Memantine And Donepezil
FDA Drug Information • Also known as: Memantine And Donepezil, Memantine And Donepezil Hydrochlorides Extended-Release
- Brand Names
- Memantine And Donepezil, Memantine And Donepezil Hydrochlorides Extended-Release
- Route
- ORAL
- Dosage Form
- CAPSULE, EXTENDED RELEASE
- Product Type
- HUMAN PRESCRIPTION DRUG
Description
11 DESCRIPTION Memantine and donepezil hydrochlorides extended-release capsules contain memantine, an orally active NMDA receptor antagonist, as the hydrochloride salt and donepezil, a reversible inhibitor of the enzyme acetylcholinesterase, as the hydrochloride salt. Memantine Hydrochloride, USP The chemical name for memantine hydrochloride, USP is 1-amino-3,5-dimethyladamantane hydrochloride with the following structural formula: The molecular formula is C 12 H 21 N
What Is Memantine And Donepezil Used For?
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE Memantine and donepezil hydrochlorides extended-release capsules are indicated for the treatment of moderate to severe dementia of the Alzheimer’s type in patients stabilized on 10 mg of donepezil hydrochloride once daily. Memantine and donepezil hydrochlorides extended-release capsules are a combination of memantine hydrochloride, an NMDA receptor antagonist, and donepezil hydrochloride, an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, indicated for the treatment of moderate to severe dementia of the Alzheimer’s type in patients stabilized on 10 mg of donepezil hydrochloride once daily. (1)
Dosage and Administration
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION For patients on donepezil hydrochloride 10 mg only, the recommended starting dose of memantine and donepezil hydrochlorides extended-release capsules is 7 mg/10 mg, taken once daily in the evening. The dose should be increased in 7 mg increments to the recommended maintenance dose of 28 mg/10 mg. The minimum recommended interval between dose increases is one week. (2.1) Patients on memantine hydrochloride (10 mg twice daily or 28 mg extended-release once daily) and donepezil hydrochloride 10 mg once daily can be switched to memantine and donepezil hydrochlorides extended-release capsules 28 mg/10 mg, taken once daily in the evening. (2.1) Memantine and donepezil hydrochlorides extended-release capsules can be taken with or without food, whole or sprinkled on applesauce; do not divide, chew, or crush. (2.2) Severe renal impairment: the recommended maintenance dose for memantine and donepezil hydrochlorides extended-release capsules is 14 mg/10 mg once daily in the evening. (2.3) 2.1 Recommended Dosing The recommended dose of memantine and donepezil hydrochlorides extended-release capsules is 28 mg/10 mg once daily. For patients stabilized on donepezil and not currently on memantine: For patients stabilized on donepezil hydrochloride 10 mg and not currently on memantine hydrochloride, the recommended starting dose of memantine and donepezil hydrochlorides extended-release capsules is 7 mg/10 mg, taken once a day in the evening. The dose should be increased in 7 mg increments of the memantine hydrochloride component to the recommended maintenance dose of 28 mg/10 mg once daily. The minimum recommended interval between dose increases is one week. The dose should only be increased if the previous dose has been well tolerated. The maximum dose is 28 mg/10 mg once daily. For patients stabilized on both donepezil and memantine: Patients stabilized on memantine hydrochloride (10 mg twice daily or 28 mg extended-release once daily) and donepezil hydrochloride 10 mg once daily can be switched to memantine and donepezil hydrochlorides extended-release capsules 28 mg/10 mg, taken once a day in the evening. Patients should start memantine and donepezil hydrochlorides extended-release capsules the day following the last dose of memantine and donepezil hydrochlorides extended-release administered separately. If a patient misses a single dose of memantine and donepezil hydrochlorides extended-release capsules, the next dose should be taken as scheduled, without doubling up the dose. 2.2 Administration Information Memantine and donepezil hydrochlorides extended-release capsules can be taken with or without food. Memantine and donepezil hydrochlorides extended-release capsules can be taken intact or may be opened, sprinkled on applesauce, and swallowed without chewing. The entire contents of each memantine and donepezil hydrochlorides extended-release capsule should be consumed; the dose should not be divided. Except when opened and...
