Namenda (memantine) is a prescription drug used to treat dementia related to Alzheimer’s disease. Namenda comes as an oral tablet and an extended-release oral capsule. It’s a brand-name drug that’s also available as the generic drug memantine.
Note: As a person’s condition progresses, they may need help reading or understanding certain information about their treatment plan. This article contains details that may help caregivers learn more about key aspects of Namenda.
Namenda is used to treat moderate to severe dementia related to Alzheimer’s disease (AD).
Dementia is a condition that causes a decline in cognitive function. It can negatively affect your behavior, judgment, language, memory, or thinking. Although there may be multiple possible causes for dementia, it’s thought that AD is responsible in most cases.
Symptoms of dementia include:
- difficulty coping with change
- trouble completing tasks of everyday living
- confusion
- problems with memory and remembering
- struggling to find words while speaking
It’s not fully known how Namenda works to treat dementia related to AD. However, it’s thought that with this condition, a chemical messenger called glutamate may be overstimulating certain receptors in the brain. This may lead to damage in the brain and contribute to dementia symptoms. Namenda works by attaching to these receptors, which may help prevent them from being overstimulated.
Like most drugs, Namenda may cause mild to serious side effects. The lists below describe some of the more common side effects that Namenda may cause. These lists don’t include all possible side effects.
Keep in mind that side effects of a drug can depend on:
- your age
- other health conditions you have
- other medications you take
Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more about the potential side effects of Namenda. They can also suggest ways to help reduce side effects. (You can also see this article to learn more about Namenda’s side effects.)
Mild side effects
Here’s a list of some of the mild side effects that Namenda can cause. To learn about other mild side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist, or read Namenda’s prescribing information.
Mild side effects of Namenda or Namenda XR that have been reported include:
- confusion
- urinary retention
- weight gain
- constipation
- cough
- diarrhea
- dizziness
- headache
- pain, such as in your back or abdomen
- sleepiness
- vomiting
Mild side effects of many drugs may go away within a few days to a couple of weeks. But if they become bothersome, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Serious side effects
Serious side effects from Namenda can occur, but they aren’t common. If you have serious side effects from Namenda, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency, you should call 911 or your local emergency number.
Serious side effects of Namenda or Namenda XR that have been reported include:
- hallucinations
- depression
- anxiety
- suicidal thoughts and behaviors
- high blood pressure
Allergic reactionFor some people, Namenda can cause an allergic reaction.
This side effect wasn’t reported in studies of Namenda or Namenda XR, but they’ve occurred since the drugs were approved for use.
In general, symptoms of allergic reaction can be mild or serious.
What might help
If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may suggest a treatment to manage your symptoms and can determine whether you should keep taking Namenda.
If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care.
If your doctor confirms you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Namenda, they may have you switch to a different treatment.
Your doctor will recommend the dosage of Namenda that’s right for you. Below are commonly used dosages, but always take the dosage your doctor prescribes.
Forms and strengths
Namenda comes in two forms:
- Namenda immediate-release oral tablet, which is available in two strengths: 5 milligrams (mg) and 10 mg
- Namenda XR, which is an extended-release oral capsule available in four strengths:
- 7 mg
- 14 mg
- 21 mg
- 28 mg
Note: “Immediate release” means the drug is released into your body right away. “Extended release” means the drug is slowly released into your body over a long period of time.
Recommended dosages
If you’re prescribed the Namenda oral tablets, the typical starting dosage is 5 mg taken once daily. After taking this dosage for at least 1 week, your doctor will increase it to 5 mg taken twice per day. Your doctor will likely continue slowly increasing your dosage until you reach a dosage of 10 mg taken twice daily, which is the recommended maintenance dose. For example, your Namenda dosing schedule may look like this:
- Week 1: 5 mg taken once per day
- Week 2: 5 mg taken twice per day
- Week 3: 15 mg per day, taken as one 5-mg dose and one 10-mg dose
- Week 4: 10 mg taken twice per day
However, you should always follow the dosing schedule prescribed by your doctor.
