View source for Memantine ER/Donepezil

{{MedTemplate
| generic = Memantine ER / Donepezil
| brand = Namzaric
| classes = Combined cholinesterase inhibitor + NMDA antagonist
| uses = <vote slug="alzheimers-use">Moderate-to-severe Alzheimer's dementia</vote>
| starting_dose = For patients already stable on memantine 28 mg/d + donepezil 10 mg/d — switch to one capsule daily of equivalent strength
| preparations = 7/10, 14/10, 21/10, 28/10 mg ER capsules (memantine ER / donepezil)
| fda_max = 28/10 mg/d
| routes = Oral (capsule whole or opened/sprinkled on applesauce)
| onset = Component effects accumulate over weeks
| duration = 24 h
| halflife = ~60–80 h (memantine); ~70 h (donepezil)
| bioavailability = ~100% both components
| pregnancy = Not relevant (geriatric problem)
| legal = Rx-only in US
| mechanism = Donepezil: reversible AChE inhibitor — increases synaptic acetylcholine. Memantine: uncompetitive low-affinity NMDA receptor antagonist — dampens pathological glutamate overactivation while preserving normal synaptic signaling. Targets two distinct mechanisms in Alzheimer's.
| intro = Namzaric is a once-daily fixed-dose combination of memantine ER and donepezil, for patients with moderate-to-severe Alzheimer's already stable on both components. The convenience is real — daily pill burden cut roughly in half. The trade-off is reduced ability to titrate each component independently.
| indications =
| dosing =
| effects =
| pk_absorption = Both ~100% absorbed.
| pk_distribution = Memantine ~45% protein bound; donepezil ~96%.
| pk_metabolism = Memantine: minimal hepatic. Donepezil: CYP2D6, CYP3A4.
| pk_elimination = Memantine: renal (mostly unchanged). Donepezil: renal and hepatic.
| pharmacodynamics =
| interactions = <pharmaInteractions/>
| pregnancy_details =
| monitoring = Cognitive function (MMSE/MoCA); GI tolerability; heart rate (donepezil bradycardia risk); renal function (memantine adjustment).
| counseling = Take in the evening. Capsule may be opened and sprinkled on applesauce. Do not start this combo in patients not already stable on both components.
| anecdotes =
| seealso = [[Memantine]], [[Donepezil]], [[Galantamine]], [[Rivastigmine]]
| references = <references/>
}}

[[Category:Medicines]]