Memantine
Memantine is an NMDA receptor antagonist tablet used to treat moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease, available here as 10mg memantine tablets and Namenda in 5mg and 10mg.
What memantine is used for
Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia, a gradual loss of memory, thinking and everyday skills. Memantine treats its symptoms in the moderate and severe stages. It belongs to a group of medicines called NMDA receptor antagonists, and it works by changing the activity of certain natural chemical messengers in the brain. Glutamate is the main one involved: in Alzheimer's it overstimulates nerve cells, and memantine takes the edge off that overactivity. It eases symptoms and helps control the condition. It does not cure the disease or undo damage that has already happened.
Taking memantine tablets
Swallow the tablet with water. Food does not matter here — the timing does, so pick one or two fixed slots and keep to them. Treatment starts low and climbs in steps, usually no more than one increase a week, until the dose that suits the person is reached. If a dose is forgotten, take it later the same day; when the next one is close, leave the missed dose and carry on as normal. Never take two at once.
Which memantine listing to choose
There are two here. Memantine is a plain 10mg tablet. Namenda is the brand-name version, supplied in 5mg and 10mg tablets; the smaller strength is handy while a dose is being stepped up. The active ingredient is identical in both, so the decision comes down to the strength and the branding rather than the medicine inside. Neither is a combination product. Both sit in our Neurology section.
Side effects to expect
Dizziness, headache, sleepiness and confusion are among the more common complaints, along with constipation or diarrhoea, nausea, weight gain, back or muscle aches and a cough. Many of these settle once the dose has been steady for a while. Two effects are more serious: hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not there) and shortness of breath. Either needs urgent treatment. Alcohol makes dizziness and drowsiness worse. Dextromethorphan, the cough medicine ingredient, and sodium bicarbonate, found in some indigestion remedies, both interact with memantine.
What to expect over time
Benefits show up over weeks rather than days, and they are usually modest — steadier thinking or behaviour rather than a return to former abilities. Tablets keep best in their original pack, in a cool spot out of direct sun. After a break of several days, memantine is normally restarted at a low dose and built up again rather than resumed at the old one.
Sources
- Memantine: MedlinePlus Drug Information — National Library of Medicine
- Alzheimer's disease - NHS — NHS
Where can I order Memantine for delivery in Hong Kong?
Memantine can be ordered online with delivery to Hong Kong. The range includes Memantine tablets in 10mg and generic Namenda in 5mg and 10mg tablets. If a parcel does not arrive within the delivery window, or arrives damaged, it is sent again at no cost, and if that cannot be done the order is refunded.
What is the price of Memantine?
It depends on the product, strength and pack size. Each of the two memantine products listed here shows its current prices in HKD or the currency you select.
Do I need a prescription to order Memantine?
PockDose does not ask you to upload a prescription when you order memantine. See the ordering FAQ for details.
What is another name for memantine?
Namenda is a brand name of memantine, which is also sold as Admenta and Ebixa. Here, memantine can be bought online as generic Namenda and memantine tablets. These are generics, not the original brand.
How long does memantine take to work?
Not quickly. The dose starts low and goes up in steps, so there is no moment when the tablet kicks in. What people notice, if anything, is steadier thinking, memory or behaviour, and it shows over months of daily use. The change is usually modest.
Can I drink alcohol with memantine?
Keep it light if you do. Alcohol can make memantine's side effects worse, especially dizziness and drowsiness, and it can add to any confusion. If you feel unsteady or more muddled after a drink, that is the combination rather than the alcohol alone.
Is Namenda the same as memantine?
Yes — Namenda's active ingredient is memantine, and it works in the same way. The difference is the name and the strengths on offer: Namenda comes as 5mg and 10mg tablets, while the plain memantine listing is 10mg. Both are taken the same way.
Can memantine be taken with other medicines?
Two need care: dextromethorphan, the cough suppressant in many syrups, and sodium bicarbonate, used in some indigestion remedies and sold as baking soda. Both interact with memantine, so it is worth knowing what is in the cough bottle or antacid on the shelf.
What is the difference between the 5mg and 10mg memantine tablets?
The 5mg tablet is for the early weeks, when the dose goes up in small steps. The 10mg tablet is the larger step. Namenda is sold in both strengths, while the plain memantine listing is 10mg only.