In English | En español
Questions About Cancer? 1-800-4-CANCER

NCI Drug Dictionary


memantine hydrochloride 
The hydrochloride salt of memantine, a low-affinity, voltage-dependent, noncompetitive N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist. Memantine binds to and inhibits cation channels of glutamanergic NMDA receptors located in the central nervous system (CNS), preventing the prolonged influx of calcium ions and the associated neuronal excitotoxicity, and thereby potentially enhancing cognitive function. Memantine is also a 5-hydroxytryptamine type 3 (5HT3) receptor and nicotinic receptor antagonist. Check for active clinical trials or closed clinical trials using this agent. (NCI Thesaurus)
Synonym:Ebixia
US brand name:Namenda
Chemical structure:1-amino-3,5-dimethyladamantane Hydrochloride