Posted by emme on July 17, 2008, at 17:58:57
In reply to Aricept + Namendas, posted by Crotale on July 15, 2008, at 21:29:38
> Hi folks. I posted this to the Medication board but thought I might be more likely to get a response here. (I tried earlier but it didn't show up on this board.)
>
> Anybody taking Aricept (donepezil) or Namenda (memantine), or ever taken either of these? If so, what side effects do/did you get, if any?Yes, both.
Aricept: great for depression, motivation, and clearing up brain fog. Took a few weeks to kick in. Side effects: nightmares, hot face, and raised liver enzymes. I was willing to put up with the first two, but we pulled the plug when my liver enzymes were raised. (I have been told the liver thing is unusual with this drug.) It's worth giving it a try.
Memantine: Very good for improving depressed mood. Side effects: feelings of loopiness and derealization at 5 mg or higher (I am quite med sensitive). I felt generally unwell on anything above 2.5 mg, at which dose the AD effect was less clear. Ditched it in favor of Abilify.
Good luck.
emme
> I've been considering asking my doc for a script for one of these meds, as they're supposed to prevent cognitive side effects from ECT. (Still haven't gotten any such side effects, but am having trouble cutting back to once-every-2-weeks, and worried about continuing at this frequency.)
>
> TIA,
> -Crotale
poster:emme
thread:839902
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/neuro/20080706/msgs/840242.html