Pharmacology · Class
NMDA receptor antagonists (anti-dementia) !
Memantine blocks overactive NMDA glutamate channels. Used in moderate to severe Alzheimer disease; it eases symptoms but does not stop the disease.
Updated 2026-11-01
What they are
Memantine is the anti-dementia drug of this group. It can be used alone or with a cholinesterase inhibitor such as donepezil. Amantadine, a weaker NMDA antagonist, is filed with the antiparkinson drugs.
Mechanism of action
Excess glutamate keeps NMDA channels open and may harm neurons. Memantine is a low-to-moderate affinity, uncompetitive (open-channel) blocker: it enters the open pore and leaves quickly, damping the background noise while sparing normal signalling.
Target: NMDA-type glutamate receptor (channel pore)
Drugs in this class
Test yourself
Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.
What kind of NMDA blocker is memantine?
An uncompetitive, open-channel blocker of low to moderate affinity.
For which stage of Alzheimer disease is memantine indicated?
Moderate to severe dementia.
Which change in urine raises memantine levels?
Alkaline urine (for example with sodium bicarbonate or carbonic anhydrase inhibitors), which slows its excretion.
Educational content on how drugs work; not a prescribing guide and no substitute for a health professional's advice. No doses are given.
Sources: DailyMed - MEMANTINE HYDROCHLORIDE tablet, film coated (DailyMed (U.S. National Library of Medicine), 2026); Memantine: MedlinePlus Drug Information (MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine), 2026); ATCDDD - ATC/DDD Index (WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology, 2026).
Spotted a mistake?We are always improving for the community. Tell us what is wrong and our team will review it.Report a mistake
Representative model, for educational purposes only.