Dementa XR 14

Introduction
Dementa XR 14 is a medicine used in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. It helps to slow down the progression of moderate to severe Alzheimer’s by improving memory and thinking. This medicine works by blocking a chemical messenger involved in the transmission of nerve signals. Dementa XR 14 is taken by mouth with or without food. However, it is advised to take it at the same time each day to maintain a consistent level of medicine in the blood. If you have missed a dose, take it as soon as you remember. Do not skip any doses and finish the full course of treatment even if you feel better. It is important that this medication is not stopped suddenly without talking to your doctor. Remember to inform the doctor if you have a history of seizures, kidney disease, heart disease, or liver disease. Some common side effects of this medicine include headache, confusion, sleepiness, abnormal liver function tests, balance disorder and shortness of breath. It may also cause dizziness and sleepiness, so do not drive or do anything that requires mental focus until you know how this medicine affects you. This medicine may cause diarrhea, so drink plenty of fluids to keep yourself hydrated.

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Uses of Dementa XR 14
Alzheimer's disease
Side effects of Dementa XR 14
Common
Dizziness
Headache
Confusion
Sleepiness
Diarrhea
Abnormal liver function tests
Balance disorder (loss of balance)
Breathlessness
Pulmonary hypertension (high blood pressure)
Hypersensitivity
How to use Dementa XR 14
Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Dementa XR 14 may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time.
How Dementa XR 14 works
Dementa XR 14 is an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist. Memory loss in Alzheimer’s disease is due to excessive production of glutamate (chemical messenger) in the brain which is mediated by NMDA receptors. Dementa XR 14 works by preventing the action of NMDA receptors and regulates the production of glutamate. involved in the transmission of nerve signals. This is how it prevents memory loss in Alzheimer’s disease.
What if you forget to take Dementa XR 14?
If you miss a dose of Dementa XR 14, skip it and continue with your normal schedule. Do not double the dose.
Quick Tips
You have been prescribed Dementa XR 14 to slow down the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.
It is well tolerated and has lesser side effects as compared to other similar medicines.
Be cautious while driving or doing anything that requires concentration until you know how Dementa XR 14 affects you.
Inform your doctor if you have a history of seizures, kidney disease, heart disease, or liver disease.
Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to conceive, or breastfeeding.
Brief Description
Indication
Alzheimer’s dementia.
Administration
May be taken with or without food.
Adult Dose
Oral Moderate to severe dementia in Alzheimer’s disease Adult: As hydrochloride: Initially, 5 mg daily in the morning for the 1st wk; increase dose wkly in steps of 5 mg. Max: 20 mg daily. Wait for at least 1 wk between dose changes. Doses >10 mg/day should be given in 2 divided doses. Suggested titration: 5 mg daily for >1 wk; 5 mg bid for >1 wk; 15 mg daily given in 5- and 10-mg separated doses for >1 wk; then 10 mg bid. Hepatic impairment Mild or moderate (Child Pugh A/B): No dosage adjustment required Severe (Child Pugh C): Caution

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Renal Dose
Renal impairment: CrCl (ml/min) Dosage Recommendation 5-29 Max: 10 mg daily. 30-49 10 mg daily (after initial dose of 5 mg daily), if well tolerated for at least 7 days, may increase to 20 mg daily.

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Contraindication
Hypersensitivity to memantine or components of the formulation. Severe renal impairment.
Mode of Action
Memantine, a derivative of amantadine, is a noncompetitive N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-receptor antagonist. It affects transmission of glutamate, the primary excitatory neurotransmitter in the CNS. Glutamate may contribute to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease by overstimulating various glutamate receptors resulting in excitotoxicity and neuronal cell death.
Precaution
Renal impairment; epilepsy. Pregnancy and lactation. Closely monitor patients with recent MI, uncompensated CHF, uncontrolled hypertension. Predisposition to convulsions; conditions that increase urinary pH. Lactation: Unknown whether drug is excreted into breast milk; use with caution

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Side Effect
1-10% Dizziness (7%),Confusion (6%),Headache (6%),Constipation (5%),Cough (4%),Hypertension (4%),Backache (3%),Pain (3%),Somnolence (3%),Syncope (3%),Vomiting (3%),Dyspnea (2%),Fatigue (2%) <1% Acute renal failure,Cerebral infarction,Cerebrovascular accident,Deep venous thrombosis,Hepatitis, liver failure,Intracranial hemorrhage,Neuroleptic malignant syndrome,Seizure (including grand mal),Stevens-Johnson syndrome,Transient ischemic attack _ Interaction May increase effects of antimuscarinics and dopaminergics. May reduce effects of antipsychotics and barbiturates. May alter effects of dantrolene, baclofen. Reduced clearance with carbonic anhydrase inhibitors and sodium bicarbonate. Potentially Fatal: Increased risk of adverse effects with amantadine, dextromethorphan or ketamine. _