Patient/caregiver was educated on precautions to be exercised while taking Namenda as follows:
- Caregivers must observe a close watch with the seniors taking namenda, for development of symptoms of UTI, such as, fever, sudden development of altered consciousness, increased frequency, urgency, burning sensation during urination, and foul smelling urine. UTI can contribute significantly to the bladder irritation caused by namenda and make the situation worse. Notify your doctor of any urinary tract or bladder infections immediately. Observing compliance with general hygiene measures and fluid intake recommendations for your seniors can help with preventing UTI.
- Namenda only helps with managing or improving the presenting symptoms of Alzheimer’s, prevent further deterioration of memory, improve the ability to think, and restore functionality and awareness, by affecting the fine balance of chemicals neurotransmitters in the brain and is not a permanent cure. So, continue taking namenda, even if the symptoms improve and you start feeling better. Discontinuing the medication abruptly can result in disruption of this chemical balance in the brain, resulting in further progression of Alzheimer’s and worsening of memory and cognitive skills. Discontinuation on namenda use must only be on your physician’s recommendation.
- As the chemical balance in the brain has to be finely regulated to help prevent worsening of memory, avoid having unpleasant side-effects and toxicity with namenda, and experience feelings of well-being, the dose of namenda needs to be finely regulated, in order to accomplish this goal.
