How does Namenda work for migraines?
A drug currently approved for Alzheimer’s disease, Namenda (memantine, Allergan), acts by blocking the brain’s N-methyl-D-aspartate (NDMA) receptor in the brain, therefore attenuating the effects of glutamate, which is thought to play a role in the mechanism of migraine.
Can memantine be used for migraines?
The use of memantine for the prophylaxis of migraines could prove to be an effective treatment. Although memantine is not the first NMDA antagonist used to target migraines, it is one of the first with a low side-effect profile that has been shown to be efficacious.
Does Namenda help with headaches?
Namenda 10 mg – 20 mg a day has been shown to decrease headache frequency significantly in those with chronic migraine.
How long does it take to see results from Namenda?
Studies have shown that most people taking Namenda will start to see symptoms improve within a few months of taking Namenda. In patients with mild to moderate dementia, onset of improvement can start in as early as 14 days.
How long does it take for memantine to work?
For example, it may take several days or even weeks for some symptoms to improve. Memory and other brain functions may slowly improve over several weeks. In some people memantine does not improve memory but slows down the decline in brain functioning seen in Alzheimer’s disease.
Does memantine raise blood sugar?
As with present study, memantine has been reported to have no effect on blood glucose level and serum insulin concentration in normal mice [30]. However, other reports have shown that memantine increased serum insulin and reduced blood glucose level in diabetic and ob/ob mice [25, 30].
What is Namenda and what are the side effects?
Namenda (memantine) reduces the actions of chemicals in the brain that may contribute to the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.
When was Namenda approved for use in Alzheimer’s disease?
Namenda (also called Memantine) was approved by the FDA in 2003 for use in people with “moderate to severe” Alzheimer’s disease or other types of dementia.
Can you take Namenda if you are allergic to memantine?
You should not use Namenda if you are allergic to memantine. To make sure Namenda is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have: a bladder or kidney infection. Namenda is not expected to harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
Can you take Namenda with or without food?
Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Namenda can be taken with or without food. Do not crush, chew, break, or open an extended-release capsule. Swallow it whole.