Question 1

my mom has dementia. she is on celexa, aricept, namenda (memantine) and risperdal. she takes low to normal doses. she has gained 70 lbs in 18 months and feels tired all the time. is it expected? suggestions?

Accepted Answer

Physical activity: Physical exercise regimen shown to be beneficial in patients with mild to moderate dementia. Will help with weight control also.

Question 2

i take namenda (memantine) 10mg once a day but have not noticed an improvement, just noticed that it has gotten worse. it has been a month, when does it kick in?

Accepted Answer

Up to 3 months: Namenda (memantine) can take UP to 12 weeks to take effect. However, I would provide feedback to the prescriber to keep the information loop updated.

Question 3

i was prescribed memantine for headaches.  i took 5mg at night for 4 days and had a headache the entire time.  on the 5th day the headaches stopped, but i became nauseous and woozy and have felt this way for 4 days.  is this normal?

Accepted Answer

Memantine: Nausea can occur in 1% to 10%.  Dizziness, headache, somnolence, balance disorders, abnormal gait, syncope, may also occur in 1% to 10%.  REF:  https://www.drugs.com/sfx/memantine-side-effects.html

Question 4

who should not take namenda (memantine)?

Accepted Answer

No Namenda (memantine): Ones with hypersensitivity to Namenda, (memantine) Liver problem, Serious kidney problems.

Question 5

can pregnant women take namenda (memantine)?

Accepted Answer

Unusual: Since Namenda (memantine) is a treatment for dementia, I don't think it would be prescribed for someone who is pregnant.

Question 6

is it safe to take namenda (memantine) while pregnant or breastfeeding?

Accepted Answer

Possible: Cat b, no animal studies to show risk or not enough information.  How often will an alzeheimer rx be used in preg or nursing?  I'm sure case reports are nonexistant.

Question 7

i stopped taking namenda (memantine) a few days ago because of confusion problems, how long do the effects last after stopping? i now take donepezil 5mg

Accepted Answer

Good change, I hope: The half-life of Namenda (memantine) is no more than 80 hrs. This should mean that it will be unlikely to still have and effects in a week to 10 days. But your doctor or a pharmacist may explain it better. The new drug should not have that side effect, but watch it and discuss risks w/ the doctor too. Best wishes for good results!

Question 8

my mom just prescribed namenda (memantine) for the 1st time for her dementia, the confusion and forgetfulness began about  3-4 months ago..will this help?

Accepted Answer

For a while: Namenda (memantine) and other medications can help early in the course of the disease. Unfortunately they do not work long term. Most forms of dementia are progressive and after a while the medications just stop working. I hope she has a good response.

Question 9

i was prescribed zoloft and clonazepan by my psychiatrist and namenda (memantine) by my general doctor.  are they safe to take ?

Accepted Answer

Medication safety: It sounds like your psychiatrist is treating you for depression and anxiety and your general doctor has prescribed medication for cognitive impairment. These meds are safe to take at the proper dose and schedule. There are no significant interactions between Namenda (memantine) and your other two psychotropic medications.

Question 10

alzil m 5 ( donepezil 5mg + memantine 5mg) does have any side effect? can a 75 yrs old who is dignosed with moderate diffuse brain atrophy take this?

Accepted Answer

Yes-at bedtime: Each drug has separate mechanism of action- complement each other . Add gingko biloba as an herb 120mg. Twice daily as well. Side effects of the drugs are many -just read thru them. Ok as long as you have good urine flow.

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Doctor answers about:

Time of day to take memantine

A member asked:

My mom has dementia. she is on celexa, aricept, namenda (memantine) and risperdal. she takes low to normal doses. she has gained 70 lbs in 18 months and feels tired all the time. is it expected? suggestions?

A member asked:

I take namenda (memantine) 10mg once a day but have not noticed an improvement, just noticed that it has gotten worse. it has been a month, when does it kick in?

A member asked:

I was prescribed memantine for headaches. i took 5mg at night for 4 days and had a headache the entire time. on the 5th day the headaches stopped, but i became nauseous and woozy and have felt this way for 4 days. is this normal?

A member asked:

Who should not take namenda (memantine)?

A member asked:

Can pregnant women take namenda (memantine)?

A member asked:

Is it safe to take namenda (memantine) while pregnant or breastfeeding?

A member asked:

I stopped taking namenda (memantine) a few days ago because of confusion problems, how long do the effects last after stopping? i now take donepezil 5mg

A member asked:

My mom just prescribed namenda (memantine) for the 1st time for her dementia, the confusion and forgetfulness began about 3-4 months ago..will this help?

A member asked:

I was prescribed zoloft and clonazepan by my psychiatrist and namenda (memantine) by my general doctor. are they safe to take ?

A member asked:

Alzil m 5 ( donepezil 5mg + memantine 5mg) does have any side effect? can a 75 yrs old who is dignosed with moderate diffuse brain atrophy take this?

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