ATC code: N06DX01
No studies have shown differencs in effect between men and women treated with memantine.
The present evidence concerning differences between men and women is limited and do not motivate differentiation in dosing or treatment.
Following a multiple dose administration of memantine 20 mg twice a day, Cmax and AUC were approximately 45% higher in women than in men. However, there were no differences in Cmax or AUC when body weight was taken into account [1]. In a pharmacokinetic study (34 men, 74 women), men had higher oral clearance (CL/F) [4]. Despite the pharmacokinetic differences of memantine, the clinical studies have shown effect with similar doses in men and women, and no sex differentiation in dosing has been suggested [5].
An American retrospective data analysis investigated the relationship between adherence to oral AD therapy (rivastigmine, donepezil, galantamine or memantine) and other variables. Male AD patients were approximately 18% more likely to be adherent to index oral AD therapy than female patients [7].In a retrospective analysis of effect of memantine with or without vitamin E (15 men, 28 women), no differences between men and women were shown [6].
No studies with a clinically relevant sex analysis regarding adverse effects of memantine have been found.
Regarding teratogenic aspects, please consult Janusmed Drugs and Birth Defects (in Swedish, Janusmed fosterpåverkan).
Updated: 2020-08-28
Date of litterature search: 2013-05-14
Reviewed by: Mia von Euler
Approved by: Karin Schenck-Gustafsson