Memantine: uses and side effects of this drug

This drug is used especially in patients with Alzheimer's disease.

Memantine is a drug that belongs to the group of NMDA receptor antagonists.. As such, it is used for the treatment of the manifestations of Alzheimer's disease, both moderate and severe, although it is also used to treat different types of chronic pain.

Below we will see in more detail what memantine is and what it is used for, as well as its indications and some of its main adverse effects.

What is memantine?

Memantine is a drug used to treat memory loss. It is a drug especially used in symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. The latter is a neurodegenerative disorder related to various alterations in the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors, which are located in the cells of the posterior horn of the spinal cord and are responsible for regulating the transmission of electrical signals in the brain.

The activity of these receptors is fundamental in cognitive processes such as memory and learning, as well as in the plasticity of the brain.as well as in neural plasticity and some pain states. Therefore, an altered activity of these receptors, especially when due to the presence of high levels of toxicity, is related to diseases such as Alzheimer's disease.

What is the purpose of this drug?

Memantine serves precisely as an antagonist of NMDA receptors. This means that it blocks or stops the oxidative stress associated with the increase of a molecule called "amyloid B peptide", which is the mechanism associated with the loss of cognitive functions.

In other words, although memantine does not have the ability to definitively reverse neurodegenerative diseases, it does have neuroprotective and enhancing functions for different cognitive functions. This is because it protects brain connections from toxic levels of calcium, which in turn allows signals to be transmitted regularly between neurons.

In addition, memantine is not only used in the manifestations of Alzheimer's disease, but it can also alleviate some neuropathic pains can alleviate some neuropathic, psychosomatic and chronic pains, some types of neuralgia and some types of neuralgia.Some types of neuralgia and trauma, spinal cord injuries, among others.

Administration and recommended dosage

Memantine is administered orally. It is marketed in the form of tablets which can be taken with food, but not necessarily with food. The tablets are film-coated and contain 10 mg of active ingredient, which is memantine hydrochloride (equivalent to 8.31 mg of memantine).

Other chemical components found in this medicine are microcrystalline cellulose, magnesium stearate, croscarmellose sodium, and anhydrous colloidal silica. Also, the film covering the tablet is made of polyvinyl alcohol, titanium dioxide, talc, macrogol 3350 and iron oxide yellow.

As with other medications, the general recommendation is to take it at the same time daily. In addition, it is usually taken in a small initial dose, which increases gradually over the weeks.

For the first week, it is recommended to take half a 10 mg tablet per day. From the second week on, it is recommended to double the dose until reaching two 10 mg tablets in the fourth week. This last dose is maintained throughout the treatment.

The above are general indications that may vary according to the specialist's recommendation, since it is always the medical personnel who should indicate how to take this medicine. medical personnel should always indicate how to take this drug after a personalized consultation. after a personalized consultation.

Contraindications

It is necessary to take precautions in case of a history of epileptic seizures and in case of having suffered a recent myocardial attack..

Also in case of having Heart disease or uncontrolled hypertension, in renal failure and in case of taking other drugs with NMDA receptor antagonist properties. The latter are those used for the treatment of Parkinson's disease, such as amantadine; ketamine, which is used as an anesthetic, or dextromethorphan, used for coughs.

In the same vein, it is necessary to take precautions in the event of a radical change of diet, for example from carnivore to vegetarian, and it is important to to avoid taking during pregnancy and lactation period..

Adverse effects

The adverse effects of memantine are usually divided according to whether they are frequent, infrequent or occur in very occasional cases. Each of these divisions also corresponds to the level of severity of the effects.

1. Frequent effects

These usually occur in 1 to 10 people out of 100, and include symptoms such as headaches, altered liver function, constipation, impaired balance, dizzinessThey include symptoms such as headaches, headache, shortness of breath, hypertension and hypersensitivity to the drug.

2. Rare effects

They occur in 1 to 10 out of every 1000 people and include symptoms such as tiredness, hallucinations, vomiting, high probability of fungal infections, and coagulation in the venous system (i.e., development of thrombosis), heart failure and gait disturbance.

3. Very rare effects

Fewer than 1 person in 10,000 may experience seizures. In addition, taking this drug during Alzheimer's treatment has been associated with inflammation of the pancreas, development of hepatitis, psychotic reactions, depression and suicidal ideation and/or suicide.

However, the relationship between memantine and these latter adverse effects has not been sufficiently investigated, so information on their possible involvement is uncertain.