Analog "Memantine": description, instructions for use and reviews

"Memantine" is one of the medicines 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. The medicine is serious, it can cause side effects. Therefore, many relatives of patients often ask the doctor to pick up an analogue of "Memantine", which is not inferior to the effect, but safer.

Characteristics of the preparation

This drug is known most often under the name "Akatinol Memantine." Its main active ingredient is memantine hydrochloride. It has a positive effect on the metabolism of the brain tissue, relaxes the muscles and improves mental activity. As a result of its application, memory improves, physical activity, ability to learn increases. Preparations with such a composition belong to the group of muscle relaxants, since they normalize the passage of nerve impulses to muscle tissue and block the calcium channels.

What is the effect of the drug

Despite a large number of contraindications and side effects, as well as the fact that the drug is sold only on prescription, Memantine is a fairly common remedy. Price, reviews, analogues and features of its action are known to those who have relatives suffering from dementia or Alzheimer's disease. But this drug can have other effects:

• Reduces the effects of hypoxia of the brain, saturates the cells with oxygen;
• Improves cerebral circulation, relieves spasms of blood vessels;
• Possesses neuroprotective properties, protecting neurons from damage;
• Stimulates the work of the nervous system, toning the body and promoting the activation of mental activity;
• Improves memory, ability to concentrate;
• Helps to cope with depression, normalizes mood;
• Removes muscle spasms caused by damage to the brain neurons.

Indications for the use of the drug

Any analogue of "Memantine", as well as this remedy itself, is effective at varying degrees of disruption of the brain. This can be expressed in mood swings, loss of memory and concentration of attention, deterioration of intellectual abilities. Most often, this condition is associated with inadequate production of dopamine. At any age, there may be diseases in which it is necessary to apply Memantine. Analogues, whose reviews indicate their high effectiveness, are appointed in such cases:

• With vascular dementia at any stage of development;
• Alzheimer's disease;
• With Parkinson's disease;
• In case of a decrease in memory and learning ability, violation of concentration of attention;
• In infantile cerebral palsy;
• After traumas and strokes leading to a spinal spastic syndrome;
• With paraplegia, multiple sclerosis.

Memantine: instructions for use

The price, testimonials, analogues of this drug are familiar to everyone who has a patient with a dementia or other similar brain impairment in the family. The scheme of treatment in this case should choose a doctor. But relatives are also required to study the drug "Memantine" instructions for use. Analogues and the drug itself are taken as follows:

• Tablets to drink while eating, without chewing, squeezed enough water;
• For maintenance therapy, it is enough to take 1-2 tablets per day;
• Begin treatment with a half tablet a day, gradually increasing the dosage;
• Patients over 65 years of age should take at least 2 tablets a day;
• Treatment with drops of "Memantine" is prescribed individually: in the first week of 5 mg per day, the second - 10 mg, in the third - 15-20 mg;
• Dosage drops on the recommendation of a doctor can be increased to 30 mg per day, and with a 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 a rate of 0.5 mg per kg of body weight per day.

Contraindications to treatment

Any analogue of "Memantine" in tablets containing the same active substances is not recommended for patients under the age of 18 years. The effect of these drugs on the brain at this age has not been sufficiently studied.

Contraindicated treatment of any form of the drug with congenital intolerance to galactose, impaired glucose absorption, during pregnancy and lactation. Individual intolerance to the components of the drug and the occurrence of allergic reactions may also become an obstacle to such therapy.

With caution should take "Memantine" and its analogues in the pathology of the kidneys and liver. After 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 to reduce the dosage in half. It is advisable not to prescribe such treatment for patients with epilepsy, arterial hypertension, heart failure, thyrotoxicosis and convulsions of unclear etiology.

Side effects of the drug

This serious drug is only available on prescription. If improperly taken or self-medicated, it can cause negative consequences for the patient. Therefore, even after the appointment of a physician, instruction for the use of Memantine is mandatory. Reviews note the occurrence of such side effects:

• Dizziness, labyrinthine syndrome, gait disturbance;
• 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, bowel disturbance, abdominal pain;
• Fluctuations in blood pressure, heart failure;
• Occlusion of blood vessels;
• Cystitis and other diseases of the genitourinary system;
• Upper respiratory tract diseases, dyspnea;
• Susceptibility to viral and fungal infections.

Special instructions for the use of the drug

Rarely, who on their own initiative chooses Memantine for treatment. Instruction for use, price, reviews, analogues of it - all this is known mainly only to doctors. Therefore, in the appointment of such treatment it is important to find out all the features of the application.

• 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 concentration and a worsening of the reaction.
• It is very important to take into account the drug interaction, as these drugs do not mix well with other medications. They can enhance the action of "Levodopa" and antagonists of dopamine receptors, weaken the effect of barbiturates and neuroleptics.
• You can not use Memantine and its analogues with Ketamine, Phenytoin, Amantadine, Quinidine. This can increase the toxic effects of drugs. It is also forbidden to smoke during treatment, as the level of nicotine rises in the blood.
• Do not exceed the dosage recommended by your doctor yourself. In this case, there is more possibility that side effects will develop.
• Due to changes in diet or the use of antacid preparations, the removal of metabolites of "Memantine" from the body can be greatly slowed down.

Memantine: Analogues

The price of these drugs varies depending on the dosage and firm of the manufacturer from 400 to 2500 rubles. There are analogues of "Memantine" for the active substance. These are "Alzheim", "Memantal", "Memaneine", "Memantine canon", "Memicar", "Memorial", "Noogeron". They have the same spectrum of action and a set of contraindications. Differing preparations may be the presence of additional components or the concentration of the main active substance. Because of this, there may be different efficacy in different drugs. Therefore, a decision on which analogue of "Memantine" to choose for treatment, in each case should be taken by a doctor.

Reviews about the drug

The instruction on the application attached to the Memantine preparation warns about the effectiveness of the treatment and possible side effects. The price of its analogs makes it more common. But doctors warn that they may not be effective. Of course, treatment with the drug should be long. And the original "Memantine" produced in Germany costs 1600 rubles for 30 tablets. Its analogs produced in Russia, for example, "Mémicare" or "Memorial", are cheaper, but can be perceived differently by the body. Therefore, before choosing a medicine, you need to consult a doctor. But in most cases, the "Memantine" itself and its analogs are positive. Patients and their relatives note a significant improvement in the condition, increased efficiency and mood, the disappearance of muscle spasms and headaches.