Generic Name: Namenda (memantine)
Namenda Reviews
For Alzheimer's Disease "Mother-in-law has Alzheimer’s and it was severe to where she went into a memory care. Once she started Namenda, within the second week, it was like she was back to her old self. She was able to get up by herself, dressed like she had prior to the Alzheimer's. It was truly unbelievable. This medicine has given us more time with our loved one. She was active, psychotic, delusional, and hallucinating 24/7. Unbelievable. I cannot say enough good things about this medication. She was tired the first week, but that was good, better to rest than to be awake and delusional. I think she is ready for an increase where she is getting her nighttime/early morning bad dreams back again. But it has been 2 years since she started this medication. Please, everyone, give this medication time to work. It is a miracle medicine. Give it at least 2 weeks at the same time daily. I read reviews and it can be a mess just after a few days. The med is fully working, yet please give it another chance and more time. Amazing."
For Alzheimer's Disease "My mother has been taking Namenda for Alzheimer's for over a year now. She was first prescribed Aricept which made her more anxious/hyperactive & no noticeable positive impact. After 2 weeks of Namenda, there was noticeable improvement in her cognitive abilities. In fact, the light bulb finally went off & she realized she had Alzheimer's. She spent the next several days on the phone breaking the news to family and friends, who had known for over 2 years by that time. My opinion: Namenda keeps her in 2013 - in the present. Her logic, reasoning, problem-solving skills, short-term memory, comprehension, and communication skills are impaired from the disease, but she recognizes this and acknowledges her feelings of confusion."
For Alzheimer's Disease "It was a wonderful drug for my mother, with dementia, at 77. They first prescribed Aricept, which caused nausea. Asking the doctor 'what other drug may work'? She recommended Namenda. It became a miracle. It did not rectify some of the mental losses, but she no longer experienced hallucinations (in jail; on a boat). It came at the end of the year when insurance wouldn't pay for the drug. So I waited for two weeks without drug to resume insurance at the first of the year. During this time she regressed mentally. As soon as I started it again, she improved-true testament. I was able to have my mom back for two years until a stroke. I swear by Namenda for only my mother. I tell everyone. As with any drug, it may not work for others, but it was truly a godsend for my sweet mother. She and I were lucky."
For Alzheimer's Disease "We started my Dad on Namenda, and by day 2, he was more confused, lost, and irritable than usual, so my Mom stopped it. The doctor asked her to start again, and the same day, he experienced the same side effects, so she stopped. Last week, she decided to try it one more time to make sure. Dad was VERY confused and not easy to take care of. I guess he is just one of those people that can't take this medication. Too bad. It helps so many people."
For Alzheimer's Disease "Horrible drug! No help at all, and they wanted my dad to take more! He just passed away from surgery complications, but after being off it, he was NORMAL. The doctor had him on so many meds, this being one along with Zoloft. These mind-altering drugs are BAD! Also avoid Haldol. If you have a loved one, PLEASE get them off these. I don't buy into these did wonders for my mom or dad, probably written by the drug companies' reps. Watch the World News, EVERY OTHER AD is a drug ad. The less you take, the better. I'm sorry we gave these to my dad."
For Alzheimer's Disease "I have taken it for about 4-5 years. I feel able to cope pretty well considering. I live by myself and manage to do most things. I still have memory issues, but so do most people. I have been fortunate not to have had adverse effects of any consequence."
For Alzheimer's Disease "My father has significantly improved since taking Namenda and Aricept combined, as well as 24-hour caregiver support at home. We believe that the combination has helped dad's cognitive function not just by medication alone, but because he had companionship 24 hours a day. Dad was confused, always thought he was at work and wanted to go home. He forgot who we were and even made sexual moves towards people he would not have otherwise when he did not have Alzheimer's. The symptoms or behaviors he still has are occasional memory loss but very little. He is still paranoid and thinks people are stealing from him or going on his property when they are not, and he occasionally still sees people or animals that aren't there. But the confusion of who we were, where he was, and the wandering and wanting to 'go home' even when he was home is no longer an issue. My dad is only 73, and he was diagnosed last year with Alzheimer's."
For Alzheimer's Disease "My mother has been treated with the Exelon (patch) for two years now. Last month she was changed to Namenda. She has become irritable, aggressive/depressed and more confused than before. We are asking the doctor to switch back to Exelon."
For Alzheimer's Disease "My sister has moderate frontal lobe Alzheimer’s. She was extremely agitated, angry, and weepy. She was withdrawing into herself and had little awareness of her surroundings and had difficulty with dressing and toileting. Literally, after the first day of Namenda 20 mg, it was like someone turned the lights on. It’s been 2 months now, and she is aware and able to go for walks by herself; dress herself and play the piano. Her memory and executive function continue to be poor. Nothing short of a miracle. Not sure how long this will last."