With Namenda XR, the typical starting dose is 7 mg taken once daily. After at least 1 week of taking this dosage, your doctor will likely increase your dose to 14 mg. They’ll continue slowly increasing your dose until you reach the recommended maintenance dose of 28 mg taken once per day. The following is an example of a typical Namenda XR dosing schedule:
- Week 1: 7 mg taken once per day
- Week 2: 14 mg taken once per day
- Week 3: 21 mg taken once per day
- Week 4: 28 mg taken once per day
You should always follow the dosing schedule that your doctor prescribes.
To learn more about Namenda’s dosage, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Questions about taking Namenda
Below are some common questions about taking Namenda.
- Can Namenda be chewed, crushed, or split? It depends on the form of Namenda you take:
- Namenda: You shouldn’t chew, crush, or split Namenda tablets. You should swallow them whole. If you have trouble swallowing pills, check out this article or ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
- Namenda XR: If you have trouble swallowing capsules, you can open the Namenda XR capsule and sprinkle the pellets inside onto a small amount of applesauce. Without chewing, swallow the applesauce and pellet mixture. Then drink a glass of water to make sure you’ve swallowed any pellets that may still be in your mouth. You should not chew or crush the capsules.
- Should I take Namenda with food? Namenda can be taken with or without food.
- Is there a best time of day to take Namenda? Namenda can be taken at any time of day, but it’s best to take it around the same time each day. This helps keep a consistent level of the drug in your body, which helps Namenda work effectively.
- What if I miss a dose of Namenda? If you miss a dose of Namenda, take it as soon as you remember. But if it’s almost time to take your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at its usual time. You should not take two doses at once to make up for a missed dose. Doing so could raise your risk of side effects.
- Will I need to take Namenda long term? Namenda is typically used as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that it’s safe and effective for your condition, you’ll likely take it long term.
- How long does Namenda take to work? Namenda begins to work after you take your first dose. But it may take several weeks before its effects are noticed. Your doctor can provide more information on how they’ll monitor whether Namenda is working to treat your condition.
Overdose
Do not take more Namenda than your doctor prescribes, as this can lead to harmful effects.
Symptoms of overdose
Symptoms caused by an overdose can include:
- agitation
- weakness
- slow heart rate
- confusion
- dizziness
- increased blood pressure
- restlessness
- hallucinations
- loss of consciousness
In some cases, an overdose of Namenda could lead to coma.
What to do in case you take too much Namenda
Call your doctor if you think you’ve taken too much Namenda. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach America’s Poison Centers or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number. Or go to the nearest emergency room.
Below is important information you should consider before taking Namenda.
Interactions
Taking a drug with certain medications, vaccines, foods, and other things can affect how the drug works. These effects are called interactions.
Before starting Namenda treatment, talk with your doctor and pharmacist. Tell them about all prescription, over-the-counter, and other drugs you take. Also, tell them about any vitamins, herbs, and supplements you take. Sharing this information can help you avoid potential interactions.
If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Namenda can interact with several other medications.
Before taking Namenda, talk with your doctor and pharmacist. Tell them about all prescription, over-the-counter, and other drugs you take. Also tell them about any vitamins, herbs, and supplements you use. Sharing this information can help you avoid potential interactions.
Drug interactions
Below is a list of medications that can interact with Namenda. This list does not contain all drugs that may interact with Namenda. If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
| Drug group or drug name | Drug examples |
| carbonic anhydrase inhibitors | • acetazolamide • methazolamide |
| sodium bicarbonate | — |
| other N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) blockers | • amantadine (Gocovri) • dextromethorphan (Delsym) |
Namenda and alcohol
Alcohol is not known to interact with Namenda. But alcohol may worsen dementia. Because of this, your doctor may recommend that you limit the amount of alcohol you drink.
If you have questions about consuming alcohol with your condition or treatment plan, talk with your doctor.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
It’s not known whether it’s safe to take Namenda during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant or to breastfeed, talk with your doctor before starting Namenda treatment.
