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Joined: 4/15/2012
Posts: 247
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I went to have my namenda refilled and was told that the 10 mg tabs are being discontinued and the 28 mg xR is taking its place. I'm hesitant to make the change and increase the dose without some data that supports it. Is anyone else experiencing this?
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Joined: 12/15/2011
Posts: 18704
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I take two 10 mg tabs. I hadn't heard anything about them being discontinued. I think someone on the Caregiver board mentioned that the 10 mg Namenda tabs were going to become generic.
Iris L.
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Joined: 12/4/2011
Posts: 21306
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I think that was me reporting that the patent was running out..
http://alzheimers.emedtv.com/namenda/generic-namenda.html
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Joined: 12/15/2011
Posts: 18704
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Thanks for the link, jfkoc. I hope this will be good news for us patients. I hope the generic will be equivalent to the brand name product. I don't want to be without my Namenda.
Iris L.
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Joined: 12/6/2011
Posts: 3326
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I take Namenda, too. But I also use the Exelon patch. I was blown away yesterday when I picked up this month's pack of patches and had to pay $150 co-pay. Guess I'm in the Doughnut Hole. Holly Molly! Other than my rent, health care is my biggest expense...and I have a Medicare supplement!
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Joined: 4/15/2012
Posts: 247
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So is anyone taking the XR Namenda?
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Joined: 11/29/2011
Posts: 7027
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Did your insurance change this year?
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Joined: 10/6/2012
Posts: 499
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Hi there! You had just answered a question that has been on my mind.
At my mom's last neurologist visit, the doctor had changed her Namenda prescription to the XR also.
I was stupid not to ask why the change. And ever since, have been kicking myself for not asking. And been telling my husband that at her next appointment, that I will surely ask him.
One thing I have noticed, is that, there is a very noticeable change in my mother!!!! For the better. She is more with it. Actually, initiating conversation with us and her imaginary friends. But, the fact that she is being vocal and has more of an awareness of her surroundings, and has a tremendous amount of memory that has came back to her just amazes me!!!!!!!
I am still going to bring this up with the doctor and let him know that this change in her prescription has been very benificial!!!
~shelley
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Joined: 8/9/2013
Posts: 584
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I just got my Namenda refilled on 27 Feb and I got the 10 mg dose. However, I'm going to check with my Doctor in May and ask about the new Namenda XR 28 mg tabs. I wonder if there are any side affects because of the increased strength?
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Joined: 11/3/2012
Posts: 2308
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Hi: We went to see our neurologist today and she put my Harv on the Namenda 28 mg XR(extended release). She said it is good because it has proven to have a little more benefit than the 10 mg twice a day. She also said he will have to take one Namenda pill in the morning and none at night. We will see what happens. Joan
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Joined: 12/6/2011
Posts: 3326
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Thanks, Shelley and Joan!
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Joined: 4/15/2012
Posts: 247
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I started the namenda XR Monday and all I can say is what the heck it makes me sleepy and gorked out most of the day. It is now after 7 at night and I finally feel like I'm myself not sure if this will wear off or if I need to stop
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Joined: 9/7/2013
Posts: 36
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I have taken Namenda 28mg. xr since oct. 2013. I have had no problems. I also take Exelon 9.5 patch. Went to my neurologist yesterday for 6 month testing. I was told I did better than in the past test. Guess I passed.
Manuel
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Joined: 11/7/2013
Posts: 29
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This is a very confusing issue. One guy says he's been taking Namenda XR since 2013 yet I recently received an email that said it wouldn't be available until August, 2014. I'm going to check with the makers of Namenda to see what's going on! I'll post when I find out!
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Joined: 11/7/2013
Posts: 29
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On the Namenda website they state that the new XR version is already available and that you only need to contact your prescribing physician to get the latest version. I tried to copy the letter they had online but it is not copyable. Go there yourself by typing "Namenda" in the address line on your internet access software command line!
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Joined: 3/4/2014
Posts: 32
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XR enables the manufacturer to keep the price of the medicine high. After a number of years they lose the exclusivity with a drug at a certain dosage (10mg) and it can then be produced generically at greatly reduced price. However, if they change the dose the clock starts again and they get 4-5 more years of high profit. I was told (by neurologist) that the 10mg dose is being phased out and will be unavailable in future. Thus manufacturer is ensured additional profit for that period of time.
All they care about is the money the last thing they would want would be a cure.
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Joined: 12/15/2011
Posts: 18704
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wwkayaker wrote: I was told (by neurologist) that the 10mg dose is being phased out and will be unavailable in future.
This is serious. We all need to look into this. I will ask my neurologist at my next appt., also the pharmacist and the manufacturer.
Iris L.
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Joined: 11/29/2011
Posts: 7027
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The 23 is a slow release. Thus it is continually working. This may account for the improvement seen by some.
Someone said they had problems because they were sleepy. Can it be taken at night?
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Joined: 12/15/2011
Posts: 18704
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The rumors appear to be true. This is what I got from the Namenda website;
Forest has an important update regarding NAMENDA®(memantine HCl).
