Namenda [Memantine HCL] is used to treat moderate to severe dementia in patients suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.

Namenda [Memantine HCL] should be used only when specifically prescribed by the doctor. Generally, the starting dose of this medication is 5 mg a day. It gradually increases to 20 mg a day. The dosage should be increased in 5 mg increments. Increase in dosage should be done only once every week. This medication can be administered with or without food. Caregivers, family members and the patients themselves should be asked to read all instructions on the medicine label in order to administer it properly. Doses are not to be missed. In case of missed dose, it should be taken as early as possible.

Namenda [Memantine HCL] may cause side effects is some patients. In case symptoms such as tiredness, dizziness, headache, body aches and constipation occur, and if they do not go away by themselves, the doctor should be notified as early as possible.
Though very serious side effects of this medication are very rare, allergic reactions can be very dangerous if not addressed quickly. In case symptoms such as rash, itching, severe dizziness, swelling and shortness of breath do occur, it should be treated as medical emergency.

Namenda [Memantine HCL] may lead adverse drug interactions if taken simultaneously with certain other medications. Caution should be exercised in case of the following medications:

 cimetidine (Tagamet)
 ranitidine (Zantac)
 sodium bicarbonate (baking soda, Alka-Seltzer)
 cough and cold medicine containing dextromethorphan
 glaucoma medications such as dichlorphenamide (Daranide)
 acetazolamide (Diamox), methazolamide (MZM, Glauctabs, Neptazane)
 nicotine (Commit, Nicoderm, Nicotrol, Habitrol, Nicorette)
 quinidine (Cardioquin, Quinaglute, Quinadex)
 antiviral medication such as rimantadine (Flumadine) and amantadine (Symmetrel)
 diuretics such as triamterene (Dyrenium, Dyazide, Maxzide) and hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, Hyzaar, Vasoretic, HydroDiuril, Vasoretic)
 oral diabetes medication containing metformin (Fortamet, Actoplus Met, Metaglip, Glucophage, Avanda met, Glucovance).

Namenda [Memantine HCL] is used to treat moderate to severe dementia in patients of Alzheimer’s disease. Dementia is a condition that causes confusion in the patient’s mind. This medication does not cure Alzheimer’s, rather it improves memory and the ability and awareness required to perform various daily functions. This medication is known to block the action of a chemical substance in the brain that causes dementia.

Namenda [Memantine HCL] should be stored at room temperature. It should be kept away from heat, sunlight and moisture. It should not be stored in the bathroom cabinet or near a sink. This medication should be kept out of reach of children.

Caution should be exercised in administering Namenda [Memantine HCL] on mothers who are breastfeeding their baby though it is not known whether this medication is excreted through breast milk.
In the same way, caution should be exercised in administering this medication on pregnant women though no studies have been made that prove conclusively that it could be harmful to the fetus.
Namenda [Memantine HCL] is not recommended to be used in children below the age of 13 years.