What Are The Active Ingredients In The Namenda Supplement?

Medication treatment for Alzheimer's disease includes a drug called Namenda. Memantine hydrochloride is the generic name for Namenda and the only active ingredient. Specifically, Namenda treats moderate to acute symptoms of dementia associated with Alzheimer's disease. Two of the initial symptoms with Alzheimer's are memory recall and difficulty with visual and spatial skills. Alterations in behavior and personality occur as the disease advances.

Memantine Hydrochloride

Memantine hydrochloride functions by adjusting the action of glutamate. Glutamate, a neurotransmitter, aids the ability of the brain to handle, save and recall information. Glutamate initiates special receptors known as N-Methyl-d-aspartate, or NMDA, to allow limited amounts of calcium to enter nerve cells. Calcium creates the necessary conditions for the storage of information in the brain. Too much glutamate causes excessive stimulation of NMDA receptors. The resulting release of an excess of calcium into the nerve cells causes an interference of cell function and potential cell death. Memantine hydrochloride defends nerve cells from increased levels of glutamate by blocking some NMDA receptors.

Namenda Effects

A small to moderate number of persons taking Namenda experience noteworthy improvement in mental abilities and performance of daily activities. The desired effects include an improvement in attention span, speaking, recall and task completion. Unfortunately, some with a low level of cognition before starting Namenda display no significant improvement in daily living skills or general function.

Dementia

Dementia is not a definite disease, but rather a collection of symptoms altering the mental and social skills needed to accomplish daily living activities. The type of dementia depends on the cause and reflects the condition, disorder or disease affecting the brain. The most familiar type is the dementia associated with Alzheimer's disease. Additional types of dementia include Parkinson's disease, Lewy body dementia, frontotemporal and vascular. Distinguishing the specific type and cause of dementia determines the course of treatment. Alzheimer's disease can only be accurately diagnosed after death with examination of brain tissue for plaque formations and tangles.

Factors

Namenda only treats the symptoms of dementia, but research continues to look for additional treatments and a cure. Namenda is primarily excreted in the urine. Factors that cause the urine to become alkaline, such as kidney diseases, medications and alterations in diet, decrease the elimination of Namenda in the urine. The resulting alkalinized urine increases the level of Namenda, thus increasing the risk of adverse reactions. Common side effects include dizziness, headaches and disorientation.