Warnings
Namenda can sometimes cause harmful effects in people who have certain conditions. This is known as a drug-condition interaction. Other factors may also affect whether Namenda is a good treatment option for you.
Talk with your doctor about your health history before you take Namenda. Be sure to tell them if any of the following factors apply to you:
- epilepsy or other causes of seizures
- difficulty passing urine
- bladder problem, such as urinary retention
- kidney problem, such as chronic kidney disease
- liver problem, such as cirrhosis
- previous allergic reaction to Namenda
- pregnancy
- breastfeeding
- suicidal thoughts and behaviors
Help is out there
If you or someone you know is in crisis and considering suicide or self-harm, please seek support:
- Call or text the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.
- Text HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741741.
- Not in the United States? Find a helpline in your country with Befrienders Worldwide.
- Call 911 or your local emergency services number if you feel safe to do so.
If you’re calling on behalf of someone else, stay with them until help arrives. You may remove weapons or substances that can cause harm if you can do so safely.
If you are not in the same household, stay on the phone with them until help arrives.
Find answers to some commonly asked questions about Namenda.
Is Namenda an antipsychotic?
No, Namenda is not an antipsychotic. It’s a type of drug called a N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor blocker. Examples of antipsychotic medications include risperidone (Risperdal) and haloperidol.
NMDA blockers and antipsychotic medications don’t work in the same way, and they’re used for different conditions. Namenda is used to treat dementia related to Alzheimer’s disease. There aren’t currently any antipsychotic drugs approved for this condition.
If you’d like to learn more about the differences between Namenda and antipsychotics, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Does Namenda cause different side effects in older adults?
No. In studies of Namenda and Namenda XR, the majority of people (more than 90%) were ages 65 years and older. So, reports of side effects from these studies are mostly from older adults. The drug isn’t known to cause different side effects based on age.
To learn more about the side effects this drug can cause, see the “What are Namenda’s side effects?” section or check out this article.
To learn more about your specific risk of side effects from Namenda, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Can Namenda be used for autism spectrum disorder?
No, Namenda is not approved to treat autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Certain studies of Namenda and Namenda XR looked at its use for ASD in children ages 6 to 12 years old, and it wasn’t found effective for this condition. Other
To learn more about ASD and treatments for it, talk with your doctor or your child’s doctor.
Whether you have health insurance or not, cost may be a factor when you’re considering Namenda. What you’ll pay for Namenda may depend on several things, such as your treatment plan and the pharmacy you use.
Here are a few things to consider regarding cost:
- Cost information and savings coupons: You can visit Optum Perks to get price estimates of what you’d pay for Namenda when using coupons from the site. See the coupon options below. (Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with any insurance copays or benefits.)
- Generic form: Namenda is available as the generic drug memantine. Generics usually cost less than brand-name drugs. Talk with your doctor if you’d like to know whether generic memantine could be an option for you.
You can also check out this article to learn more about saving money on prescriptions.
Save on your Namenda prescription
Save on Namenda without insurance.
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47201
Dosage
49 memantine titration pak (1 Dispenser Pack)
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Simply show the Optum Perks coupon at your preferred pharmacy or order online and instantly save up to 80% without using insurance. The coupon doesn’t expire, so be sure to save it for refills.
Retail price refers to the manufacturer’s published list price and is up to date as of 3/2023. Retail and discounted prices are U.S.-only and can vary based on region and pharmacy. We cannot guarantee that the discounted price listed here will exactly match the price at your pharmacy. Please contact your pharmacy for the exact price.
Optum Perks and Healthline are subsidiaries of RVO Health.
Pricing source:Perks.optum.com
Other drugs are available that can treat your condition. If you’d like to explore an alternative to Namenda, talk with your doctor. They can tell you about other medications that might work well for you.
The following drugs are similar to Namenda:
- donepezil (Aricept)
- donepezil and memantine (Namzaric)
- galantamine
- rivastigmine
Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.