Drug interactions
Memantine + Sodium citrate / citric acid
Severity: Moderate
Memantine and Sodium citrate / citric acid: moderate interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Citrate is metabolized to bicarbonate and alkalinizes urine, which lowers memantine renal clearance. Higher memantine levels may cause confusion, dizziness or somnolence.
What this interaction means in plain words
Memantine and Sodium citrate / citric acid can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Why it happens
Urinary alkalinization increases passive tubular reabsorption of memantine.
What to do
Monitor for memantine adverse effects and reduce the dose if sustained alkalinization occurs.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Memantine
- Ketamine + Memantine Major
- Acetazolamide + Memantine Moderate
- Aluminum hydroxide + Memantine Moderate
- Amantadine + Memantine Moderate
- Dextromethorphan + Memantine Moderate
- Dofetilide + Memantine Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Memantine with Sodium citrate / citric acid?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Memantine and Sodium citrate / citric acid can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Citrate is metabolized to bicarbonate and alkalinizes urine, which lowers memantine renal clearance. Higher memantine levels may cause confusion, dizziness or somnolence.
How serious is the interaction between Memantine and Sodium citrate / citric acid?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor for memantine adverse effects and reduce the dose if sustained alkalinization occurs.
What other medicines interact with Memantine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Memantine with, for example, Ketamine, Acetazolamide, Aluminum hydroxide. The full list is on the Memantine page.
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