Donepezil+memantine
About Donepezil+memantine
Donepezil+memantine is used to treat Alzheimer's disease (memory loss). Alzheimer's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects the brain.
Donepezil+memantine contains Donepezil and Memantine. It balances the levels of chemical messengers in the brain and helps transmit nerve signals. Thereby, Donepezil+memantine helps treat Alzheimer's disease.
In some cases, you may experience vomiting, weight loss, loss of appetite, dry mouth, dizziness, nausea, diarrhoea, and headache. Most of these side effects of Donepezil+memantine do not require medical attention and resolve over time. However, if the side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
Donepezil+memantine may cause dizziness and sleepiness. So, do not drive a car or operate any machinery that requires mental focus until you know how this medicine affects you. Before using Donepezil+memantine, inform your doctor if you have ever had heart problems, stomach ulcers, epilepsy, or asthma.
Uses of Donepezil+memantine
Medicinal Benefits
- Donepezil+memantine is a combination medicine containing Donepezil and Memantine, used to treat moderate to severe Alzheimer’s disease.
- It helps slow down disease progression and improves memory, awareness, and thinking ability in affected individuals.
- Donepezil is a cholinesterase inhibitor that prevents the breakdown of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter crucial for memory and cognition.
- It enhances communication between nerve cells, improving brain function.
- Memantine works by regulating the activity of glutamate, a neurotransmitter involved in learning and memory.
- It helps reduce symptoms associated with excess glutamate activity, such as confusion and cognitive decline.
- Donepezil+memantine improves cognitive function, memory, and daily functioning in Alzheimer’s patients.
Directions for Use
- Take Donepezil+memantine with or without food, or as advised by a doctor.
- Follow your doctor's instructions on the dosage and timing of this medication to ensure safety.
- Swallow the medicine as a whole with a glass of water.
- Do not crush, break, or chew it.
Storage
Side Effects of Donepezil+memantine
- Vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Dryness in the mouth
- Dizziness
- Weight loss
- Nausea
- Diarrhoea
- Headache
Drug Warnings
- Do not take Donepezil+memantine if you are allergic to Donepezil+memantine or any of its ingredients.
- Donepezil+memantine may cause dizziness and sleepiness. So, do not drive or do anything that requires mental focus until you know how this medicine affects you.
- Before using Donepezil+memantine, inform your doctor if you have ever had heart problems, stomach ulcers, epilepsy, or asthma.
- Donepezil+memantine causes drowsiness. Avoid doing activities that require your complete focus and attention, like driving, when on this drug.
- Avoid consuming alcohol while on this medication, as it can lead to dangerous side effects.
- Consult your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
- Let your doctor know if you are taking any other medicines or have pre-existing medical conditions.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Donepezil+memantine is known to interact with pain killers (aspirin), anticholinergics (donepezil), antiparkinson's disease (amantadine), ketamine, dextromethorphan), anti-fungal (ketoconazole), anti-epilepsy medicines (phenytoin, carbamazepine, phenobarbital), corticosteroid (dexamethasone), anti-tuberculosis medicines (rifampin), stomach ulcer medicines (cimetidine, ranitidine), dopaminergic agonists (bromocriptine).
Drug-Food Interaction: Donepezil+memantine is known to interact with alcohol, as it might increase sleepiness.
Drug-Disease Interaction: Donepezil+memantine is known to interact in patients with kidney or liver disease, asthma, heart disease, history of seizures, stomach ulcers, history of intestinal bleeding, urination problems, or bladder obstruction.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionTaking alcohol, along with Donepezil+memantine, may increase its drowsiness effect and cause excessive sleepiness.
Pregnancy
cautionDonepezil+memantine is a pregnancy category C drug. It is not known whether it will harm the baby. So, take only if prescribed by a doctor.
Breast Feeding
cautionIt is not known whether Donepezil+memantine passes through breast milk or not. So, caution should be exercised if you are breastfeeding.
Driving
unsafeDonepezil+memantine is known to cause drowsiness, so please do not drive a car or operate any machinery which requires mental alertness.
Liver
cautionDonepezil+memantine to be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of liver disease. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor.
Kidney
cautionDonepezil+memantine to be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of kidney disease. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor.
Children
cautionThe safety and efficacy of Donepezil+memantine in children have not been established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Find the humour in your daily life. Try to watch light-hearted shows to help relieve stress.
