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Effect of Memantine on QT/QTc Interval in a Healthy Korean Population
Jin-Woo Park1, Kyoung-Ah Kim1, Ji-Young Park1
1Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Anam Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Abstract:
Studies on the effects of memantine on QT prolongation have yielded conflicting results. For a long time, memantine was reported to be a safe drug without QT prolongation; however, several case studies have reported memantine-induced QT prolongation in Alzheimer's patients. This study evaluated the relationship between memantine blood levels, and QT interval changes. Over a 2-week period, we orally administered 20 mg of memantine daily to achieve a steady state in 57 healthy Korean subjects. We measured and analyzed the QT interval and blood memantine concentrations simultaneously before and after treatment, as well as 2 weeks after the last dosing. Correlation analysis was done between blood memantine level and QT interval. No serious adverse events occurred during the study period. Repeated dosing of memantine did not show clinically significant QT interval changes after treatment. Regression analysis was performed based on the results; there was no statistical association between memantine blood level and QT prolongation. In conclusion, the results of the present study demonstrated no clinically significant changes in the QT interval with therapeutic blood levels of memantine.
Insights
Memantine, a medication for Alzheimer's disease, was evaluated for its effect on QT prolongation. This study found no significant association between memantine blood levels and QT interval changes in healthy subjects.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Cardiology
- Clinical Trials
Background:
- Conflicting reports exist regarding memantine's effect on QT prolongation, with some suggesting safety and others indicating potential cardiac risks in Alzheimer's patients.
- Previous studies have not definitively established a link between memantine blood concentrations and QT interval changes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between memantine blood levels and QT interval duration.
- To assess the safety of memantine concerning cardiac repolarization in healthy individuals.
Main Methods:
- A 2-week study involving 57 healthy Korean subjects receiving daily oral doses of 20 mg memantine.
- Simultaneous measurement of QT interval and blood memantine concentrations before, during, and after the treatment period.
- Correlation and regression analyses to determine the association between memantine levels and QT prolongation.
Main Results:
- No serious adverse events were reported during the study.
- Repeated memantine dosing did not result in clinically significant QT interval changes.
- Statistical analysis revealed no significant association between memantine blood levels and QT prolongation.
Conclusions:
- Therapeutic blood levels of memantine do not appear to cause clinically significant QT interval prolongation in healthy individuals.
- The findings suggest memantine is safe concerning QT interval duration under the studied conditions.
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