INTRODUCTION

DONAMEM 5MG is a combination of Donepezil and Memantine which belongs to the group of medicines called Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and NMDA receptor antagonists respectively. It is used to manage moderate to severe dementia caused due to Alzheimer’s disease (Alzheimer’s type dementia) in patients previously manageed with donepezil alone. Alzheimer’s type dementia is a type of brain disease where the dementia (disorder of thoughts, memory, and behaviour) happens due to degeneration of brain cells that carry memories.

Donepezil is an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor. It acts by restoring the levels of a brain chemical called acetylcholine that carries messages within the nerve cells. Memantine is a NMDA receptor antagonist. It acts by suppressing the overactivation of certain brain chemicals (glutamate) that damages the nerve cells. Together, they help in reducing the symptoms of Alzheimer’s type dementia.

Before taking DONAMEM 5MG inform your doctor if you have any liver, kidney, or heart problems. You must also inform your doctor if you have any stomach problems (ulcer or bleeding in the gut), breathing problems (asthma), bladder problems, epilepsy or are severely dehydrated due to excessive sweating, vomiting or diarrhea.

Consult your doctor before taking DONAMEM 5MG if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. DONAMEM 5MG may cause nausea and vomiting during the initial days of therapy. These side effects are unusually temporary and disappears as your body gets used to DONAMEM 5MG. However, consult your doctor if they worsen. Other most common side effects of taking DONAMEM 5MG are headache, dizziness, and loss of appetite.

USES OF DONAMEM 5MG

• Manages moderate to severe Alzheimer’s type dementia

HOW DONAMEM 5MG WORKS

DONAMEM 5MG effectively controls the symptoms of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease by regulating the levels of certain chemical messengers (acetylcholine and glutamate) in the brain. Acetylcholine is a brain chemical which plays an important role in the functions of memory and cognition. Glutamate is another brain chemical that controls brain’s overall excitation. Overactivation of glutamate may cause damage to nerve cells. Alzheimer’s disease is usually characterized by decreased acetylcholine levels and increased glutamate levels in the brain.

DONAMEM 5MG contains two medicines, namely donepezil and memantine. Donepezil acts by restoring the levels of acetylcholine in the brain by blocking the actions of an enzyme called acetylcholinesterase which usually breaks down acetylcholine. Memantine acts by suppressing the overactivation of glutamate in the brain that causes nerve damage. Together, they restore the balance between chemical messengers in the brain, regulates proper transmission of nerve signals and reduces the symptoms of Alzheimer’s type dementia.

DIRECTIONS FOR USE

Take DONAMEM 5MG as directed by your physician. Swallow the medicine with a glass of water. Do not crush or chew the medicine. DONAMEM 5MG can be taken with or without food. Your doctor will decide the correct dose and duration of therapy for you depending upon your age, body weight and disease condition.

SIDE EFFECTS OF DONAMEM 5MG

HOW TO MANAGE SIDE EFFECTS

Nausea and Vomiting:

Take DONAMEM 5MG with or just after meals. Stick to simple meals. Avoid eating oil rich or spicy foods. Consult your doctor if your nausea worsens.

Diarrhea:

Hydrate yourself by drinking plenty of fluids, such as water or fruit juices. Consuming ORS can also be beneficial. Do not self-manage diarrhea on your own. Consult your doctor if your diarrhea becomes uncontrollable.

Headache:

Rest and relax. Keep yourself hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids such as water or electrolytes. Applying a pain-relieving balm on your forehead can be beneficial. Do not consume excessive alcohol, as it could aggravate your headache. Consult your doctor if your headache worsens.

Dizziness:

Try to rest and relax. Get enough sleep. Avoid driving or operating any tools or machines completely while you are feeling dizzy. Do not consume excessive alcohol, as it could aggravate your dizziness. Consult your doctor if your dizziness worsens.

WARNING & PRECAUTIONS

INTERACTIONS

A. Drug-Drug Interaction:

Before taking DONAMEM 5MG inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following:

• carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (used to reduce edema) such as acetazolamide, methazolamide
• sodium bicarbonate (used to manage metabolic acidosis)
• non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (used for pain relief) Ex. aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen
• diuretics or water pills (used to manage edema and hypertension) Ex. furosemide, chlorothiazide
• marijuana (a psychostimulant drug that causes addiction)
• anesthesia (used before surgeries to cause numbness) Ex. lignocaine, bupivacaine, isoflurane, sevoflurane

Overdosage:

If you or anyone else took DONAMEM 5MG excessively, contact your doctor immediately or go to a nearby hospital straight away. Symptoms of overdosage might include passing out or trouble breathing, severe nausea or vomiting, excessive sweating, very slow heartbeat, slow or shallow breathing, seizures, restlessness, hallucinations, and loss of consciousness.

SYNOPSIS

MORE INFORMATION

• Keep DONAMEM 5MG out of reach of children
• Store DONAMEM 5MG at room temperature