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Namenda XR
Available by prescription, Namenda XR is licensed for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. It comes in the form of an extended-release capsule, and is only taken once a day. This medication is not suitable for everyone; make sure your healthcare provider is aware of any other medical conditions you may have and any other medications you are taking. Side effects may include diarrhea, headaches, and dizziness.
Namenda XR® (memantine XR) is a prescription medication approved for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. It is a long-acting, once-daily version of an older medication used as an Alzheimer's treatment.
(Click Namenda XR Uses for more information on this topic, including possible off-label uses.)
Namenda XR is made by Forest Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Namenda XR is classified as an NMDA receptor antagonist. "NMDA" stands for N-methyl-D-asparate. It is thought that some of the symptoms of Alzheimer's may be related to changes in NMDA receptors that allow for abnormal, excessive excitation of the receptors by glutamate (a neurotransmitter brain chemical).
Namenda XR works by binding to the NMDA receptor and preventing excessive excitation by glutamate. Currently, no other Alzheimer's medications work like Namenda XR, other than the short-acting version, Namenda.
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD