Memantine for Alzheimer's Disease User Reviews (Page 2)

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 1, 2017

"My husband has Vascular Dementia for appox. 4+ yrs. Has been on Memantine for almost a yr., no changes for the good, we expected that mostly, but he's more depressed, talks about wanting to die, cannot feel when he has to pee and just wets himself, more unstable walking, I understand this could be a result of the Dementia. So everything is impossible to judge, thank you all for not giving up and for continuing to look for solutions! God Bless you All, and help you find a cure, thanks for your time.....Pat"

• Anita
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 24, 2020

"My mother-in-law was on Aricept for one year and could only take 5mg a day because anything over that caused night terrors. Last week her doctor said disease progressing too fast so put her on Memantine. After taking only four pills she could not speak, could not move her legs, had no idea where she was. We took her off the medication and she is slowing gaining her speech and mobility back. Not sure if there is any permanent damage from the drug yet but definitely will never let her take it again."

• Suz14p
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 26, 2019

"My mother has Dementia. She's been taking Donepezil (Aricept) for about 5 years. 14 days ago, the Dr. added Memantine (generic Namenda). My mother's confusion has amplified. I have researched the side affects and confusion is one of them. I'm glad I found this site to know that others have had problems too & it's not just me over thinking. I'm taking her off of it immediately."

• Franny
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 30, 2022

"My Mum had a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s with Mixed Dementia. First week on initial dose of 5mg and started day one of 10mg. My mum became more anxious than ever, looked horrendous and was unable to sleep well. She felt sick, had severe nausea and got quite emotional and upset on the drug. The drug didn’t work for her. After 8 days, we were advised to stop the drug. I worried that trying the drug actually made her worse. Who knows - it’s all just a hit or a miss really. A trial for each person I feel."

• Heather
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 1, 2019

"My mum was put on memantine just over a year ago for symptoms from vascular dementia. The starting dose of 10mg made her very sleepy , after consulting with the geriatrician ( psychiatrist) it was increased to 15 mg and the changes were almost instant. Mum started answering the telephone, having conversations again . No noticeable side effects. Recently she has become very quiet and less chatty so the dose has been increased to 20mg. Mum has become very sleepy again so not sure if it’s the dementia or meds. Time will tell We are in Scotland so meds are free"

• FamCa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 19, 2021

"Mom has dementia. After taking memantine, she exhibited strange and unusual behavior. Up at night in a daze, highly unusual verbal statements, confusion, decline in balance. Told her doctor about her strange behavior, he totally ignored my comments, said it was dementia not the drug, and doubled her dosage. On memantine she acts as if drunk or out of her normal state of mind. I would not recommend. Might work better for some."

• Anonymous
• January 10, 2018

Namenda (memantine) "My Dad took this medication and on the 7mg and 14mg 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."

• jld
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 10, 2020

"My mom started taking Memantine and after taking it for two weeks I believe this medication caused her to have very high blood pressure 220/110. She NEVER had issues with her BP before. She had to go to the ER due to a subconjunctival hemorrage which was very scary! She immediately stopped taking this medication after that incident."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 30, 2024

"I am a healthcare proxy for a friend, and she was suffering from anxiety due to memory loss. We did three things for her: hearing aids, memantine, and an anti-anxiety medication about three months ago. We have seen great improvement in her memory, her anxiety, and her ability to function on her own in her home. She is 86. She continues on a 5mg per day dosage."

• Rocco
• March 13, 2018

"My dad was in advanced stage Alzheimer's, experiencing hallucinations and garbled sentence. He has been on the medication for about 6 weeks and I see a huge improvement. His hallucinations have disappeared along with his garbled sentences. He does experience headaches and lightheadedness. The first week on it he was sleepy and mean, but this subsided. I don't know how long this will last, but I see a marked improvement."

• Sat
• October 30, 2019

"My mom is on memantine and donep for alzheimer's for past 6 months. She is doing well now. In the middle she missed her pill for 1 week and her condition became worse like hallucinations, forgetting family members and not dressing properly. After starting again she recovered. I hope this works on her for long long time."

• MSD
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 5, 2018

"My mother and stepmother both have dementia. My mother was on the Exalon patch and my stepmother is on donepazil and memantine. She started it at stage 4. I see no real positive effects. The side effects are really bad and requires additional medication. I think that this drug may help in the earlier stages. Its very expensive and difficult to give. The extended release is better for the Alzheimer's patients. Not sure I would take it. Causes mood swings."

• Jane
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 26, 2021

"My husband was diagnosed at 54 and a year later he started Memantine, as well as Rivastigmine Patches that he was already taking. He was prescribed from 5 - 20mg over the first month but settled at 5mg as felt dizziness and headaches at 10mg. I did feel like his motivation returned a bit and he was doing very well. He had become quite aggressive over the last few months (bullying really), it has been bad. Then he started taking the tablets alternate days, then decided he wouldn't take anymore. Since he has come off them, his aggression has gone and I am so relieved. I do worry that perhaps his cognitive abilities will reduce but so far, they have improved - he has also started taking a cholesterol tablet however so I can't tell if it's the lack of Memantine or the Pravastatin that is helping - he has started putting the telly on and watched a couple of things - which he hasn't done since soon after the Memantine was introduced. I hope this helps. Free in UK by the way."

