It goes without saying that the main goal of medicine is to find the solutions of the health problems; however, the greatest deal of the scientific work results only in the appearing of new drugs that reduce the symptoms of this or that disorder, especially if it concerns such tricky conditions as, for example, Alzheimer’s disease, which is still too little understood these days. Nonetheless, the development of the pills, which can at least ease the living of the sufferers, is better than nothing; thus any positive result should be treated as a significant achievement of the modern science.

One of such achievements in the treatment of the mentioned Alzheimer’s is the development of a new drug, which targets a chemical glutamate in the brain, in contrast to other medicines that affect acetylcholine.

Namenda – a medication with the active ingredient called memantine – was discovered in the late 60^th and studied for its possible use against depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, multiple sclerosis, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, glaucoma, tinnitus and some other conditions. However, these days the drug is approved for the treatment of moderate to severe Alzheimer’s disease.

Memantine is known to decrease the effects of the main excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate in the brain. This chemical is responsible for memory and learning; however, its excess is said to result in the nerves degeneration due to their increased stimulation by this neurotransmitter. Consequently, blocking the receptors to which glutamate is destined, memantine protects nerve cells from the excessive stimulation.

It is noted that the effects of the treatment with Namenda are usually quite modest. On the other hand, the drug is said to be generally well-tolerated, having low rates of gastrointestinal side effects. The most common adverse reactions are said to be dizziness, headache, confusion, fatigue, high blood pressure, hallucinations, vomiting and difficulty breathing.

It is suggested that Namenda is safe for an unborn baby; however, pregnant women should consult their doctors about the possibility to take this drug during pregnancy. Doctor’s consultation is necessary if a patient has a history of seizures, allergies, kidney and liver disorders or urinary tract infections.

The recommended dose of Namenda is 10 mg a day. The treatment is started with 5 mg, increasing the dose gradually up to the allowed maximum of 20 mg a day if necessary. The drug is available as pills and in the liquid form.

Before starting memantine, be sure to inform your doctor about all the drugs you are currently taking. Diuretics, gastric acid reducers, anti-diabetes, antiviral and cough medicines may be not recommended to be used with Namenda. It is also not advised to take drugs that reduce urine acidity with this anti-Alzheimer’s medication. 

Being not a cure for the Alzheimer’s disease, Namenda is still capable of postponing disorder progression, temporary improving cognition and thinking, mood and behavior, as well as allowing to successfully fulfill everyday activities. It should however, be noted that these effects are visible in cases of moderate to severe stages of the disease, but they cannot be properly evaluated in mild to moderate condition.