Memantine User Reviews & Ratings

• Mel...
• October 28, 2020

Memantine 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."

• And...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 21, 2020

For Autism "A life saver. I have autism. It is pretty bad autism. I saw help on day one. But it isn't a fix-it-all for me. Being able to understand nonverbal communication and verbal communication is huge improvements. This helps me with social interaction. This helps me with anxiety. Helps my expressive myself and respond better. Less meltdowns. Helps my cognitive functions. Helps me think. Helps my thought issue due to my autism and auditory processing disorder. Helps me slow down my mind to pay attention more and can respond to changes and sensory problems. Not a full fix for me but huge help. I am more polite. I can talk about others' interests not just my needs or wants or questions that I had trouble asking. Better behavior."

• Kit...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 26, 2013

Memantine 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."

• bil...
• January 3, 2020

Memantine 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."

• Anonymous
• April 6, 2012

Memantine 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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• November 23, 2017

For Autism "My daughter started taking this at the age of 10. I had been told she would never read, graduate from school, or be independent. She is now 15, Magna Cum Laude with goals of becoming a forensic pathologist. She is involved in choir, student council, and has a number of friends. It has made an overwhelming difference in the quality of her life and her ability to better control her compulsive behaviors."

• Leg...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 29, 2021

For Alzheimer's Disease "My wife, who has Vascular Dementia/Alzheimer's Disease. She has tried this drug twice. First time, she started on a low dose of memantine and built up to 20mg. Her condition became worse over a period of time. I was not sure if this was a normal progression of her condition. We stopped the drugs, and within two weeks she had settled down, and things were more manageable. A year later, we have tried the drug again on a low dose of 5mg. The confusion became worse. So we have stopped them again. It is hard to know if there are any benefits from this drug in our experience."

• car...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 25, 2015

Memantine 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."

• Sur...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 16, 2021

Memantine 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."

• Joe...
• January 15, 2020

Memantine 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."

• dau...
• January 16, 2012

Memantine 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."

• CTa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 27, 2019

Memantine 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."

• Aut...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 30, 2020

For Autism "I take 20 mg of memantine for my slight autism! And this has been a miracle drug! It helps me in social interactions, I can recognize social cues and skills that I couldn't before! It also helps with my obsessive and aggressive problems! Thank you to whoever made this drug."

• Ano...
• January 12, 2013

For Autism "I was first prescribed this for Asperger's syndrome at the age of 24. I've been on numerous types of medications since I was a teenager, but this is the first one that I've been on that has significantly helped. My quality of life is much better. I don't have as many ruminating, obsessive thoughts that make me miserable."

• Bob...
• November 16, 2020

Memantine 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."

• Aut...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 11, 2019

For Autism "I take 10 mg twice daily for autism spectrum disorder. It stops the intrusive thoughts, rumination, and repetitive thinking, which is a godsend. It also reduces repetitive behavior/stereotypes. I haven't noticed any side effects, maybe a little brain fog, but that has disappeared with continued use."

• Dau...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 1, 2016

Memantine 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."

• Ker...
• August 10, 2013

Memantine 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."

• Ms ...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 11, 2017

Memantine 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."

• SH ...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 19, 2015

Memantine 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."

• 1ca...
• October 16, 2014

Memantine 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."

• kls...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 10, 2025

For Autism "Our 7-year-old was prescribed memantine for ASD. His symptoms were obsessive thinking/actions, social anxiety/confusion, and general anxiety. He was at the point where he was being restrained outside of the school since he was so terrified of entering (once he was in the building he was fine - it was crossing the threshold). We tried anti-anxiety meds that didn't work or made him cranky or tired, and we tried occupational therapy and counseling. Nothing seemed to work for very long. We were heartbroken that he was losing his childhood. My friend suggested a doctor in the area who was prescribing memantine for ASD. She had seen dramatic changes in her daughter thanks to the drug. TWO WEEKS later, we saw changes. He was still his creative, unique self, but now he was saying, 'Buy, mom!' and waltzing into school. He was comfortable making new friends, and the teachers started sharing how kind and funny he was. Also - ZERO side effects. He's 9 now and a happy, social, active 3rd grader."

• bsa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 27, 2014

Memantine for Alzheimer's Disease "My wife began the 4-stage process a couple of months ago, and I stopped it halfway through week 2 because she seemed to be getting more confused. We started again a month ago and are into the 2nd full dose, and I am very concerned that her condition is worse instead of better."

• KDD...
• January 20, 2016

For Alzheimer's Disease "Both of my parents suffered from Alzheimer's. My mother died last summer, eight years after her diagnosis, and never took any medication except for Lorazepam. My dad was diagnosed with Alzheimer's six months ago. He began taking Aricept in November and Memantine in December. In five months, he has degenerated so rapidly that he is functioning at the same level my mom was at in her last year of the disease. Every time the dose is increased, he gets exponentially worse, it's noticeable almost daily. I am in the process of titrating him off both. I wish I would have researched it better. I thought that was the doctor's job. This is the first online review I have written. Grateful to hear that I'm not imagining these side effects. Thanks."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 21, 2024

For Autism "Memantine has helped my social anxiety greatly, not through direct anxiolysis, but indirectly through dissociation from reality, albeit mild. It works perfectly for sensory overload as the autistic brain does not filter out unnecessary external stimuli due to NMDAR current blockade, similar to endogenous magnesium. Amazing, wonderful."