What Is Ebixa Used For?

Ebixa contains memantine hydrochloride and is specifically designed to help people with Alzheimer’s disease by protecting important brain receptors.

Primary Uses

Ebixa is used to treat moderately severe to severe Alzheimer’s disease (AD), which can be described as a general decline in all areas of mental ability.

How It Works

Ebixa belongs to a group of medicines called N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists. It works by protecting NMDA receptors in the brain against high levels of the chemical glutamate, which could be the cause of brain degeneration. NMDA receptors are involved in the transmission of nerve signals within the brain, particularly in learning and memory. Ebixa should improve your thinking capacity and your ability to remember.

How to Take Ebixa

Ebixa is taken as a single daily dose and your doctor will gradually increase your dose over several weeks to find the right amount for you.

Dosage Instructions

The standard dose is 20 mg per day. Your doctor will start you on smaller doses which will be gradually increased over three weeks: Week 1 (5 mg per day) – Take half a 10 mg tablet; Week 2 (10 mg per day) – Take one 10 mg tablet; Week 3 (15 mg per day) – Take one and a half 10 mg tablets; From week 4 onwards (20 mg per day) – Take two 10 mg tablets or one 20 mg tablet. Take Ebixa as a single dose at the same time every day, with or without food. Swallow the tablets with water. If you have kidney problems, your doctor will decide upon a dose that suits your condition.

What If You Miss a Dose?

If you miss your dose at the usual time and it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take the next dose when you are meant to. If there is still a long time to go before your next dose, take it as soon as you remember, and then go back to taking it as you would normally. If you are not sure what to do, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Available Tablet Strengths

Side Effects

Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.

Common Side Effects

These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:

• headache
• drug hypersensitivity
• increased blood pressure
• constipation
• shortness of breath
• tiredness
• sleepiness
• sleeplessness or problems sleeping
• dizziness or feeling off balance
• feeling anxious
• diarrhoea
• vomiting or nausea
• loss of appetite
• changes in liver function tests
• conjunctivitis
• fungal infections

Important Warnings

There are certain people who should not take Ebixa and conditions your doctor needs to know about before prescribing this medication.

Who Should Not Take Ebixa

Do not use Ebixa if you are allergic or hypersensitive to memantine hydrochloride or any of the ingredients. Do not use if you have a seizure disorder or any history of seizures (fits or epilepsy). Do not give Ebixa to a child or adolescent under 18 years old.

Medical Conditions to Discuss

Tell your doctor if you have: allergies to any other substances such as foods, preservatives or dyes; a history of epileptic seizures or convulsions; kidney problems; severe bladder infections; severe liver problems; heart or blood vessel problems; high blood pressure; if you smoke; or if you take any medicines for any other condition. Also tell your doctor if you have recently changed your diet, intend to change your diet substantially, or have had drastic changes in diet.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Ebixa is not recommended to be used during pregnancy. Your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits if you are pregnant. It is not known whether Ebixa passes into breast milk. Due to the possibility that their baby might be affected, women taking Ebixa should not breast-feed.

Drug Interactions

Some medicines may interfere with Ebixa and affect how it works. Tell your doctor about all medicines you are taking.

• medicines used to treat stomach cramps or spasms, or travel sickness (anticholinergics)
• atropine (used in some eye drops)
• levodopa, bromocriptine, amantadine and other medicines for Parkinson’s disease
• anticonvulsants and barbiturates (used to treat epilepsy)
• ketamine (an anaesthetic agent)
• medicines used to treat mental and emotional conditions (psychoses or schizophrenia)
• dantrolene and baclofen (used to treat leg cramps or relax muscles)
• dextromethorphan (contained in cough, cold and flu medicines)
• quinidine and procainamide (used to treat irregular heart beat)
• nicotine (contained in patches or gums to treat smoking addiction)
• cimetidine and ranitidine (used to treat stomach ulcers or reflux)
• urinary alkalinisers (used to treat urinary tract infection)
• quinine (used to treat malaria)
• warfarin (used to prevent blood clots)
• hydrochlorothiazide (used to treat hypertension and oedema)

Alcohol & Driving

Ebixa may affect your ability to drive or operate machinery safely.

Driving and Operating Machinery

If you drive a motor vehicle or operate machinery, ask your doctor whether you should continue to do so. Your doctor will discuss with you whether your condition allows you to drive or operate machinery safely. Furthermore, Ebixa may change your reactivity which may make driving or using machinery inappropriate.

Storage

Store Ebixa below 30°C and keep the tablets in the blister pack until it is time to take them. If you take the tablets out of the box or the blister pack they may not keep well. Store it in a cool dry place away from moisture, heat or sunlight. Do not store it in the bathroom or near a sink, or in the car or on window sills. Keep it where young children cannot reach it.

Overdose Information

If you think that you have taken too much Ebixa, you may need urgent medical attention. You should immediately phone the Poisons Information Centre in Australia (13 11 26) or the National Poisons Centre in New Zealand (0800 POISON or 0800 764 766), or contact your doctor, or go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital. You should do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. Symptoms of an overdose may include feeling dizzy, tired or having a headache. You may feel confused and see, feel or hear things that are not there. You could also have a seizure.

Frequently Asked Questions