Tag: Memantine

An estimated 7.2 million Americans age 65 and older are living with Alzheimer's in 2025 [1.7.4]. For those wondering, 'Are there any medications for cognitive decline?', the answer is yes, with significant recent advancements offering new hope [1.3.1].

According to the Alzheimer's Association, medications can temporarily improve dementia symptoms for those with Alzheimer's disease by affecting specific chemical messengers in the brain. This guide will explain what are the three most prescribed drugs for dementia and how they function to help manage symptoms.

While the donepezil-memantine combination is FDA-approved for Alzheimer's disease, the practice of taking galantamine and memantine together is rooted in strong mechanistic and clinical evidence. Targeting two distinct neurotransmitter systems simultaneously offers a synergistic approach to managing cognitive decline.

In a 2024 study, the combined use of donepezil and memantine was found to increase the probability of five-year survival for Alzheimer's patients by 8.3% compared to donepezil alone [1.8.2]. As a key medication in this regimen, it's crucial to understand which expected side effects are associated with memantine.

According to the Alzheimer's Association, millions of people in the United States live with Alzheimer's disease, and its prevalence is projected to increase significantly. For those with moderate to severe symptoms, a doctor may prescribe a combination of two medications, Aricept and memantine, to help manage cognitive and behavioral symptoms.

While memantine is primarily an FDA-approved medication for moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease, its use for Parkinson's disease (PD) is an off-label and less-established area of treatment. Research has explored if and how memantine might address specific cognitive and motor symptoms associated with PD, yielding mixed results and highlighting its limited role in current practice.

Affecting nearly 1 in 7 people globally, migraine is a leading cause of disability [1.9.5]. While not FDA-approved for this purpose, a growing body of evidence explores the question: **is memantine used for migraines?** This Alzheimer's medication is showing promise as an off-label preventive treatment [1.3.1, 1.3.2].

In clinical trials, diarrhea was reported as a side effect in up to 5% of patients taking immediate-release memantine [1.2.1]. While not the most frequent adverse effect, the question of 'Does memantine cause diarrhea?' is a valid concern for patients and caregivers.

According to clinical trial data, somnolence (drowsiness or sleepiness) is a recognized side effect of memantine, affecting between 1% and 10% of patients who take the medication. This article explores why **does memantine 10 mg make you sleepy** for some individuals and offers strategies for management.

Memantine, a medication used for moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease, is available only with a doctor's prescription. This critical fact confirms that **is memantine a prescription drug?** and underscores the importance of medical supervision for its use.