Ebixa

1

ANNEX I

SUMMARY OF PRODUCT CHARACTERISTICS

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1. NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT

Ebixa 10 mg film-coated tablets
Ebixa 20 mg film-coated tablets

2. QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE COMPOSITION

Each film-coated tablet contains 10 mg of memantine hydrochloride equivalent to 8.31 mg 
memantine.
Each film-coated tablet contains 20 mg of memantine hydrochloride equivalent to 16.62 mg 
memantine.

For the full list of excipients, see section 6.1.

3. PHARMACEUTICAL FORM

Film-coated tablet

Ebixa 10 mg film-coated tablets
Pale yellow to yellow, oval shaped film-coated tablets with breaking line and imprint “1 0” on one 
side and “M M” on the other side. The tablet can be divided into equal doses.

Ebixa 20 mg film-coated tablets
Pale red to grey-red, oval-oblong film-coated tablets with imprint “20” on one side and “MEM” on the 
other side

4. Clinical particulars

4.1 Therapeutic indications

Treatment of adult patients with moderate to severe Alzheimer’s disease.

4.2 Posology and method of administration

Treatment should be initiated and supervised by a physician experienced in the diagnosis and 
treatment of Alzheimer’s dementia.

Posology

Therapy should only be started if a caregiver is available who will regularly monitor the intake of the 
medicinal product by the patient. Diagnosis should be made according to current guidelines. The 
tolerance and dosing of memantine should be reassessed on a regular basis, preferably within three 
months after start of treatment. Thereafter, the clinical benefit of memantine and the patient’s 
tolerance of treatment should be reassessed on a regular basis according to current clinical guidelines. 
Maintenance treatment can be continued for as long as a therapeutic benefit is favourable and the 
patient tolerates treatment with memantine. Discontinuation of memantine should be considered when 
evidence of a therapeutic effect is no longer present or if the patient does not tolerate treatment.

Adults:

Dose titration
The maximum daily dose is 20 mg per day. In order to reduce the risk of undesirable effects, the 
maintenance dose is achieved by upward titration of 5 mg per week over the first 3 weeks as follows:

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Week 1 (day 1-7)
The patient should take half a 10 mg film-coated tablet (5 mg) per day for 7 days.

Week 2 (day 8-14)
The patient should take one 10 mg film-coated tablet (10 mg) per day for 7 days.

Week 3 (day 15-21):
The patient should take one and a half 10 mg film-coated tablets (15 mg) per day for 7 days.

From Week 4 on:
The patient should take two 10 mg film-coated tablets (20 mg) or one 20 mg film-coated tablet per day.

Maintenance dose
The recommended maintenance dose is 20 mg per day.

Elderly
On the basis of the clinical studies, the recommended dose for patients over the age of 65 years is 
20 mg per day (two 10 mg film-coated tablets or one 20 mg film-coated tablet once a day) as described 
above.

Renal impairment
In patients with mildly impaired renal function (creatinine clearance 50 – 80 ml/min) no dose 
adjustment is required. In patients with moderate renal impairment (creatinine clearance 30 –
49 ml/min) daily dose should be 10 mg per day.  If tolerated well after at least 7 days of treatment, the 

dose could be increased up to 20 mg/day according to standard titration scheme. In patients with 
severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance 5 – 29 ml/min) daily dose should be 10 mg per day.

Hepatic impairment
In patients with mild or moderate hepatic impaired function (Child-Pugh A and Child-Pugh B), no 
dose adjustment is needed. No data on the use of memantine in patients with severe hepatic 
impairment are available. Administration of Ebixa is not recommended in patients with severe hepatic 
impairment.

Paediatric population
No data available. 

Method of administration

Ebixa should be administered orally once a day and should be taken at the same time every day. The 
film-coated tablets can be taken with or without food.

4.3 Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1.

4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use

Caution is recommended in patients with epilepsy, former history of convulsions or patients with 
predisposing factors for epilepsy.

Concomitant use of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-antagonists such as amantadine, ketamine or 
dextromethorphan should be avoided. These compounds act at the same receptor system as 
memantine, and therefore adverse reactions (mainly central nervous system (CNS)-related) may be 
more frequent or more pronounced (see also section 4.5).

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Some factors that may raise urine pH (see section 5.2 “Elimination”) may necessitate careful 
monitoring of the patient. These factors include drastic changes in diet, e.g. from a carnivore to a 
vegetarian diet, or a massive ingestion of alkalising gastric buffers. Also, urine pH may be elevated by 
states of renal tubulary acidosis (RTA) or severe infections of the urinary tract with Proteus bacteria. 

