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Abstract #24388 Published in IGR 11-3
Memantine: A comprehensive review of safety and efficacy
Kavirajan HExpert Opinion on Drug Safety 2009; 8: 89-109
BACKGROUND: Memantine is an uncompetitive antagonist of the N-methyl-D-aspartate glutamate receptor. It is now approved only for treatment of moderate-to-severe Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, as a growing body of evidence indicates that disturbed glutamate neurotransmission may be central to the pathophysiology of such conditions as obesity, schizophrenia, depression, substance abuse, pain disorders and glaucoma, clinical trials have explored the role of memantine in these and other disorders. OBJECTIVE: To provide a comprehensive review of the safety and efficacy of memantine across the range of clinical applications in which it has been studied. METHODS: A search was done on Pubmed using keyword 'memantine' to identify clinical trials of memantine. Results/conclusion: At present, clinical trial evidence supports the use of memantine in only moderate-to-severe AD. Preliminary studies suggest benefit in frontotemporal dementia, alcohol dependence, post-traumatic stress disorder, headache and obesity, but rigorous clinical trials are needed to confirm these results. Available data indicate that across a range of clinical applications, memantine is a safe and well-tolerated drug.
Dr. H. Kavirajan, VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, UCLA, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, 950 South Coast Drive, Ste 202, Los Angeles, CA 92626, USA. hkaviraj@gmail.com
Classification:
11.8 Neuroprotection (Part of: 11 Medical treatment)
11.15 Other drugs in relation to glaucoma (Part of: 11 Medical treatment)
