Description
How does it work?
Ebixa tablets and oral drops contain
the active ingredient memantine hydrochloride, which is a type of
medicine called an NMDA-receptor antagonist. It is used for treating
Alzheimer’s disease.
There is increasing evidence that memory loss and dementia in
Alzheimer's disease are related to malfunctioning of the signals that
pass messages between the nerve cells in the brain. In particular,
there is evidence that excessive activity of a natural body chemical
called glutamate contributes to the symptoms of Alzheimer’s and the
progression of this disease.
Glutamate acts on receptors called NMDA receptors that are found on
nerve cells in the brain. These receptors and nerve cells are involved
in transmitting nerve messages in the brain that are important in
learning and memory. Glutamate can damage the nerve cells by
excessively stimulating the NMDA receptors.
Memantine works by blocking the NMDA receptors in the brain. This
blocks the excessive activity of glutamate, but still allows the normal
activation of these receptors that occurs when the brain forms a
memory.
Memantine may therefore improve brain functioning in Alzheimer's
disease, and may also block the glutamate activity that could cause
further damage to the brain cells.
Memantine is licensed to treat moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease.
Studies have demonstrated that memantine causes a small improvement or
stabilisation in the cognitive functioning (thinking, learning and
memory) and daily functioning of this group of patients.
What is it used for?
Moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease
Warning!
A doctor will only prescribe this medicine if the patient has a
caregiver available who will regularly make sure that the patient is
taking the medicine.
Moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease will usually make it unsafe
for a person to drive or operate machinery safely. Memantine may also
affect a person's reactivity, hence special care should be taken when
performing potentially hazardous activites.
Substantial changes to a patients diet, for example from a
meat-eating diet to a strict vegetarian diet or vice versa, should be
avoided, as this may affect the removal of this medicine from the body.
If such changes are planned you should inform your doctor, so that the
patient can be monitored and the dose of medicine changed if necessary.
The safety and efficacy of this medicine in children and adolescents under 18 years of age has not been established.
Use with caution in
Decreased kidney function
Epilepsy or people with risk factors for epilepsy
History of convulsions
Condition where urine of normal acidity is not produced due to a
kidney disorder, resulting in accumulation of acidic substances in the
blood (renal tubular acidosis)
Severe infections of the urinary tract with Proteus bacteria
Heart failure
People who have recently had a heart attack
Uncontrolled high blood pressure
Not to be used in
Breastfeeding.
This medicine is not recommended for people with severely decreased kidney function.
This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of
its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have
previously experienced such an allergy.
If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop
using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or
breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks
to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or
planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.
The safety of this medicine for use during pregnancy has not
been established. It is not recommended for use in pregnancy unless
considered essential by your doctor. Seek medical advice from your
doctor.
It is not known whether this medicine passes into breast milk.
Mothers who need to take this medicine should not breastfeed. Seek
medical advice from your doctor.
Side effects
Medicines and their possible
side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The
following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated
with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not
mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any
side effect.
Dizziness
Headache
Constipation
Sleepiness
Fatigue
Vomiting
Confusion
False perceptions of things that are not really there (hallucinations)
Increased tension in the muscles
Anxiety
Increased sex drive (libido)
Inflammation of the urinary bladder, commonly caused by infection (cystitis)
Seizures
The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer.
For more information about any other possible risks
associated with this medicine, please read the information provided
with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.
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