Memantine Hydrochloride
Pronunciation: (meh-MAN-teen).
- Generic name
- Memantine hydrochloride
- Brand names
- Memantine Intas, Maruxa, Memantine Accord, Namenda XR, Memantine Sandoz, Namenda
- Drug class
- N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist
Availability and supply rules vary by country
Trade names by country: Canada
Australia: · Full directory
What Memantine hydrochloride is and how it works
Uses, formulations, monitoring, and supply rules can differ by patient, product, and country. Follow the exact local product information and professional advice.
Mechanism of action: how Memantine hydrochloride works
Memantine is an uncompetitive antagonist of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor, a subtype of glutamate receptor in the central nervous system. By blocking excessive activation of NMDA receptors by glutamate, memantine helps prevent excitotoxicity, which is thought to contribute to neuronal damage in Alzheimer's disease. (1)
What Memantine hydrochloride is used for
Moderate to severe dementia of the Alzheimer's type
This is the specific FDA-approved indication. Memantine is not approved for other, non-Alzheimer's forms of dementia; any such use would be a clinician-directed off-label decision. (2)
Before taking Memantine hydrochloride
Do not take / not appropriate for
- Contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity to memantine or any excipients. (Contraindication) (2)
Tell your clinician about
(2)How to take Memantine hydrochloride
- General Instructions: Take memantine exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take more or less than directed.. Adult Dosing: The usual starting dose is 5 mg once daily, gradually increased to a target dose of 20 mg per day (10 mg twice daily) for immediate-release, or 28 mg once daily for extended-release formulations.. Pediatric Dosing: Memantine is not routinely recommended for children; dosing in pediatric populations should be determined by a specialist if used off-label.. Administration: Take with or without food. Swallow tablets and capsules whole; do not crush or chew. The oral solution should be measured with a dosing syringe or cup.. When To Stop: Do not stop taking memantine suddenly without consulting your doctor, as symptoms may worsen.. Storage: Store at room temperature, away from moisture and heat. Keep out of reach of children.
- This page does not provide a dose calculator. Dosing must follow the prescriber, pharmacist, or product label.
Procedures and treatment changes
Tell the treating team before surgery, procedures, or any medicine change. Do not alter treatment without the responsible clinician. (2)
Missed dose
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your regular schedule. Do not take an extra dose to catch up.
Overdose
In case of overdose, seek emergency medical attention or call your local poison control center immediately. Symptoms may include restlessness, confusion, hallucinations, loss of consciousness, or seizures. (2)
Side effects
Side effects and their urgency vary; report severe, persistent, or concerning symptoms to a healthcare professional.
Dizziness
Incidence: Common (>=5%, exceeding placebo rate) in FDA clinical trials
Headache
Incidence: Common (>=5%, exceeding placebo rate) in FDA clinical trials
Confusion
Incidence: Common (>=5%, exceeding placebo rate) in FDA clinical trials
Constipation
Incidence: Common (>=5%, exceeding placebo rate) in FDA clinical trials
Fatigue
Incidence: Reported in >=2% of patients in FDA clinical trials
Pain
Incidence: Reported in >=2% of patients in FDA clinical trials
Elevated blood pressure
Incidence: Reported in >=2% of patients in FDA clinical trials
Vomiting
Incidence: Reported in >=2% of patients in FDA clinical trials
Back pain
Incidence: Reported in >=2% of patients in FDA clinical trials
Somnolence (drowsiness)
Incidence: Reported in >=2% of patients in FDA clinical trials
Hallucinations
Incidence: Reported in >=2% of patients in FDA clinical trials
Coughing
Incidence: Reported in >=2% of patients in FDA clinical trials
Shortness of breath (dyspnea)
Incidence: Reported in >=2% of patients in FDA clinical trials
Serious warnings
Use caution in patients with severe renal impairment — serious
Symptoms: Use caution in patients with severe renal impairment; dose adjustment is required. May increase risk of seizures in susceptible individuals. Monitor for worsening confusion or agitation. May cause dizziness or drowsiness; caution with activities requiring alertness. Not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding unless clearly needed.
Action: Follow the urgency stated and seek prompt or emergency care when indicated. (2)
Contraindications recorded in the clinician database — serious
Symptoms: Contraindications recorded in the clinician database: Contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity to memantine or any excipients. Use caution in patients with severe renal impairment, seizure disorders, or hepatic impairment. Monitor for worsening cognitive or psychiatric symptoms.
Action: Follow the urgency stated and seek prompt or emergency care when indicated. (2)
Interactions
| Medicine or test | Effect | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Recorded interactions | Memantine may interact with other medications, including amantadine, ketamine, dextromethorphan, and certain diuretics. These interactions can increase the risk of side effects or affect how memantine works. Always inform your healthcare provider of all medicines and supplements you are taking. | (1) |
| Other NMDA-receptor-active drugs (amantadine, ketamine, dextromethorphan) | Combining memantine with these has not been studied systematically and should be approached with caution, since additive nervous-system effects are possible. Tell your prescriber about all medications you take, including cough/cold products containing dextromethorphan. | (2) |
| Drugs/conditions that make urine more alkaline (e.g., carbonic anhydrase inhibitors such as acetazolamide, sodium bicarbonate, some severe urinary tract infections) | These can reduce how quickly memantine is cleared from the body, raising blood levels and the risk of side effects. Tell your prescriber if you take one of these or have a condition that affects urine pH. | (2) |
Pregnancy, breastfeeding, kidney/liver function, age
Pregnancy
There are no adequate, well-controlled human studies of memantine in pregnancy. Animal studies showed reduced fetal bone (skeletal) formation at doses about 3 times the maximum recommended human dose. Memantine should be used during pregnancy only if the prescriber judges it is clearly needed, after discussing the risks and benefits. (2)
Breastfeeding
It is not known whether memantine passes into human breast milk. Discuss the risks and benefits of breastfeeding while taking memantine with your healthcare provider. (2)
Children
Frequency: Not applicable. Weight Based: Not recommended for pediatric use. Max Daily Dose: Not applicable. Max Single Dose: Not applicable. Age Restrictions: Safety not established in children (2)
Renal_impairment
Renal impairment: no dose adjustment needed for mild-to-moderate impairment; for severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance 5-29 mL/min), the target dose is reduced to 5 mg twice daily. Hepatic impairment: no adjustment needed for mild-to-moderate impairment; use with caution in severe hepatic impairment, since memantine has not been adequately studied in this group. (2)
Hepatic_impairment
Renal impairment: no dose adjustment needed for mild-to-moderate impairment; for severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance 5-29 mL/min), the target dose is reduced to 5 mg twice daily. Hepatic impairment: no adjustment needed for mild-to-moderate impairment; use with caution in severe hepatic impairment, since memantine has not been adequately studied in this group. (2)
Monitoring
(2)Storage
Store memantine at controlled room temperature, 25C (77F), with brief excursions to 15-30C (59-86F) permitted, away from moisture and heat, and out of reach of children.
