"Memantine" is one of the drugs that is effective in various forms of dementia and Alzheimer's disease. This drug, which is a derivative of adamant, is available in the form of tablets and drops for oral administration. This medicine is serious, can cause side effects. Therefore, many relatives of patients often ask the doctor to choose an analogue of "Memantine", which is not inferior to it in effect, but is safer.
Drug characteristics
This medicine is most often known as "Akatinol Memantine." Its main active ingredient is memantine hydrochloride. It has a positive effect on the metabolism of brain tissue, relaxes muscles and improves mental activity. As a result of its use, memory improves, physical activity, learning ability increases. Preparations with this composition belong to the group of muscle relaxants, since they normalize the passage of nerve impulses to muscle tissue and block calcium channels.
What effect does the drug have?
Despite the large number of contraindications and side effects, as well as the fact that the drug is sold only by prescription, a fairly common medicine is Memantine. Price, reviews, analogs and features of its action are known to those whose relatives suffer from dementia or Alzheimer's disease. But this drug may have another effect:
- reduces the effects of brain hypoxia, saturates the cells with oxygen;
- improves cerebral circulation, relieves spasms of blood vessels;
- possesses neuroprotective properties, protecting neurons from damage;
- stimulates the nervous system, toning the body and contributing to the activation of mental activity;
- improves memory, ability to concentrate;
- helps to cope with depression, normalizes mood;
- relieves muscle spasms caused by damage to brain neurons.
Indications for use of the drug
Any analogue of "Memantine", like this tool itself, is effective for varying degrees of impaired brain function. This can be expressed in mood swings, decreased memory and concentration, deterioration in intellectual abilities. Most often, this condition is associated with insufficient dopamine production. At any age, diseases may appear in which it is necessary to use Memantine. Analogs, reviews of which indicate their high efficiency, are prescribed in such cases:
- with vascular dementia at any stage of development;
- with Alzheimer's disease;
- with Parkinson's disease;
- in case of decreased memory and learning ability, impaired concentration of attention;
- with cerebral palsy;
- after injuries and strokes leading to spinal spastic syndrome;
- with paraplegia, multiple sclerosis.
"Memantine": instructions for use
The price, reviews, analogues of this drug are familiar to everyone who has a patient with dementia or other similar brain disorders in the family. In this case, the doctor should choose the treatment regimen. But relatives also need instructions for use with the Memantine medicine. Analogs and the drug itself are taken as follows:
- drink tablets with food, without chewing, with plenty of water;
- for maintenance therapy, it is enough to take 1-2 tablets per day;
- treatment should be started with half a tablet per day, gradually increasing the dosage;
- patients over 65 years old are recommended to take at least 2 tablets per day;
- treatment with drops of "Memantine" is prescribed individually: in the first week, 5 mg per day, in the second - 10 mg, in the third - 15-20 mg;
- the dosage of drops on the recommendation of a doctor can be increased to 30 mg per day, and with spastic syndrome - even up to 60 mg;
- for children after a year, it is possible to use the drug only in drops, the dosage of which is set individually, usually at the rate of 0.5 mg per kg of weight per day.
Contraindications to treatment
Any analogue of "Memantine" in tablets containing the same active substances is not recommended for patients under 18 years of age. The effect of these drugs on the brain at this age is still not well understood.
Treatment with any form of the drug is contraindicated in case of congenital galactose intolerance, impaired glucose absorption, during pregnancy and lactation. Individual intolerance to the components of the drug and the occurrence of allergic reactions can also become an obstacle to such therapy.
Caution should be taken "Memantine" and its analogues in pathologies of the kidneys and liver. After all, the excretion of metabolites of the main active substance, which are formed in the liver, occurs through the kidneys. It is recommended to carry out treatment in these cases under the supervision of a doctor and reduce the dosage by half. It is advisable not to prescribe such treatment to patients with epilepsy, arterial hypertension, heart failure, thyrotoxicosis and seizures of unknown etiology.
Side effects of the drug
This serious drug is only available on prescription. With improper administration or self-medication, it can cause negative consequences for the patient. Therefore, even after the appointment of a doctor, instructions for use are mandatory for studying the drug "Memantine". Reviews note the occurrence of such side effects:
- dizziness, labyrinth syndrome, impaired gait;
- headaches, a feeling of heaviness in the head ;
- weakness, increased fatigue;
- convulsions, the appearance of epileptic seizures;
- depression, irritability, hallucinations;
- excited state, insomnia;
- nausea, vomiting, disruption of the intestines, abdominal pain;
- fluctuations in blood pressure, heart failure;
- blockage of blood vessels;
- cystitis and other diseases of the genitourinary system;
- diseases of the upper respiratory tract, shortness of breath;
- susceptibility to viral and fungal infections.
Special instructions for the use of the drug
Rarely, on their own initiative, someone will choose Memantine for treatment. Instructions for use, price, reviews, analogues of it - all this is known mainly to doctors only. Therefore, when prescribing such treatment, it is important to find out all the features of the application.
- The dosage of the drug should be increased gradually, once a week.
- If the patient has an initial degree of pathology, at which he continues to work, during treatment he needs to refrain from driving and other complex mechanisms. After all, any analogue of "Memantine" can cause a weakening of the concentration of attention and a worsening of the reaction.
- It is very important to consider drug interactions, as these drugs do not combine well with other medications. They can enhance the effect of Levodopa and dopamine receptor antagonists, weaken the effect of barbiturates and antipsychotics.
- You can not use "Memantine" and its analogues with "Ketamine", "Phenytoin", "Amantadine", "Quinidine." This can enhance the toxic effects of drugs. It is also forbidden to smoke during treatment, as this increases the level of nicotine in the blood.
- Do not yourself exceed the dosage recommended by your doctor. In this case, it is more likely that side effects will develop.
- Due to changes in the diet or the use of antacids, the elimination of Memantine metabolites from the body can greatly slow down.
Memantine: analogues
The price of these drugs varies depending on the dosage and manufacturer's company from 400 to 2500 rubles. There are analogues of "Memantine" on the active substance. These are Alzeym, Memantal, Memaneir, Memantin Canon, Memikar, Memorel, Noojeron. They have the same spectrum of action and a set of contraindications. The preparations may differ in the presence of additional components or in the concentration of the main active substance. Because of this, there may be different efficiencies for different drugs. Therefore, the decision about which analogue of Memantine to choose for treatment should be made by a doctor in each specific case.
Reviews about the drug
The instruction for use attached to the Memantin preparation warns of the effectiveness of treatment and possible side effects. Price analogues make it more common. But doctors warn that they may be ineffective. Of course, drug treatment should be lengthy. And the original "Memantine" made in Germany costs 1,600 rubles for 30 tablets. Its analogues made in Russia, for example, Memikar or Memorel, are cheaper, but can be perceived differently by the body. Therefore, before choosing a medicine, you should consult your doctor. But in most cases, Memantine itself and its analogues are positive. Patients and their relatives note a significant improvement in their condition, increased performance and mood, the disappearance of muscle spasms and headaches.