Abstract
Memantine hydrochloride is only the anti-Alzheimer drug blocking the N-methy l-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors, which are the subtypes of glutamate receptors, and has been available in Japan, 2011. Memantine hydrochloride protects neurons by means of suppressing the activation of NMDA receptors by excessive glutamate. Moreover, memantine hydrochloride prevents and suppress the behavioral psychological symptoms of dementia such as aggressiveness and behavioral disturbances. Memantine hydrochloride is not metabolized by CYPs, and quite safe because major side effects are dizziness, constipation, weight loss, headache. Because the mechanism of memantine hydrochloride is different from that of donepezil hydrochloride, memantine can be prescribed with cholinesterase inhibitors. Those reasons indicate that memantine will be one of the major pharmacotherapies of AD.
