Micronase Medication - Uses & Side Effects

Brand name: Namenda

Generic name: memantine

FDA Drug Classification: Orally active NMDA receptor antagonist.

Namenda is thought to selectively block the toxic effects associated with abnormal transmission of glutamate in the neural pathways, while allowing for the physiological transmission associated with normal cell functioning. Namenda may reduce the actions of the chemical glutamate at certain receptors in the brain. Namenda(memantine hydrochloride) is an orally active NMDA receptor antagonist. It is available for oral administration as capsule-shaped, film-coated tablets containing 5 mg and 10 mg of memantine hydrochloride. Memantine is classified as a N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist. It is called a glutaminergic agent. It is believed that too much stimulation of nerve cells by glutamate may be responsible for the degeneration of nerves that occurs in some neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. Since 2002, it has been approved in the rest of the European Union, where it is marketed by Lundbeck as Ebixa.

Namenda Dosage:

• The dosage of Namenda (memantine hydrochloride) shown to be effective in controlled clinical trials is 20 mg/day.
• Namenda is produced by Merz and co., Germany. The recommended dosage starts at 5mg once a day.
• The recommended target dose is 20 mg/day.
• The minimum recommended interval between dose increases is one week.

Uses of Namenda:

• Namenda (memantine hydrochloride) is indicated for the treatment of moderate to severe dementia of the Alzheimer's type.
• It may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
• Namenda may reduce the actions of the chemical glutamate at certain receptors in the brain.

Side Effects of Namenda:

Some common side effects reported with this medicine include:

• Dizziness or fainting.
• Increased blood pressure.
• Difficulty breathing.
• Headache.
• Coughing.
• Swelling of the lips.
• Hallucination.
• Closing of the throat.
• Confusion. 
• Somnolence.
• Constipation.
• Fatigue.
• High blood pressure.
• Hallucinations.
• Vomiting and shortness of breath.

Warnings and precautions before taking Namenda:

• You may not be able to take Namenda or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.
• Tell your health care provider if you have kidney problems.
• Before taking Namenda, tell your doctor if you have: a seizure disorder.
• Tell your health care provider if you have a condition or take other medicines that make your urine alkaline.
• Do not use over-the-counter medications to treat moderate without talking or checking with your doctor.

Drug Interaction:

If you are taking certain drugs with namenda, then other drugs may decreased or increased and altered the effects. So it is important to check with your doctor before combining Namenda with the following drugs such as includes:

• Cough medicine dextromethorphan (found in many prescription and over-the-counter cough and cold products).
• Antiviral medicines amantadine (Symmetrel) or rimantadine (Flumadine).
• Potassium citrate (Urocit K, K-Lyte, Effer-K, others).

Overdose:

• If you are taking namenda and after taking you feel that the overdose is suspected, then contact with your doctor immediately.
• Symptoms of a Namenda overdose may include restlessness, psychosis, hallucinations, drowsiness, and loss of consciousness.
• In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222.
• Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly.

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