For Alzheimer's Disease "My mother has taken Namenda twice now. The first time she was so confused after a week, I stopped giving it to her. She has gotten worse over the years and for some reason her doctor had given me a new prescription for the same medicine. I tried it for two days and saw my mother become extremely confused, so I stopped giving it to her. I don't know why he insisted on Namenda after I told him it didn't work the first time."
For Alzheimer's Disease "My PCP put me on Namenda to supplement my Aricept for Alzheimer's disease. Seems to help my short-term memory. However, my memory lapses happen every 2 weeks or so and only for a short period. When it is working, I can think clearly. I'm 62 and thankful for this medication."
For Alzheimer's Disease "My mom is 94. We started her on this medication because she was confused to the point of argument, mostly in the late afternoon till bedtime. After 5 days of treatment, she seemed to be worse, starting when she wakes up. Not sure what to do except to call the doctor on Monday to ask what we should do."
For Alzheimer's Disease "My mom has been on this medication for one year, and her condition (dementia) is getting worse. She's hallucinating, aggressive, and extremely confused. It seems as if this medication is making things worse and speeding up the progress of the dementia. This drug should not be on the market. I will bring her to her psychologist soon, and I will be asking for this drug to be taken off her daily medication intake. Please say no to this drug."
For Alzheimer's Disease "My wife (74) has been taking Namenda since the first diagnosis of Alzheimer's two years ago. She also takes any supplement that promises to help retain or improve memory. Her memory has stayed about the same or gotten a little worse in that time. She has also taken Aricept during the same period."
For Alzheimer's Disease "My mother has been taking it for one month and her dementia - which was mild - has gotten worse. She is confused and thinks that my brother lives with her. She was taking samples as she cannot afford the medicine."
For Alzheimer's Disease "My dad took this medication, and on the 7 mg and 14 mg did quite well. At first, I thought it was a miracle drug. Being time-released was wonderful, but it was so dang expensive. Almost $220.00 for a two-week supply. We got the generic from the VA, which is not time-released, and it was awful. We took him off it, and the hallucinations continue, but at least they are friendly people."
"The side effect of dizziness and the associated tendency to fall were very bothersome. The hoped-for improvement in mental clarity (which is intermittent at present and results in confusion at unpredictable times and places) did not occur -- in fact, I would have to say that I felt 'spacey' on this medication rather than clearer in my thought processes. My doctor prescribed 'off-label,' so that may explain my negative experience. On the other hand, I wonder if the Alzheimer's patients are able to adequately articulate to their caregivers that they feel certain side effects such as dizziness or 'spacey' feelings. If not, the side effects could easily be attributed to the Alzheimer's disease rather than the medication."
"Works great to lengthen the time needed between ketamine infusions for pain. It is a NMDA but doesn’t have the side effects like ketamine, making it great to use at home. Works best when used every day."
"I was prescribed Namenda as an off-label use for OCD. Prior to taking it, I had been dealing with obsessive thoughts about the safety of my children. I couldn't seem to move from one thought to another, and I would dwell for days on sad news stories about children and would feel sick to my stomach. My doctor tried me on a couple of things, but I am very sensitive to medication and ended up with side effects. She then tried me on Namenda 5mg, and I noticed a difference after taking one pill. I cannot say enough good things about this medication. I was very scared to try it at first since it was created for dementia and not OCD, but I'm so glad I did. My agitation and ruminating thoughts are so much better. I can sit at a park and watch my kids play without having a constant fear they are going to fall and hurt themselves. I have also noticed a huge benefit to my cognitive issues. My memory seems to have improved."
"My husband is taking Namenda for aphasia. 5 mg. The first night of 5mg made him feel sick. Reduced to 1/2 pill for the first week, then full dose for the past two weeks. The words seem to be coming easier to find. Headache or dizziness last two days. Will watch this, not ready to stop yet. Still hopeful that it will help him find the words to speak."
For Alzheimer's Disease "After 2 years of taking Namenda at age 93, she is no worse. It may have helped by slowing down or stopping this terrible condition."
For Alzheimer's Disease "Mom has taken it since 2007. Wish it was a time-release medication. Too hard to get Alzheimer's patients to take medicines even once a day. It does help but may cause dehydration."
For Alzheimer's Disease "My mother has taken Namenda since it was approved. I think it may help slow the neurological decline of a patient."
For Alzheimer's Disease "Patient exhibits no improvement after 12 months of supervised treatment."
For Alzheimer's Disease "Wife has taken for 2 years, no improvement, steady decline in symptoms."
More about Namenda (memantine)
- Check interactions
- Compare alternatives
- Pricing & coupons
- Reviews (31)
- Drug images
- Side effects
- Dosage information
- During pregnancy
- Generic availability
- Drug class: miscellaneous central nervous system agents
- En español
Patient resources
- Namenda drug information
- Namenda (Memantine Solution)
- Namenda (Memantine Tablets)
Professional resources
- Namenda prescribing information
- Memantine (AHFS Monograph)
Other formulations
- Namenda XR
Related treatment guides
- Alzheimer's Disease
