NAMENDA XR drug approved by FDA

The Alzheimer's disease drug is now available in US pharmacies.

Forest Laboratories Inc's drug NAMENDA XR, which has been formulated to treat Alzheimer's disease, has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
It has been developed from the NAMENDA medicine, an immediate-release memantine which blocks NMDA receptors in the glutamatergic system, which is involved in cognitive function.
The new version provides a higher 28 mg dose and only needs to be taken once a day due to the extended-release formulation, making it more convenient for patients and carers.
Chief executive and president of the Caregiver Action Network John Schall explained that administering multiple prescriptions can be a "daily challenge" and this development could "lessen the burden".
A randomised clinical trial showed that, alongside acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEl) drugs, NAMENDA XR is more effective than a placebo in moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease.
The condition is the most common form of dementia, and medical intervention helps slow cognitive deterioration and limit symptoms such as memory loss and disorientation.