Side Effects (Adverse Reactions)
6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following serious adverse reactions are discussed below and elsewhere in the labeling. Cardiovascular Conditions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] Peptic Ulcer Disease and Gastrointestinal Bleeding [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] Nausea and Vomiting [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] Genitourinary Conditions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ] Seizures [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6) ] Pulmonary Conditions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7) ] The most common adverse reactions, occurring at a frequency of at least 5% and greater than placebo with memantine hydrochloride extended-release 28 mg/day, were headache, diarrhea, and dizziness. (6.1) The most common adverse reactions occurring at a frequency of at least 5% in patients receiving donepezil and at twice or more the placebo rate, include diarrhea, anorexia, vomiting, nausea, and ecchymosis. (6.1) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact AvKARE at 1-855-361-3993 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. Memantine Hydrochloride Memantine hydrochloride extended-release was evaluated in a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in 676 patients with moderate to severe dementia of the Alzheimer’s type (341 patients treated with memantine 28 mg/day dose and 335 patients treated with placebo) for a treatment period up to 24 weeks. Of the patients randomized, 236 treated with memantine 28 mg/day and 227 treated with placebo were on a stable dose of donepezil for 3 months prior to screening. Adverse Reactions Leading to Discontinuation with Memantine Hydrochloride In the placebo-controlled clinical trial of memantine hydrochloride extended-release, the proportion of patients in the memantine hydrochloride extended-release 28 mg/day dose group and in the placebo group who discontinued treatment due to adverse reactions was 10% and 6%, respectively. The most common adverse reaction in the memantine hydrochloride extended-release treated group that led to treatment discontinuation was dizziness, at a rate of 1.5%. Most Common Adverse Reactions with Memantine Hydrochloride The most common adverse reactions with memantine hydrochloride extended-release in patients with moderate to severe Alzheimer’s disease, defined as those occurring at a frequency of at least 5% in the memantine hydrochloride extended-release group and at a higher frequency than placebo, were headache, diarrhea, and dizziness. Table 1 lists adverse reactions that occurred at an incidence of ≥ 2% in the memantine hydrochloride extended-release treated group and occurred at a rate greater than placebo. Table 1: Adverse reactions with memantine hydrochloride extended-release in patients with moderate to severe Alzheimer’s disease Adverse Reaction Placebo (n = 335) % Memantine hydrochloride extended-release 28 mg (n = 341) % Gastrointestinal Disorders Diarrhea 4 5 Constipation 1 3 Abdominal pain 1 2 Vomiting 1 2 Infections and Infestations Influenza 3 4 Investigations Increased weight 1 3 Musculoskeletal and Connective Tissue Disorders Back pain 1 3 Nervous System Disorders Headache 5 6 Dizziness 1 5 Somnolence 1 3 Psychiatric Disorders Anxiety 3 4 Depression 1 3 Aggression 1 2 Renal and Urinary Disorders Urinary incontinence 1 2 Vascular Disorders Hypertension 2 4 Hypotension 1 2 Donepezil hydrochloride Adverse Reactions Leading to Discontinuation with Donepezil Hydrochloride In controlled clinical trials of donepezil hydrochloride, the rate of discontinuation due to adverse reactions for patients treated with donepezil hydrochloride was approximately 12%, compared to 7% for patients treated with placebo. The most common adverse reactions leading to discontinuation, defined...
Drug Interactions
7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Combined use with NMDA antagonists: use with caution. (7.2) Memantine and donepezil hydrochlorides extended-release may interfere with anticholinergic medications. (7.4) Concomitant administration of succinylcholine, similar neuromuscular blocking agents, or cholinergic agonists may lead to synergistic effect. (7.5) 7.1 Use of Memantine with Drugs That Make the Urine Alkaline The clearance of memantine was reduced by about 80% under alkaline urine conditions at pH 8. Therefore, alterations of urine pH towards the alkaline condition may lead to an accumulation of the drug with a possible increase in adverse reactions. Urine pH is altered by diet, drugs (e.g., carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, sodium bicarbonate) and clinical state of the patient (e.g., renal tubular acidosis or severe infections of the urinary tract). Hence, memantine should be used with caution under these conditions. 7.2 Use of Memantine with Other N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) Antagonists The combined use of memantine hydrochloride with other NMDA antagonists (amantadine, ketamine, and dextromethorphan) has not been systematically evaluated and such use should be approached with caution. 7.3 Effect of Other Drugs on the Metabolism of Donepezil Inhibitors of CYP3A4 (e.g., ketoconazole) and CYP2D6 (e.g., quinidine), inhibit donepezil metabolism in vitro . Whether there is a clinical effect of quinidine is not known. Inducers of CYP3A4 (e.g., phenytoin, carbamazepine, dexamethasone, rifampin, and phenobarbital) could increase the rate of elimination of donepezil. 7.4 Use of Donepezil with Anticholinergics Because of their mechanism of action, cholinesterase inhibitors, including donepezil hydrochloride, have the potential to interfere with the activity of anticholinergic medications. 7.5 Use of Donepezil with Cholinomimetics and Other Cholinesterase Inhibitors A synergistic effect may be expected when cholinesterase inhibitors, including donepezil hydrochloride, are given concurrently with succinylcholine, similar neuromuscular blocking agents, or cholinergic agonists such as bethanechol.
