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The Side Effects of Ebixa

Alzheimer's Disease International reports that more than 15 million people worldwide have the disease. Patients with Alzheimer's suffer from dementia, gradually losing memory function over a period of years. Though there is no cure, there are some treatments available which slow its progression. One commonly prescribed drug is memantine, which is sold in Canada and the United Kingdom under the brand name of Ebixa. Despite its effectiveness, Ebixa is not for everyone as it presents several risks for side effects and complications.

  1. Common Side Effects

    • Approximately 7 percent of Ebixa users report dizziness, making this the most common side effect of the drug. Increases in blood pressure, confusion, constipation and coughing are also common, occurring in at least 4 percent of users. Between 2 and 3 percent of patients who take Ebixa experience drowsiness, vomiting, back pain, hallucinations, shortness of breath, generalized body pain and fatigue.

    Other Side Effects

    • Ebixa also causes other side effects in some patients. These effects occur in 1 percent of users or less and are typically not life-threatening. Effects to the skin and eyes include rashes, cataracts and an increased incidence of eye infections, such as conjunctivitis. Neurological and psychiatric side effects of the drug, such as decreased mobility, depression, aggression, lack of coordination and vertigo, occasionally occur. Frequent urination and weight loss are also possible while taking Ebixa.

    Drug Interactions

    • There are some medications that produce unwanted side effects when used in conjunction with Ebixa. For example, cimetidine, quinide and triamterene often increase levels of Ebixa in the body, increasing the likelihood of side effects from the drug. This is also true of nicotine found in cigarettes and other tobacco products. If you use any of these drugs, your doctor may prescribe a different medication for Alzheimer's treatment or alter the dosage of your other medication.

    Risks

    • In addition to minor side effects and the risk of interactions, Ebixa has the potential to cause serious medical complications. The most common complications involve the cardiovascular system and include stroke and the formation of blood clots. In addition, Ebixa occasionally causes seizures in patients, which increase the risk of accidental injury due to falls. Ebixa sometimes causes an increased incidence in fungal infections and pneumonia, which can pose a health risk in elderly patients.

    Considerations

    • Ebixa can cause low birth weights or defects and typically is avoided during pregnancy. In addition, doctors do not prescribe Ebixa for people under the age of 18, though it is rare for children to develop Alzheimer's. Because dietary changes can affect the way your body processes Ebixa in your blood stream, you should not make any large changes to the things you eat, such as switching from a meat-based diet to vegetarianism. Doing so increases your risk of developing serious side effects from the medication. Due to its side effects, your doctor is not likely to prescribe Ebixa if you suffer from epilepsy, heart disease, kidney disorders, urinary tract infections or hypertension.

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