Raw research findings for this medication. Mostly single studies, not curated or confirmed robust.
Memantine is an NMDA receptor antagonist: it partly blocks glutamate receptors, which is thought to protect nerve cells from excess glutamate signalling without disturbing normal function. It is used for moderate to severe Alzheimer's dementia, alone or with a cholinesterase inhibitor such as donepezil. It is sold as Namenda and Ebixa, among other names.
Memantine is cleared mostly unchanged by the kidneys, with little broken down by the liver. The few gene studies on it looked at NR1I2, a regulator of kidney transporters, for its clearance, and at BCHE for response. The findings come from a few studies, and there is no CPIC or DPWG guideline.
Every published finding on gene variants and Memantine. Upload your DNA file to see which of these rows apply to you.
PharmGKB weighs all studies of a variant and rates how strong the evidence is, from 1A (strongest) to 4.
NR1I2 rs1523130: Level 3. Other: Dementia. 1.
Studies of how quickly the body processes this medication.
Studies of how well it worked in people carrying a variant.
Study findings and evidence levels: PharmGKB (CC BY-SA 4.0). Guidelines: CPIC and DPWG, as bundled in PharmCAT. Most studies were done mainly in people of European ancestry.
More drugs from the same category
Not a prescribing recommendation. This page is educational information about pharmacogenomic research and clinical guidelines - it is not medical or dosing advice, and not a prediction of how any medication will work for you. Never start, stop, or change a medication or dose based on it; talk to your doctor or pharmacist, who can order clinical-grade testing if appropriate.
Content updated September 2026.
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