Study the drug class: Dementia agents
Professional information
Clinician-facing context only. This section does not replace current product labeling.
General
Indication: Moderate to severe dementia of the Alzheimer's type
Dose summary: Initial dose of 5 mg once daily, titrated in 5 mg increments (minimum 1-week interval between increases) to a target dose of 20 mg per day (10 mg twice daily) for immediate-release, or 28 mg once daily for extended-release.
Renal context: No dose adjustment needed for mild-to-moderate renal impairment. For severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance 5-29 mL/min), the target dose is reduced to 5 mg twice daily. (1) (2)
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take for memantine to work?
Some patients may notice improvement in symptoms within a few weeks, but full effects may take several months. Response varies between individuals.
Can memantine be used with donepezil or other Alzheimer's medications?
Yes, memantine is often used in combination with cholinesterase inhibitors like donepezil for moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease.
Is memantine addictive or habit-forming?
No, memantine is not considered addictive or habit-forming.
Can memantine be stopped abruptly?
It is not recommended to stop memantine suddenly without consulting your doctor, as symptoms may worsen.
What should I do if I experience severe side effects?
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience serious symptoms such as seizures, severe confusion, or signs of an allergic reaction.
Is memantine safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding?
Memantine should only be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding if clearly needed and prescribed by your doctor.
Does memantine cure Alzheimer's disease?
No, memantine does not cure Alzheimer's disease. It may help slow symptom progression and improve quality of life.
What happens if I take too much Memantine?
Taking too much Memantine can lead to severe symptoms such as hallucinations, seizures, and coma. If an overdose is suspected, it is crucial to seek immediate emergency medical attention. Do not attempt to induce vomiting or self-treat. Prompt professional intervention is necessary to manage potential life-threatening complications and ensure patient safety.
Can I drink alcohol while taking Memantine?
It is generally advised to avoid or limit alcohol consumption while taking Memantine. Both Memantine and alcohol can affect the central nervous system, and combining them may increase the risk of side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, and impaired coordination. This interaction can exacerbate cognitive impairment and reduce the drug's effectiveness, making it important to consult your healthcare provider.
Is Memantine safe during pregnancy?
There are no adequate, well-controlled human studies of memantine in pregnancy; animal studies showed reduced fetal skeletal formation at about 3 times the maximum recommended human dose. It is essential to consult your healthcare provider if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. They can assess the potential risks and benefits to make an informed decision regarding your treatment.
What is the mechanism of action of Memantine hydrochloride?
Memantine is an uncompetitive antagonist of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor, a subtype of glutamate receptor in the central nervous system. By blocking excessive activation of NMDA receptors by glutamate, memantine helps prevent excitotoxicity, which is thought to contribute to neuronal damage in Alzheimer's disease. (1)
What is the generic name of Memantine Hydrochloride?
The generic name is Memantine hydrochloride. It is sold under brand names including Memantine Intas, Maruxa, Memantine Accord, Namenda XR, Memantine Sandoz, Namenda.
What class of drug is Memantine hydrochloride?
Memantine Hydrochloride is classed as: N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist.
References
- Memantine — MedGuideGlobal medicine recordMedGuideGlobal clinician-authored medicine record (internal database) · Not applicable / database-level entry · accessed 2026-08-06 · source 1
- NAMENDA (memantine hydrochloride) tablets, for oral use — Full Prescribing InformationU.S. Food and Drug Administration, DailyMed · United States · accessed 2026-08-06 · source 2
- MEMANTINE HYDROCHLORIDE TABLET [REMEDYREPACK INC.] — US prescribing information (DailyMed SPL)U.S. National Library of Medicine (DailyMed) · US · accessed 2026-08-14 · source 3
- Memantine — patient drug information (MedlinePlus)U.S. National Library of Medicine (MedlinePlus) · US · accessed 2026-08-14 · source 4
- Memantine hydrochloride — FDA approval record (Drugs@FDA ANDA090041)U.S. Food and Drug Administration · US · accessed 2026-08-14 · source 5
- Memantine — RxNorm normalized drug concept (RXCUI 236685)U.S. National Library of Medicine (RxNorm) · US · accessed 2026-08-14 · source 6
Brand names by country
Single-ingredient Memantine hydrochloride names are shown separately by country. Product availability, strengths, and supply rules can change; combination products are not included here.
Priority countries
Canada
- EBIXA
- MED-MEMANTINE
- SANDOZ MEMANTINE FCT