Dictionary of Cancer Terms
View in Spanish: Clorhidrato de memantina
Memantine hydrochloride (MEH-mun-teen HY-droh-KLOR-ide)
A drug used to treat dementia caused by Alzheimer disease. It is also being studied in the treatment of side effects from whole-brain radiation therapy for cancer and other conditions. Memantine hydrochloride blocks the uptake of calcium by certain brain cells and decreases their activity. It is a type of N-methyl-D-asparatate (NMDA) receptor antagonist. Also called Namenda.
Source: National Cancer Institute Dictionary of Cancer Terms, available at www.cancer.gov/dictionary.