Namenda XR Titration Pack

In the U.S.

• Namenda
• Namenda XR
• Namenda XR Titration Pack

Available Dosage Forms:

• Capsule, Extended Release
• Tablet
• Solution

Therapeutic Class: Central Nervous System Agent

Pharmacologic Class: N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptor Antagonist

Memantine is used to treat moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease. Memantine is not a cure for Alzheimer's disease but it can help people with the disease. Memantine will not cure Alzheimer's disease, and it will not stop the disease from getting worse.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

This section provides information on the proper use of a number of products that contain memantine. It may not be specific to Namenda XR Titration Pack. Please read with care.

Take this medicine exactly as directed by your doctor. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered.

This medicine comes with a patient information insert. Read and follow the instructions in the insert carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.

You may take this medicine with or without food.

Swallow the extended-release capsules whole. Do not break, crush, or chew them.

If you cannot swallow the extended-release capsule, you may open it and pour the medicine into a small amount of soft food such as applesauce. Stir this mixture well and swallow it without chewing.

For patients taking the oral liquid:

• Remove the oral dosing syringe along with the cap and plastic tube from the bag and attach to tube to the cap.
• Open the child-resistant cap on the bottle by pushing down on the cap while turning the cap counter-clockwise (to the left) and remove the cap and seal from the bottle.
• Insert the plastic tube fully into the bottle and screw the cap tightly onto the bottle by turning the cap clockwise (to the right).
• Keeping the bottle upright on the table, remove the lid to uncover the opening on the top of the cap. With the plunger fully depressed, insert the tip of the syringe firmly into the opening of the cap.
• While holding the syringe, gently pull the plunger of the syringe up to draw medicine into the syringe.
• Remove the syringe from the cap opening. Invert the syringe (point tip upwards) and slowly press the plunger to a level that pushed out any large air bubbles that may be present. Keep the plunger in this position.
• Re-insert the tip of the syringe into the cap opening. While holding the syringe, continue to gently pull out the plunger until the bottom of the black ring of the plunger reaches the appropriate mark on the syringe that corresponds to the dose prescribed.
• Remove the syringe from the bottle and swallow the oral solution directly from the syringe. Do not mix with any other liquid.
• After use, reseal the bottle by snapping the attached lid closed.
• Rinse the empty syringe by inserting the open end of the syringe into a glass of water, pulling the plunger out to draw in water, and pushing the plunger in to remove the water. Repeat several times. Allow the syringe to air dry.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• For treatment of Alzheimer's disease:
  • For oral dosage form (extended-release capsules):
    • Adults—At first, 7 milligrams (mg) once a day. Your doctor may gradually increase your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 28 mg per day.
    • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
  • For oral dosage form (solution and tablets):
    • Adults—At first, 5 milligrams (mg) once a day. Your doctor may gradually increase your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 10 mg two times a day.
    • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.