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Memantine (Ebixa)
Memantine is an uncompetitive antagonist of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor that blocks excessive glutamate signaling in the brain.
Memantine is an uncompetitive antagonist of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor that blocks excessive glutamate signaling in the brain. Used for Moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease, Cognitive decline in neurodegenerative disorders.
At a glance
| Generic name | Memantine (Ebixa) |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Ebixa |
| Sponsor | University of Lisbon |
| Drug class | NMDA receptor antagonist |
| Target | NMDA receptor |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Therapeutic area | Neurology |
| Phase | Phase 3 |
Mechanism of action
Memantine selectively blocks NMDA receptor channels in a use-dependent manner, reducing pathological calcium influx caused by chronic glutamate excitotoxicity while preserving physiological NMDA receptor function. This mechanism is thought to protect neurons from damage associated with neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Alzheimer's disease, by moderating abnormal glutamatergic activity without completely blocking normal synaptic transmission.
Approved indications
- Moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease
- Cognitive decline in neurodegenerative disorders
Common side effects
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Constipation
- Confusion
- Hallucinations
Key clinical trials
- Memantine +/- Raloxifene for Cognitive Preservation After Radiation Therapy to the Brain (PHASE2)
- Motor Neurone Disease - Systematic Multi-Arm Adaptive Randomised Trial (PHASE2, PHASE3)
- Pattern Separation in Major Depressive Disorder (PHASE1)
- Targeting Spreading Depolarization After Chronic Subdural Hematoma Surgery (TASD) (EARLY_PHASE1)
- Memantine for the Treatment of Social Deficits in Youth With Disorders of Impaired Social Interactions (PHASE3)
- Memory Avoidance Whole Brain Radiotherapy vs Hippocampal Avoidance Whole Brain Radiotherapy (Athena 2 Trial) (PHASE2)
- Satisfaction With Orodispersible vs Conventional Memantine in Moderate to Severe Alzheimer's Disease (PHASE4)
- Memantine for the Treatment of Cognitive Impairment in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (PHASE2)
Primary sources
Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.
| Source | Used for |
|---|---|
| ClinicalTrials.gov | Trial enrolment, design, endpoints, results |
Competitive intelligence
For the full competitive landscape — auto-detected comparators, recent regulatory actions across the set, upcoming PDUFA, patent timeline, sponsor landscape:
- Memantine (Ebixa) CI brief — competitive landscape report
- Memantine (Ebixa) updates RSS · CI watch RSS
- University of Lisbon portfolio CI