Memantine/N-Methyl-D-Aspartate (NMDA) Antagonists
This information is generalized and not intended as specific medical advice. Consult your healthcare professional before taking or discontinuing any drug or commencing any course of treatment.
Medical warning:
Serious. These medicines may interact and cause very harmful effects. Contact your healthcare professional (e.g. doctor or pharmacist) for more information.
How the interaction occurs:
Both memantine and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonists work at the same location in the brain. NMDA antagonists include amantadine and ketamine.
What might happen:
You may experience more side effects such as insomnia, dizziness, headaches, hallucinations, or tiredness.
What you should do about this interaction:
Contact your healthcare professionals (e.g. doctor or pharmacist) right away about using these medicines together. If your doctor decides that taking these medicines together is the best therapy for you, let your doctor know if you notice an increase in any side effects from your medicine.Your healthcare professionals may already be aware of this interaction and may be monitoring you for it. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first.
References:
1.Ebixa (memantine hydrochloride) UK summary of product characteristics. H. Lundbeck A/S September 27, 2002.
2.Namenda (memantine hydrochloride) US prescribing information. Forest Pharmaceuticals Inc. March, 2006.
3.Pope LE, Kaye R, Hepner A, Schoedel KA, Bartlett C, Sellers EM. A study of potential pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) interactions between dextromethorphan/quinidine and memantine. Presented at the 163rd Metting of the American Psychiatric Association. May 22-26, 2010; New Orleans, LA..
