Memantine oral tablet dosage: A detailed guide

This article describes memantine oral tablet’s dosages and strengths and gives details on how to take it. You’ll also find information on cost savings and coupon options for memantine. If you want to know more about memantine oral tablet, see this overview article. It covers details about the drug’s uses, side effects, and more.

Memantine oral tablet is a generic version of the brand-name drug Namenda. Memantine also comes in an extended-release* oral capsule and liquid solution, but those forms aren’t described in this article. To learn more about those forms, talk with your doctor.

* “Extended release” means the drug is released into your body slowly over a long period of time.

Form and strengths of memantine

Memantine oral tablet comes as follows:

• Form: a tablet that you swallow
• Strengths: 5 milligrams (mg), 10 mg

Dosage of memantine

This article describes the recommended dosages for memantine oral tablet. The drugmaker provides these dosages.

If your doctor prescribes this medication, you should follow the dosage they prescribe. Your doctor will determine the dosage that best meets your needs. Do not change your dosage of memantine oral tablet without your doctor’s recommendation.

Usual recommended dosages of memantine in adults

Usually, doctors start by prescribing a low dosage of memantine oral tablet. Then, they’ll adjust it over time until the right dosage is reached.

Dosage for dementia

Memantine oral tablet is approved to treat dementia caused by Alzheimer’s disease in adults. Dementia is problems with thinking, memory, and communication. These are the recommended dosages in milligrams (mg):

• Starting dosage: 5 mg once per day
• Maintenance dosage: 10 mg twice per day
• Maximum dosage: 20 mg total per day

A maintenance dosage is what you’ll take throughout treatment, often after a starting dosage.

Dosage adjustments for memantine

Your doctor will prescribe a dosage of memantine oral tablet based on several factors. These include:

• the specific condition being treated and how severe it is
• other health conditions you may have
• other medications you take

Missed dose of memantine

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist right away if you realize you forgot to take a dose of memantine oral tablet. They may advise you to take the missed dose. Or they may advise you to skip it and take your next dose as scheduled.

If you miss several days of memantine, you may need to restart your dosage. For example, you might resume it at the starting dosage and increase it to the maintenance dosage. Your doctor or pharmacist can guide you on how best to do this.

For tips on how to plan your doses of memantine oral tablet and avoid missing a dose, read this article. You could also try:

• downloading a reminder app on your phone
• setting an alarm
• putting a note where you’ll see it, such as on your calendar, bathroom mirror, or bedside table

Frequently asked questions

Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about memantine oral tablet and its dosage.

Should I take my dose of memantine at night?

You can take memantine oral tablet any time of day, including at nighttime. To help ensure you do take it, it’s best to take memantine at the same time every day. Doctors usually prescribe it to be taken two times per day. In that case, you can take it in the morning and at night.

If you’d like to know more about taking your doses of memantine, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Can memantine be taken for depression or anxiety? If so, what’s the dosage?

It might be. But memantine oral tablet is approved only to treat dementia caused by Alzheimer’s disease. Dementia is problems with thinking, memory, and communication. It’s not approved to treat depression or anxiety.

But in some cases, doctors may prescribe memantine off-label for depression or anxiety. With off-label use, doctors prescribe a drug for a purpose other than what it’s approved to treat or help prevent.

To learn more about treatment options for depression or anxiety, talk with your doctor.

Is memantine taken long term?

Yes, doctors typically prescribe memantine oral tablet as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that it’s safe and effective for your condition, you’ll likely take it long term.

If you have questions about how long you should take memantine oral tablet, talk with your doctor.

How memantine is taken

You’ll swallow memantine oral tablet up to two times per day. You can take it with or without food.

Your doctor may advise that you take this medication around the same time each day. This helps keep a consistent amount of the drug in your body. And that can help the drug work more effectively.

The drugmaker hasn’t stated whether memantine oral tablet can be crushed, chewed, or split. If it’s hard for you to swallow tablets, view this article. It provides suggestions on how to swallow medications that come in pill form.

Also, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you’re having difficulty taking your medication. They can offer recommendations about taking it.

Memantine coupon

Visit this page to access Optum Perks coupons and get price estimates for memantine when you use the coupons. These coupons can provide significant savings on your prescription costs.

Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with insurance copays or benefits.

Overdose of memantine

It’s important that you do not take more memantine oral tablet than your doctor prescribes. Doing so can lead to harmful effects.

Symptoms of memantine overdose

Symptoms of an overdose can include:

• confusion
• loss of consciousness
• slowed movement

What to do if you take too much memantine

If you think you’ve taken too much memantine, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.

What to ask your doctor

This article describes the usual recommended dosages for memantine oral tablet. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they’ll determine the dosage that’s best for you.

Do not change your dosage of memantine oral tablet without your doctor’s recommendation. You should take memantine oral tablet exactly as your doctor prescribes it. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about your treatment plan.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• Will a higher dosage of memantine oral tablet increase my risk of side effects?
• Are there any drug interactions I should avoid while taking memantine oral tablet?
• How can I switch to memantine extended-release* oral capsule?

* “Extended-release” means the drug is released into your body slowly over a long period of time.

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.