Contraindications
4 CONTRAINDICATIONS Memantine and donepezil hydrochlorides extended-release capsules are contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to memantine hydrochloride, donepezil hydrochloride, piperidine derivatives, or to any excipients used in the formulation. Memantine and donepezil hydrochlorides extended-release capsules are contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to memantine hydrochloride, donepezil hydrochloride, piperidine derivatives, or to any excipients used in the formulation. (4)
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary There are no adequate data on the developmental risk associated with the use of memantine and donepezil hydrochlorides extended-release capsules or its active ingredients (memantine hydrochloride and donepezil hydrochloride) in pregnant women. Adverse developmental effects (mortality and decreased body weight and skeletal ossification) were observed in the offspring of rats administered memantine or donepezil during pregnancy at doses associated with minimal maternal toxicity. These doses are higher than those used in humans at the recommended daily dose of memantine and donepezil hydrochlorides extended-release [see Data] . In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2% to 4% and 15% to 20%, respectively. The background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. Data Animal Data Memantine Hydrochloride Oral administration of memantine (2, 6, or 18 mg/kg/day) to rats during the period of organogenesis resulted in decreased skeletal ossification in fetuses at the highest dose tested. The higher no-effect dose for adverse developmental effects (6 mg/kg) is 2 times the dose of memantine at the recommended human daily dose [RHD] of memantine and donepezil hydrochlorides extended-release (28 mg memantine/10 mg donepezil) on a body surface area (mg/m 2 ) basis. Oral administration of memantine to rabbits (3, 10, or 30 mg/kg/day) during the period of organogenesis resulted in no adverse developmental effects. The highest dose tested is approximately 20 times the dose of memantine at the RHD of memantine and donepezil hydrochlorides extended-release on a mg/m 2 basis. In rats, memantine (2, 6, or 18 mg/kg/day) was administered orally prior to and throughout mating and, in females, through the period of organogenesis or continuing throughout lactation to weaning. Decreased skeletal ossification in fetuses and...
Overdosage
10 OVERDOSAGE Memantine hydrochloride and donepezil hydrochloride are the two active ingredients of memantine and donepezil hydrochlorides extended-release. No specific antidote for memantine hydrochloride overdose is known; however, elimination of memantine can be increased by acidification of the urine. Tertiary anticholinergics such as atropine may be used as an antidote for donepezil hydrochloride overdose. In managing cases of overdose, consider the possibility of multiple drug involvement. In case of overdose, call Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222 for the latest recommendation. In general, supportive measures should be utilized, and treatment should be symptomatic. Memantine Hydrochloride Signs and symptoms most often accompanying overdosage with other formulations of memantine in clinical trials and from worldwide marketing experience, alone or in combination with other drugs and/or alcohol, include agitation, asthenia, bradycardia, confusion, coma, dizziness, ECG changes, increased blood pressure, lethargy, loss of consciousness, psychosis, restlessness, slowed movement, somnolence, stupor, unsteady gait, visual hallucinations, vertigo, vomiting, and weakness. The largest known ingestion of memantine worldwide was 2 grams in an individual who took memantine in conjunction with unspecified antidiabetic medications. This person experienced coma, diplopia, and agitation, but subsequently recovered. One patient participating in a memantine hydrochloride extended-release clinical trial unintentionally took 112 mg of memantine hydrochloride extended-release daily for 31 days and experienced an elevated serum uric acid, elevated serum alkaline phosphatase, and low platelet count. No fatalities have been noted with overdoses of memantine alone. A fatal outcome has very rarely been reported when memantine has been ingested as part of overdosing with multiple drugs; in those instances, the relationship between memantine and a fatal outcome has been unclear....
How Supplied
16 HOW SUPPLIED/STORAGE AND HANDLING 16.1 How Supplied Memantine and donepezil hydrochlorides extended-release capsules, 14 mg/10 mg , are supplied as two-piece hard gelatin capsules with green opaque cap and green opaque body filled with white to off-white pellets. Imprinted in white ink AN on the cap and imprinted in white ink 1248 on the body. Memantine and donepezil hydrochlorides extended-release capsules, 28 mg/10 mg , are supplied as two-piece hard gelatin capsules with yellow opaque cap and yellow opaque body filled with white to off-white pellets. Imprinted in black ink AN on the cap and imprinted in black ink 1247 on the body. They are available as follows: Bottle of 30: NDC 73190-004-30 16.2 Storage and Handling Store at 20º to 25°C (68º to 77°F); excursions permitted between 15° to 30ºC (59°F to 86°F) [see USP Controlled Room Temperature]. Dispense in a tight, light-resistant container, as defined in the USP.
About This Information
This drug information is sourced from FDA-approved labeling via the openFDA database. It is intended for educational and reference purposes only. This is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making decisions about medication. Drug information may be updated by the FDA; check with your pharmacist for the most current information.
What are side effects?
Side effects are unwanted reactions that can occur when taking a medication. They range from mild (headache, nausea) to severe (allergic reactions, organ damage). Not everyone experiences side effects, and severity varies. Report any concerning side effects to your doctor.
What are drug interactions?
Drug interactions occur when a medication is affected by another drug, food, or supplement. Interactions can make medications less effective or cause dangerous side effects. Always tell your doctor about all medications and supplements you take.