It is a very painful experience to see our mother, father, or a loved one gradually forget everything due to Alzheimer's disease. They suffer from not being able to do their daily tasks properly, and sometimes not even recognizing us. So, in such cases, we are talking about a special medicine that doctors prescribe to help them improve their memory and attention, as well as to help them carry out their daily tasks.
What is this medicine?
Simply put, this is a combination of two medications. That is, both Donepezil and Memantine are contained in one capsule. It is mainly used to treat dementia caused by Alzheimer's disease. That is, this medicine helps control symptoms such as memory loss, confusion, and difficulty concentrating.
The important thing is that this is not a cure for Alzheimer's disease, but it can make life a little easier for the patient and help improve memory and the ability to perform daily tasks.
Things to tell your doctor before taking this medicine
Before starting this medication, it is extremely important to give your doctor a complete description of your or your patient's health condition. Especially if you have any of the following conditions, you should definitely tell them about them.
| Health status | Description |
|---|---|
| Heart disease | Any type of heart disease, especially an irregular or slow heartbeat. |
| Stomach and intestinal problems | If you have a history of stomach ulcers or intestinal bleeding. |
| Respiratory system diseases | If you have lung diseases like asthma. |
| Kidney or liver disease | If there is any problem with kidney or liver function. |
| Other neurological diseases | If you have had seizures before or have had a head injury. |
| Difficulty urinating | Difficulty urinating or a related medical condition. |
| Allergies | If you have an allergy to Donepezil, Memantine or any other medicine, food, or dye. |
| Pregnancy and breastfeeding | If you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding. |
How should I use this medicine?
It is very important to take this medicine at the right time, exactly as prescribed by the doctor.
- Swallow this capsule with a glass of water.
- It doesn't matter if you take it before or after meals.
- Swallow the capsule whole. Do not chew, crush, or break it.
- If swallowing is difficult: You can carefully open the capsule and mix the entire contents with something cool, such as applesauce, and give it to the patient. However, be careful to swallow the entire mixture at once.
- Even if you feel better, do not stop taking the medication without your doctor's advice.
- Overdose: If you suspect that you have taken more medicine than you think, immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital . Or, immediately take the person to the nearest hospital Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) .
This medicine has been prescribed for your patient only. Do not share it with anyone else for any reason.
What to do if you miss a dose of medicine?
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the scheduled time. Never take a double dose. If you have missed a dose for several days, talk to your doctor before starting again. Your dose may need to be adjusted.
Other drugs that may interact with this medicine (Drug Interactions)
This medicine can cause dangerous reactions when taken with certain other medicines. Therefore, it is very important to tell your doctor about all the medicines you are taking.
| Medicines that should not be taken with this medicine | |
|---|---|
| |
| Other medications that may interact with this medicine (should be used with caution) | |
| |
This list may not be complete, so tell your doctor about all the medications you take, including vitamins, herbal remedies, and supplements.
Things to be careful about when taking medicine
- Regular medical check-ups: Visit the doctor on scheduled days to check on the patient's condition. Tell him/her if the symptoms worsen or if there is no change.
- Drowsiness and dizziness: This medicine may make you feel drowsy and dizzy. Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how this medicine affects you.
- Don't get up too quickly: Especially if you're an elderly person, don't get up suddenly from a sitting position or out of bed. Get up slowly. This will reduce the chance of dizziness and falling.
- Alcohol: Drinking alcohol can make you feel more sleepy and dizzy. So avoid drinking alcohol.
- Surgery: If you are going to undergo any surgery or other medical treatment, be sure to tell the doctor that you are taking this medication.
Possible side effects
Like any medicine, this one can have side effects. Some are serious, some are common.
| Serious side effects that should be reported to the doctor immediately |
|---|
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| Side effects that are usually not serious (but should be reported to the doctor if they persist) |
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How should you store your medicine?
- Keep away from children.
- Store at room temperature (between 15 and 30 degrees Celsius).
- Throw away expired medicine.
Take-Home Message
- Donepezil and Memantine are medications that control the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease, but they do not completely cure the disease.
- Never stop taking this medicine or change the dosage without telling your doctor.
- Be sure to inform your doctor about all other medications, vitamins, and traditional medicines you are taking.
- If you notice any serious side effects, such as signs of stomach bleeding or an abnormally slow heart rate, seek medical advice immediately.
- This medicine may make you drowsy, so avoid driving until you know how it affects you.
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