- You can try increasing your mindfulness by including yoga, meditation, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, and mindfulness-based stress reduction.
- Drink enough water to stay hydrated, and limit or avoid alcohol and caffeine to relieve diarrhoea.
- Include a diet rich in whole grains, vegetables, and fruits. This is a healthier option than eating a lot of simple carbohydrates found in processed foods.
- Reduce your alcohol, caffeine, added sugar, high salt, and high-fat intake.
- You can include antioxidants in your daily diet, like ashwagandha, omega-3 fatty acids, green tea, and lemon balm.
- Try to spend time with your friends and family. Having a strong social network may help you lower your risk of memory loss.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Alzheimer's disease: It is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects the brain. It causes the brain to shrink (atrophy) and brain cells to die. One of the very common causes of Alzheimer's disease is dementia (memory loss), which affects the person's ability to function independently. Very early signs of the disease are forgetting recent events and conversations, and as the disease progresses, it can lead to severe memory impairment.
FAQs
Donepezil+memantine is used to treat Alzheimer's disease (memory loss), a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects the brain.
Donepezil+memantine is a combination medication containing Donepezil and Memantine, which treat Alzheimer's disease. Donepezil works by improving the function of nerve cells in the brain by preventing the breakdown of the chemical acetylcholine. Memantine works by lowering the level of chemicals in the brain which is responsible for causing symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. Together, they balance the levels of chemical messengers in the brain and help transmit nerve signals.
No, it is recommended not to take Donepezil+memantine before surgery as it contains Donepezil, which is a cholinesterase inhibitor and is likely to exaggerate muscle relaxation during anaesthesia. So, please inform your doctor before surgery if you are taking Donepezil+memantine, as he might stop it 2 hours before undergoing surgery.
Yes, the use of Donepezil+memantine can cause diarrhoea. In some cases, the patient may experience diarrhoea. So, please increase the intake of fluids to avoid dehydration. And also do not take any other medicines without speaking to a doctor.
Yes, Donepezil+memantine is known to cause weight loss. So, while taking Donepezil+memantine, you should constantly monitor your body weight to avoid major weight loss.
Taking Donepezil+memantine in more than the recommended dose can cause unpleasant side effects such as dizziness, tremor, agitation, convulsion, coma, nausea, vomiting, changes in heart rhythm, decreased blood pressure, and changes in body fluid/salt balance.
Yes, Alzheimer's disease (memory loss) generally occurs in people who are elderly and aged. So, Donepezil+memantine is safe for the elderly population, but the dose should be given by a doctor depending upon any underlying disease condition you are suffering from. Also, never self-medicate.
Donepezil+memantine may cause side effects like vomiting, weight loss, loss of appetite, dryness in the mouth, dizziness, nausea, diarrhoea, and headache. Most of these side effects of Donepezil+memantine do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
Alzheimer's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects the brain. It causes the brain to shrink (atrophy) and brain cells to die. One of the very common causes of Alzheimer's disease is dementia (memory loss), which affects the person's ability to function independently.
Take Donepezil+memantine preferably just before bedtime or as advised by the doctor.
Donepezil+memantine should be taken for as long as it has been prescribed by the doctor. The doctor will determine the duration of the treatment based on your condition.
Donepezil+memantine can be taken along with my other regular medicines if advised by the doctor. Please consult the doctor before taking other medicines with Donepezil+memantine to prevent any interactions/side effects.
Do not discontinue Donepezil+memantine without consulting your doctor. To treat your condition effectively, keep taking Donepezil+memantine for the prescribed duration.
Store Donepezil+memantine at room temperature, in a dry place. Keep out of sight and reach of children.
Donepezil+memantine is contraindicated if you are allergic to any of its components.
Inform your doctor if you have ever had heart problems, stomach ulcers, epilepsy, or asthma.
Taking more than the recommended dose of Donepezil+memantine may cause an overdose. The symptoms of overdose include slow heart rate, severe dizziness, drowsiness, vomiting, sweating, weakness, trouble walking, agitation, confusion, unusual thoughts or behaviour, hallucinations, fainting, fits, and shallow or weak breathing. If you suspect the patient has taken an overdose or notice signs of overdose, please consult a doctor immediately.
