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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by psychobot5000 on February 2, 2009, at 21:09:48
Hi,
I've been researching memantine (for anxiety, OCD, depression), and found that it seems to be very close to amantadine in most respects. Does anyone know why memantine is being researched and considered for these indications and not its sister drug? Why does memantine get all the attention?
Thanks,
Psychbot
Posted by SLS on February 2, 2009, at 21:27:27
In reply to Memantine vs Amantadine (what difference?), posted by psychobot5000 on February 2, 2009, at 21:09:48
> Hi,
>
> I've been researching memantine (for anxiety, OCD, depression), and found that it seems to be very close to amantadine in most respects. Does anyone know why memantine is being researched and considered for these indications and not its sister drug? Why does memantine get all the attention?
I am not sure of all the reasons. Memantine is a cleaner drug if your are looking for NMDA antagonism. It is also a significantly more potent ligand. It binds to the receptor with greater affinity. Amantadine produces side effects, including psychiatric side effects, that make it less than desirable.
- Scott
Posted by jms600 on February 3, 2009, at 16:09:11
In reply to Memantine vs Amantadine (what difference?), posted by psychobot5000 on February 2, 2009, at 21:09:48
I tried memantine a few years back on an unrelated drug trial. I found that not only did it have some antidepressant properties but it also made me feel much more calmer.
I was also taking Prozac at the time and the two drugs together tended to make me feel a bit 'spaced out' sometimes.
To be honest it's a medication that I would like to try again; however, I really don't think my p/doc would prescribe it.
> Hi,
>
> I've been researching memantine (for anxiety, OCD, depression), and found that it seems to be very close to amantadine in most respects. Does anyone know why memantine is being researched and considered for these indications and not its sister drug? Why does memantine get all the attention?
>
> Thanks,
> Psychbot
Posted by psychobot5000 on February 3, 2009, at 21:28:48
In reply to Re: Memantine vs Amantadine (what difference?) » psychobot5000, posted by jms600 on February 3, 2009, at 16:09:11
> I tried memantine a few years back on an unrelated drug trial. I found that not only did it have some antidepressant properties but it also made me feel much more calmer.
>
> I was also taking Prozac at the time and the two drugs together tended to make me feel a bit 'spaced out' sometimes.
>
> To be honest it's a medication that I would like to try again; however, I really don't think my p/doc would prescribe it.
>
>Hi jms--very interesting post. I was started on memantine yesterday (sorry to hear your p/doc isn't likely to prescribe it), and have so far had much the same experience.
After two doses (10mg), memantine has elevated my mood substantially, for a few hours after each dose (I wonder whether the effect will last). But it also is making me feel 'spaced out' now that I'm partway through day two...detached would be another way to describe it--I'm guessing it's the same thing as you (jms600) describe. I'm hoping it will pass off as I become used to it. On the other hand, as a depressive, I'd certainly like the mood elevation to stay--though I doubt that's terribly likely. My mood already seems to return to baseline within eight hours or so.
Taking memantine to combat my Agomelatine-induced exacerbation of OCD symptoms. If it works for that even a moderate amount, without causing any unacceptable side-effects, I will be very pleased.
And Scott, thanks for the note on Memantine/Amantadine. I think that explains my question--much appreciated.
Psychbot
Posted by psychobot5000 on February 4, 2009, at 15:36:55
In reply to Memantine vs Amantadine (what difference?), posted by psychobot5000 on February 2, 2009, at 21:09:48
Hi--currently titrating taking 5-10mg memantine, and in my third day, the spaciness it's giving me is...bad. Makes it very difficult to function. Can anyone with experience on memantine comment on whether this is likely to fade away (at least partially) with time?
Thanks,
Psychbot
Posted by Sigismund on February 4, 2009, at 16:33:28
In reply to Re: Memantine confusion/spaciness - will it fade?, posted by psychobot5000 on February 4, 2009, at 15:36:55
It's very long acting, isn't it, and therefore is building up in your body.
Are you taking 10mg/d?
If so, you could reduce to 5mg/d.
Posted by jms600 on February 4, 2009, at 17:16:59
In reply to Re: Memantine confusion/spaciness - will it fade?, posted by psychobot5000 on February 4, 2009, at 15:36:55
Hi Psychbot
The spaced-out effect didn't really fade with me, although I was on a higher dose (around 30mg I think). Lowering the dose did help, however. I was also on 40mg Prozac at the time which added to it's adverse effects.
Hope you have some success with it!
> Hi--currently titrating taking 5-10mg memantine, and in my third day, the spaciness it's giving me is...bad. Makes it very difficult to function. Can anyone with experience on memantine comment on whether this is likely to fade away (at least partially) with time?
>
> Thanks,
> Psychbot
Posted by psychobot5000 on February 4, 2009, at 22:39:01
In reply to Re: Memantine confusion/spaciness - will it fade? » psychobot5000, posted by jms600 on February 4, 2009, at 17:16:59
> Hi Psychbot
>
> The spaced-out effect didn't really fade with me, although I was on a higher dose (around 30mg I think). Lowering the dose did help, however. I was also on 40mg Prozac at the time which added to it's adverse effects.
>
> Hope you have some success with it!
>>
Thanks for the well-wishes--yeah, I've already lowered to 5mg (I started the first two days with 10), in order to take it slow--still nervous about whether to continue at all, though. I'm worried about driving while feeling 'spacey' like this...
Posted by desolationrower on February 16, 2009, at 2:46:35
In reply to Re: Memantine confusion/spaciness - will it fade? » jms600, posted by psychobot5000 on February 4, 2009, at 22:39:01
receptor changes and rat studies showed things like memory loss went away after a few weeks, although anxiolytic/activating effects don't. so as long as what you're describing is the more of a memory effect, i'd say yes it will go away.
-d/r
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