Memantine dosing in patients with dementia
Christian Dolder1, Michael Nelson, Jonathan McKinsey
1Wingate University School of Pharmacy, Wingate, NC 28174, USA. cdolder@wingate.edu
Summary
Many dementia patients on memantine are not prescribed the correct dose, especially those needing renal adjustments. Proper memantine dosing is crucial for maximizing safety and effectiveness in dementia care.
Area of Science:
- Geriatric Psychiatry
- Pharmacology
- Neurology
Background:
- Memantine is commonly prescribed for dementia.
- Optimal dosing is essential for therapeutic benefit and minimizing adverse events.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate memantine dosing accuracy in geriatric psychiatry inpatients with dementia.
- To review literature on the necessity of dose adjustment for memantine.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 70 dementia patients receiving memantine over two years.
- Literature review of clinical trials, pharmacokinetic studies, and registry data.
Main Results:
- 27% of patients received inappropriate memantine doses upon admission.
- 60% of patients requiring renal dose adjustment did not receive it.
- Pharmacokinetic data confirm the need for renal memantine dose adjustment.
Conclusions:
- Accurate memantine dosing is vital for dementia patients.
- Ensuring correct dosage maximizes memantine's safety and efficacy.
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