What Is NAMZARIC
Once-a-day capsule that
works in 2 ways
Pathway 1
Acetylcholinesterase
(a•ce•tyl•cho•lin•es•ter•ase) inhibitors (AChEIs), such as donepezil HCl, are thought to work by slowing the breakdown of a chemical in the brain called acetylcholine. This chemical is involved in learning and memory.
Pathway 2
Glutamate
(glu•ta•mate) receptor blockers, such as
memantine HCI,
may help regulate the
abnormal activity of glutamate—another
chemical in the brain that is important
for learning
and memory.
There is no evidence that NAMZARIC prevents or slows the underlying disease process in patients with AD.
If your loved one has moderate AD and is taking donepezil HCl 10 mg, ask their doctor if NAMZARIC is right for them.
Benefits of NAMZARIC
NAMZARIC may help to improve your loved one’s symptoms
If your loved one with moderate AD is taking donepezil 10 mg, NAMZARIC may:
also known as
mental function
function
worsening of
symptoms for a while
There is no evidence that NAMZARIC prevents or slows the underlying disease process in patients with AD.
Taking NAMZARIC
The convenience of once-a-day dosing
If your loved one with moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease is taking donepezil HCl 10 mg and not currently on memantine HCl,* ask their doctor if NAMZARIC® is right for them.
*NAMENDA® (memantine HCl) twice daily or NAMENDA XR® (memantine HCl).
NAMZARIC can provide combination therapy without having to add more pills†
†The dose will gradually increase from 7 mg/10 mg to
the maximum dose of 28 mg/10 mg over 4 weeks.
(memantine HCl and donepezil HCl)
Your loved one may get started
on NAMZARIC by following this
schedule:
Week 1
7 mg / 10 mg
Week 2
14 mg / 10 mg
Week 3
21 mg / 10 mg
Week 4
28 mg / 10 mg
Taken once daily in the evening.
The dose of NAMZARIC will gradually increase over 4 weeks.
- Your loved one should stay on the same dose for at least 7 days
- This dose should only be increased if the previous dose was well tolerated
- Color-coded capsules help your loved one reach the recommended target dose (28 mg/10 mg once daily)
- For patients with severe renal impairment, NAMZARIC 14 mg/ 10 mg once daily is the highest recommended dose.
Is your loved one currently taking donepezil and memantine?
If your loved one is taking donepezil HCl 10 mg and NAMENDA® (memantine HCl) twice daily or once-a-day NAMENDA XR® (memantine HCl), ask their doctor if NAMZARIC is right for them.
Patients currently
taking Namenda and
donepezil
NAMENDA 10 mg twice daily
and donepezil HCI 10 mg
NAMZARIC 28 mg/10 mg
The doctor may instruct you to transition your loved one directly to once-a-day NAMZARIC
the day after their last dose of NAMENDA 10 mg twice daily and donepezil HCI 10 mg
Patients currently
taking Namenda XR
and donepezil
NAMENDA XR 28 mg once daily
and donepezil HCI 10 mg
NAMZARIC 28 mg/10 mg
The doctor may instruct you to transition your loved one directly to once-a-day NAMZARIC
the day after their last dose of NAMENDA XR 28 mg once daily and donepezil HCI 10 mg
How should NAMZARIC be taken?
- NAMZARIC should be taken with or without food in the evening, just before bedtime, as prescribed by your loved one's doctor
- The capsules should be swallowed whole or opened and sprinkled on applesauce. They should not be divided, crushed, or chewed
- If your loved one misses one dose of NAMZARIC, take only the next dose as scheduled. Do not take 2 doses of NAMZARIC at the same time
Does your loved one have difficulty swallowing medicines?
If your loved one has difficulty swallowing, the capsules may be opened and sprinkled on applesauce. This may make taking medicine easier for your loved one and for you. Just make sure the full dose is taken all at once.
Common Side Effects
What are the possible side effects of NAMZARIC?
NAMZARIC may cause serious side effects, including:
- muscle problems in patients given anesthesia
- slow heartbeat and fainting. This happens more often in people with heart problems. Call the doctor right away
if the patient faints while taking NAMZARIC. - more stomach acid. This raises the chance of ulcers and bleeding especially when taking NAMZARIC. The risk is higher for patients who have had ulcers, or take aspirin
or other NSAIDs.
- nausea and vomiting
- difficulty passing urine
- seizures
- worsening of lung problems in people with asthma
or other lung disease
The most common side effects of memantine HCl include: headache, diarrhea, and dizziness.
The most common side effects of donepezil HCl include: diarrhea, not wanting to eat (anorexia), vomiting, nausea, and bruising.
These are not all the possible side effects of NAMZARIC.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.FDA.gov/medwatch or call 1.800.FDA.1088.
