Memantine
Cognitive · NMDA antagonist
Tier A
Bottom line
Read Off Label grades Memantine as A (8.0/10) based on strong evidence, med benefit magnitude, and a low-risk safety profile.
Approved for moderate-to-severe AD; modest effect sizes on ADCS-ADL.
Typical use: 5-20 mg/day PO titrated — Rx.
What this is
Approved for moderate-to-severe AD; modest effect sizes on ADCS-ADL. Off-label uses include augmentation in OCD and neuropathic pain. Nootropic use in healthy individuals poorly studied and not recommended — potential for cognitive blunting at higher doses.
Mechanism
Low-affinity, uncompetitive NMDA receptor antagonist; blocks pathologic tonic glutamate activation while preserving physiologic bursts; also 5-HT3 and nicotinic antagonism
Dose & route
5-20 mg/day PO titrated
Citations
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12867213/
- https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD003154.pub6/full
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2695164/
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Common questions
- Does Memantine work?
- Read Off Label rates the evidence for Memantine as Strong and the benefit magnitude as med, producing an overall grade of A (8.0/10). Approved for moderate-to-severe AD; modest effect sizes on ADCS-ADL.
- Is Memantine safe?
- Memantine has a low risk profile in published human data. Legal status: Rx. This is not medical advice — see the disclaimer.
- What is the typical dose for Memantine?
- 5-20 mg/day PO titrated
- How does Memantine work?
- Low-affinity, uncompetitive NMDA receptor antagonist; blocks pathologic tonic glutamate activation while preserving physiologic bursts; also 5-HT3 and nicotinic antagonism
This is an independent synthesis of published research by a non-clinician. Scores are opinions supported by citations, not prescriptions. See the full disclaimer and methodology for how this score was produced and what it does and doesn't mean.