Memantine and donepezil

Combined use with NMDA antagonists: use with caution. ( 7.2 ) NAMZARIC may interfere with anticholinergic medications. ( 7.4 ) Concomitant administration of succinylcholine, similar neuromuscular blocking agents, or cholinergic agonists may lead to synergistic effect. ( 7.5 )

7.1 Use of Memantine with Drugs That Make the Urine Alkaline The clearance of memantine was reduced by about 80% under alkaline urine conditions at pH 8. Therefore, alterations of urine pH towards the alkaline condition may lead to an accumulation of the drug with a possible increase in adverse reactions. Urine pH is altered by diet, drugs (e.g., carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, sodium bicarbonate) and clinical state of the patient (e.g., renal tubular acidosis or severe infections of the urinary tract). Hence, memantine should be used with caution under these conditions.

7.2 Use of Memantine with Other N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) Antagonists The combined use of memantine hydrochloride with other NMDA antagonists (amantadine, ketamine, and dextromethorphan) has not been systematically evaluated and such use should be approached with caution.

7.3 Effect of Other Drugs on the Metabolism of Donepezil Inhibitors of CYP3A4 (e.g., ketoconazole) and CYP2D6 (e.g., quinidine), inhibit donepezil metabolism in vitro . Whether there is a clinical effect of quinidine is not known. Inducers of CYP3A4 (e.g., phenytoin, carbamazepine, dexamethasone, rifampin, and phenobarbital) could increase the rate of elimination of donepezil.

7.4 Use of Donepezil with Anticholinergics Because of their mechanism of action, cholinesterase inhibitors, including donepezil hydrochloride, have the potential to interfere with the activity of anticholinergic medications.

7.5 Use of Donepezil with Cholinomimetics and Other Cholinesterase Inhibitors A synergistic effect may be expected when cholinesterase inhibitors, including donepezil hydrochloride, are given concurrently with succinylcholine, similar neuromuscular blocking agents, or cholinergic agonists such as bethanechol.

8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary There are no adequate data on the developmental risk associated with the use of NAMZARIC or its active ingredients (memantine hydrochloride and donepezil hydrochloride) in pregnant women. Adverse developmental effects (mortality and decreased body weight and skeletal ossification) were observed in the offspring of rats administered memantine or donepezil during pregnancy at doses associated with minimal maternal toxicity. These doses are higher than those used in humans at the recommended daily dose of NAMZARIC [see Data ] . In the U.S.

general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2-4% and 15-20%, respectively. The background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. Data Animal Data Memantine Hydrochloride Oral administration of memantine (2, 6, or 18 mg/kg/day) to rats during the period of organogenesis resulted in decreased skeletal ossification in fetuses at the highest dose tested.

The higher no-effect dose for adverse developmental effects (6 mg/kg) is 2 times the dose of memantine at the recommended human daily dose (RHD) of NAMZARIC (28 mg memantine/10 mg donepezil) on a body surface area (mg/m 2 ) basis. Oral administration of memantine to rabbits (3, 10, or 30 mg/kg/day) during the period of organogenesis resulted in no adverse developmental effects. The highest dose tested is approximately 20 times the dose of memantine at the RHD of NAMZARIC on a mg/m 2 basis. In rats, memantine (2, 6, or 18 mg/kg/day) was administered orally prior to and throughout mating and, in females, through the period of organogenesis or continuing throughout lactation to weaning.

Decreased skeletal ossification in fetuses and decreased body weight in pups were observed at the highest dose tested. The higher no-effect dose for adverse developmental effects (6 mg/kg/day) is 2 times the dose of memantine at the RHD of NAMZARIC on a mg/m 2 basis. Oral administration of memantine (2, 6, or 18 mg/kg/day) to rats from late gestation throughout lactation to weaning, resulted in decreased pup weights at the highest dose tested. The higher no-effect dose (6 mg/kg/day) is approximately 2 times the dose of memantine at the RHD of NAMZARIC on a mg/m 2 basis.

Donepezil Hydrochloride Oral administration of donepezil to rats and rabbits during the period of organogenesis resulted in no adverse developmental effects. The highest doses (16 and 10 mg/kg/day, respectively) were approximately 15 and 7 times, respectively, the dose of…