• Momon...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 22, 2023

"I am not sure how to update a previous review. My 82-year-old mother is now on a 14 mg ER and is doing much better. This medication made her much more functional but still left her very combative at times. Her neurologist suggested adding Galantamine ER 8 mg, and that combined with the Memantine improved her mood for most of the day. She still has memory issues, but we have avoided needing to have her go to a nursing home, and most times she is enjoyable to be around."

• Dee
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 30, 2018

"My father has been diagnosed with dementia he was gradually getting worse not recognizing us ( his adult children) and not sure which era he was in ( he is 92 years of age) then he started wandering on the road my mum was at her wits end looking after him. Then his doctor prescribed Marixino and it literally has been a complete turn around. He is back over in his garden pottering about, he remembers all our names knows who he is again laughs tell jokes and has his little sarcastic humor back! My brother also has been giving our dad dioralyte for dehydration and movicol to help his bowel movements and a combination of all these seem to have greatly improved dads whole well being."

• Tina
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 28, 2018

Namenda XR (memantine) "My mother was on this for several years when she lived alone. She had increasing anxiety over time to the point of not being suitable to go to a restaurant. I asked her to go off it for a while. The difference in her anxiety off this medication was astounding. She went back on this medication fearing her dementia was worsening off of it. The family physician prescribed Trazadone to counteract the anxiety. Over a two month period her decline was extremely marked. She did not have anxiety but had a huge decline in memory and personality. She is now off of both meds. and has very low anxiety. However, it looks like the decline in memory is permanent. Her psychiatrist told us long ago that these medications do nothing and have some pretty severe side effects."

• R 76 yo
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 2, 2022

"A case study. Taking prescribed 10 mg twice/day with food since early 2019. In mid 2020 (mid COVID-19) I didn't take memantine for 2 months, then realized things were "foggy" and ramped back up in 3 days. In 2 weeks no more fogginess and have kept the dosage since with minor increased dementia. Have had symptoms similar to pre-Alzheimers for probably 20 years or more, now mild or low-moderate dementia--hard to tell because I nearly pass the quick oral tests but forget, fumble for words, multitask poorly, and lose balance. Physically very healthy, abnormally fit (heavy HIIT 3 or 4x/week), neuroscience background, pretty good diet, almost no alcohol, Wordle and NYT crosswords daily. Dementia especially when tired, need food, or stressed."

• Heidi
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 23, 2017

"I was just reviewing this medicine and had about given up on it for my husband. Then I read about the man who has taken it for 5 years and has not had a bad reaction. Dr gave it to my husband because he said it will get more oxygen to the brain. My husband does not have Alzheimers but he was taking medicine for biopolar and his side effect for psychotic drugs was bad neurological conditions. He as been on Memantine for 9 months. He seems to be alright but will I will look for any side effects."

• ARC
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 16, 2024

"I only use it once a day. I was prescribed 10 mg from the start. After reading about it, I am surprised that I was prescribed 10 mg from the start. I am supposed to take it twice daily, but it makes me very dizzy, so I only take it once a day."

• Namenda...
• August 20, 2017

Namenda XR (memantine) "My Mom is 94 years old and has been prescribed Namenda XR once a day for Alzheimer's disease. It has helped her to be quite clear and focused. When our neighbour recently fell and broke her back, Mom asked to find out the name of the rehab facility so she could send her flowers. Mom remembered that in January 2016, she fell and broke her tibila and fibula (leg) and this neighbor sent my Mom an orchid plant, making Mom feel very happy. Mom still forgets current information. Where are we going? To the doctor. 10 minutes later, where are we going? To the doctor. Also this medication is pricey, $162.01!"

• RFano
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 9, 2019

"Started this about 5 weeks ago and take 10mg 2x daily. Using it with 100mg Luvox and 450mg Wellbutrin for OCD. Not too many side effects to date. Work up to the maintenance dose. The Luvox is a different story. Had to go back on Wellbutrin to stay awake. Also using low dose Naltrexone daily. Years of Benzos, alcohol, and Ambien took it's toll on my memory."

• Kyle4uk
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 15, 2016

"Before my seizures my memory was almost perfect after I was lucky if could remember 2 minutes ago. Namenda helped me with one of the effects of the seizures and MS I hated the most it has helped me feel closer to the me before the seizures than any of the medications have. Only negative is the price and I'm fighting an up hill battle trying to get any kind of insurance."

• Coco
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 26, 2024

"I do not note any difference... but then I am also taking Eliquis, sertraline, and metoprolol. I have noted that while the diagnosis of Alzheimer's was awful, I have been consistently upbeat and cheerful."

• Anonymous
• September 19, 2008

Namenda (memantine) "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."

• Anonymous
• February 18, 2012

Namenda (memantine) "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."