Forest plans to discontinue the sale of NAMENDA 5 mg and 10 mg tablets on August 15, 2014. This action is not due to any safety or efficacy issue related to NAMENDA tablets. The oral solution of NAMENDA will continue to be available, along with NAMENDA XR® (memantine HCl) extended-release capsules.
http://www.namenda.com/
There are also two PDF letters to providers and caregivers regarding the changeover to Namenda XR.
Iris L.
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Joined: 8/9/2013
Posts: 584
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Great information. Thanks for all the posts and links to websites. At least I now know what to do and ask for at my next clinical visit.
God Bless, Paul
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Joined: 3/7/2012
Posts: 2790
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My DH's neurologist changed him to the XR28 in the Sept. Oct time frame. It's one less pill, yea. DH commented he felt better longer when switched. He has experienced no side effects what so ever.
eagle
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Joined: 12/6/2011
Posts: 3326
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I'm picking up my new prescription for XR 28 this evening. Will let you know how it goes.
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Joined: 12/14/2011
Posts: 1751
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I guess I'll let my wife's new Dr. be the guide when we have her first appointment in July. She is late stage 6 so I'm wondering if a discontinuance of Namenda, and maybe even the Aricept would cause any decline. Always a guessing game.
Remember, we're all in the same boat; and the darn thing leaks!
Bob 
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Joined: 6/21/2012
Posts: 439
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My Md just changes me to Namenda xr 28 from the 20 mg pills (10 mg twice a day) I take it at night because it makes me tired. I don't want weight gain and it says that is a possible side affect. has anyone had any side affects>
he also increased my patch to 13 from 9 .
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Joined: 12/14/2011
Posts: 1751
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Since the patent on Namenda 10 mg is running out, a generic version should be available in about 6 months, sometime after Jan 1, 2015.
I believe that they are getting people on the new, higher dose XR so people will continue to request that. It remains to be seen if Rx insurance will cover the 28 mg XR or will push for use of the generic when it comes out. If nothing else, they may not pay for the 28 mg XR for new patients after 1/1/15. Just my best guess. Did the 23 mg Aricept ever catch on?
Remember, we're all in the same boat; and the darn thing leaks!
Bob
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Joined: 12/15/2011
Posts: 18704
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I can't go from August 15 until January for generic Namenda. I take two 10 mg tablets. I'll see what my neurologist has to tell me tomorrow.
Iris L.
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Joined: 12/6/2011
Posts: 3326
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Iris, I'm looking forward to hearing what your doctor tells you. I started taking the XR28 about 2 weeks ago, and it took me several days to get used to it. I felt drugged up. To tell the truth, I've been experiencing a little dizziness that hasn't gone away, and am beginning to believe that it may be because of the higher dosage. I had been thinking that the dizziness was damage from Alzheimer's, but maybe not.
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Joined: 12/15/2011
Posts: 18704
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I'm not interested in making any unnecessary changes. I'm still feeling sluggish. I hope it's residual from my trip, because that will clear up eventually.
Iris L.
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Joined: 3/27/2014
Posts: 66
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Hello,
For a couple years now, as we have Kaiser, the price was real high. We started to buy online through a Canadian Pharmacy called "Big Mountain Drugs"
Real east to buy through. Look them up online and its very easy to see prices and compare costs. We have been buying the generic "Admenta 10mg 400 pills for a bit over $100
Good luck
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Joined: 12/6/2011
Posts: 3326
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Thanks, Mark. I'll look into it. I just got on the 28mg a few days ago and I don't like how I feel. When I finish the 28mg, I'll go back to the 10 mg twice a day.
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Joined: 12/5/2011
Posts: 795
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Hi to all,
It's ALL about the MONEY!!!
I have been taking 10mg Namenda twice a day for years. This works for me.
I don't want to change anything. My neurologist offered me XR but I refused.
I still feel fine.
The generic should be available when the supply of brand stops.
Peace and Hope,
Lisa
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Joined: 12/6/2011
Posts: 3326
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For what it's worth, my symptoms from the higher dosage have gone away in the last 4 days, so am ambivalent about switching to the 10mg in a.m. and 10mg in p.m., though cost is a factor. Will consider switching when the generic version of the 10mg comes out.
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Joined: 12/15/2011
Posts: 18704
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Apparently, the earliest that generic Namenda could be available is April, 2015. But the brand name Nameda will be discontinued in August, 2014. There will be a long gap in availability. This is not good at all!
See:
http://www.istockanalyst.com/finance/story/6633037/forest-laboratories-inc-frx-will-the-force-switch-of-namenda-xr-be-successful
http://alzheimers.emedtv.com/namenda/generic-namenda.html
It's nice to see you again, Lisa!
Iris L.
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Joined: 6/26/2014
Posts: 8
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My neuro wanted me to try Namenda XR . He gave me the 7 mg for one week then I went to 14 mg, the Namenda made me extremely lethargic, all I wanted to do is lay on the couch, so I quit it altogether. The Namenda was to be taken with the Aircept. Wish I could have stayed even on the 7 mg, but couldn't. Wish you well on it!
Whitehorse1914
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Joined: 12/15/2011
Posts: 18704
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Myriam, how are you doing on the Namenda XR 28mg? Did the dizziness disappear completely?
I had side effects from Exelon patch in the first few days which later disappeared completely.
My two 10mg tabs will run out in a few days and I will switch to the 28mg prescription.
Iris L.
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