Namenda works by blocking the action of a particular natural substance in the brain, called glutamate.

How to use Namenda Oral Drops

Namenda should be taken in the manner prescribed by the doctor. Taking it for longer periods or in larger amounts than recommended can cause health problems.

Namenda is usually taken once daily, with a full glass of water. It can be taken with or without food. Your doctor will gradually increase the amount and frequency of Namenda dose to lower the risk of side effects.

Measure the dose with the oral syringe that comes with the medication. Swallow the medicine directly from the syringe. Do not mix the medicine with water or any other liquid. Make sure that you rinse the syringe with water after every use.

Adhere to the doctor’s instructions and follow the directions mentioned in the label (sheet) that comes with the medicine (bottle).

Namenda Oral Drops warnings and precautions

Do not take this drug if you are allergic to memantine or to any of the components of Namenda.

Prior to taking the medicine, tell your doctor if you have a liver or kidney disease, epilepsy, cataract(s), a bladder or kidney infection. While using Namenda, avoid performing activities that require alertness (e.g., driving).

Although Namenda is not likely to cause harm to an unborn baby, pregnant women should consult their doctors before starting to take the drug. If you plan to become pregnant, tell your doctor in advance about the use of this drug. It is not known if the drug passes into breast milk and could harm a nursing baby. Therefore, lactating women should not take this drug without consulting their doctors.

What do I do if I have missed a Namenda Oral Drops dose?

If you have missed your Namenda dose you can take the missed dose as soon as you remember but do not take it if it is time for your next (scheduled) dose.

What do I do if I have taken a Namenda Oral Drops overdose?

If you have taken a Namenda overdose you should seek medical help.

Namenda Oral Drops interactions

Before using Namenda, consult your doctor if you take ranitidine (Zantac), cimetidine (Tagamet), nicotine (Commit, Nicoderm, Nicotrol, Habitrol, Nicorette), sodium bicarbonate (Alka-Seltzer, or baking soda antacid home remedy), quinidine (Quinadex, Cardioquin, Quinaglute); cold or cough medicine containing  dextromethorphan; antiviral medicines such as rimantadine (Flumadine), amantadine (Symmetrel); diabetes medicine (taken orally) that contains metformin (such as Fortamet, Actoplus Met, Glucophage, Metaglip, Avanda met, Glucovance); medicine for the treatment of glaucoma, such as dichlorphenamide (Daranide), acetazolamide (Diamox), or methazolamide (MZM, Neptazane, Glauctabs); diuretics (water pill) such as triamterene (Maxzide, Dyrenium, Dyazide) or hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, Hyzaar, Lopressor, HydroDiuril, Vasoretic, Zestoretic).

Namenda Oral Drops side effects

Namenda side effects include hives, fever, chest tightness, breathing trouble, cough, chest pain, fast heart rate, weakness, lack of coordination, confusion, hallucinations, concentration trouble, fainting, pale skin, bleeding, bruising, severe headache, increased blood pressure, decreased amount of urination, blurred vision, swelling, and other allergic reactions. If you get any of these side effects, stop taking the medicine and contact your doctor right away.

Nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, fatigue, loss of appetite, dizziness, weight loss, skin rash, joint pain, anxiety, swelling or redness around the eyes, and insomnia are some less serious side effects from Namenda.