Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 12, 2026

Vagus Nerve Stimulation As an Adjunctive Neurostimulation Tool in Treatment-resistant Depression
Published on: January 7, 2019
Discontinuation of memantine standard release and its impact on patient therapy
1St. John's University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Queens, New York, USA.
Abstract:
The recently announced discontinuation of Namenda (memantine HCl) and consequent shortage of Namenda XR (memantine HCl extended-release) is a matter that affects physicians, patients with Alzheimer's disease, caregivers, and consultant pharmacists. The manufacturer's announcement to discontinue standard-release product came eight months after the extended-release formulation became available in June 2013. The manufacturer planned to discontinue the standard-release tablets to focus on XR capsules by August 2014, giving patients and their caregivers-who prefer immediate-release formulations-no other options except the oral solution formulation. This article updates pharmacists with the current development on the various pharmacy and therapeutic issues on memantine products. Consultant pharmacists play an important role in educating prescribers and caregivers of the recent changes on this matter. They shall help to ensure proper dosage switching among various formulations. Consultant pharmacists can also help caregivers to identify the most cost-effective options when generic memantine becomes available in the future.
Related Concept Videos
Alzheimer's Disease: Treatment
Antiepileptic Drugs: Potassium Channel Activators
Ezogabine has gained approval as an adjunctive treatment...
Desensitization and Tachyphylaxis
Modified-Release Drug Delivery Systems: Overview
Oral Drug Delivery Systems: Continuous-Release Systems
Cognitive Enhancers: Cholinesterase Inhibitors and NMDA Receptor Antagonists

