Memantine (Cont.)

Memantine: What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider?

You should talk with your healthcare provider prior to taking memantine if you have:
 
  • Epilepsy or seizures
  • A severe urinary tract infection (UTI)
  • Renal tubular acidosis, a kidney disorder
  • Any other type of kidney disease, including kidney failure (renal failure)
  • Liver disease, including liver failure, cirrhosis, or hepatitis
  • Any allergies, including allergies to food, dyes, or preservatives.
     
Also, let your healthcare provider know if you are:
 
Make sure to tell your healthcare provider about all medicines you are taking, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
 
(Click Precautions and Warnings With Memantine to learn more, including information on who should not take the drug.)
 

How Does Memantine Work?

Memantine is classified as an NMDA receptor antagonist. "NMDA" stands for N-methyl-D-asparate. It is thought that some of the symptoms of Alzheimer's may be related to changes in NMDA receptors that allow for abnormal, excessive excitation of the receptors by glutamate (a neurotransmitter brain chemical). Memantine works by binding to the NMDA receptor and preventing excessive excitation by glutamate. Currently, no other Alzheimer's medications work like memantine.
 
(Memantine Continued: Page 3)

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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;