In most clinical trials, patients with recent myocardial infarction, uncompensated congestive heart 
failure (NYHA III-IV), or uncontrolled hypertension were excluded. As a consequence, only limited 
data are available and patients with these conditions should be closely supervised.

4.5 Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction

Due to the pharmacological effects and the mechanism of action of memantine the following 
interactions may occur:

 The mode of action suggests that the effects of L-dopa, dopaminergic agonists, and 
anticholinergics may be enhanced by concomitant treatment with NMDA-antagonists such as 
memantine. The effects of barbiturates and neuroleptics may be reduced. Concomitant 
administration of memantine with the antispasmodic agents, dantrolene or baclofen, can modify 
their effects and a dose adjustment may be necessary.

 Concomitant use of memantine and amantadine should be avoided, owing to the risk of 
pharmacotoxic psychosis. Both compounds are chemically related NMDA-antagonists. The 
same may be true for ketamine and dextromethorphan (see also section 4.4). There is one 
published case report on a possible risk also for the combination of memantine and phenytoin.

 Other active substances such as cimetidine, ranitidine, procainamide, quinidine, quinine and 
nicotine that use the same renal cationic transport system as amantadine may also possibly 
interact with memantine leading to a potential risk of increased plasma levels.

 There may be a possibility of reduced serum level of hydrochlorothiazide (HCT) when 
memantine is co-administered with HCT or any combination with HCT.

 In post-marketing experience, isolated cases with international normalized ratio (INR) increases 
have been reported in patients concomitantly treated with warfarin. Although no causal 
relationship has been established, close monitoring of prothrombin time or INR is advisable for 
patients concomitantly treated with oral anticoagulants.

In single-dose pharmacokinetic (PK) studies in young healthy subjects, no relevant active substance-
active substance interaction of memantine with glyburide/metformin or donepezil was observed.

In a clinical study in young healthy subjects, no relevant effect of memantine on the pharmacokinetics 
of galantamine was observed.

Memantine did not inhibit CYP 1A2, 2A6, 2C9, 2D6, 2E1, 3A, flavin containing monooxygenase, 
epoxide hydrolase or sulphation in vitro.

4.6 Fertility, pregnancy and lactation

Pregnancy
There are no or limited amount of data from the use of memantine in pregnant women. Animal studies 
indicate a potential for reducing intrauterine growth at exposure levels, which are identical or slightly 
higher than at human exposure (see section 5.3). The potential risk for humans is unknown. 
Memantine should not be used during pregnancy unless clearly necessary.

Breast-feeding
It is not known whether memantine is excreted in human breast milk but, taking into consideration the 
lipophilicity of the substance, this probably occurs. Women taking memantine should not breast-feed.

Fertility
No adverse reactions of memantine were noted on male and female fertility.

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4.7 Effects on ability to drive and use machines

Moderate to severe Alzheimer’s disease usually causes impairment of driving performance and 
compromises the ability to use machinery. Furthermore, Ebixa has minor to moderate influence on the 
ability to drive and use machines such that outpatients should be warned to take special care.

4.8 Undesirable effects

Summary of the safety profile
In clinical trials in mild to severe dementia, involving 1,784 patients treated with Ebixa and 1,595 
patients treated with placebo, the overall incidence rate of adverse reactions with Ebixa did not differ 
from those with placebo; the adverse reactions were usually mild to moderate in severity. The most 
frequently occurring adverse reactions with a higher incidence in the Ebixa group than in the placebo 
group were dizziness (6.3% vs 5.6%, respectively), headache (5.2% vs 3.9%), constipation (4.6% vs 
2.6%), somnolence (3.4% vs 2.2%) and hypertension (4.1% vs 2.8%).

Tabulated list of adverse reactions 
The following Adverse Reactions listed in the Table below have been accumulated in clinical studies 
with Ebixa and since its introduction in the market. 

Adverse reactions are ranked according to system organ class, using the following convention: very 
common (≥1/10), common (≥1/100 to < 1/10), uncommon (≥ 1/1,000 to < 1/100), rare (≥1/10,000 to < 
1/1,000), very rare (< 1/10,000), not known (cannot be estimated from the available data). Within each 
frequency grouping, undesirable effects are presented in order of decreasing seriousness.

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SYSTEM ORGAN CLASS FREQUENCY ADVERSE REACTION

Infections and infestations Uncommon Fungal infections

Immune system disorders Common Drug hypersensitivity

Psychiatric disorders Common Somnolence

Uncommon Confusion

Uncommon Hallucinations1

Not known Psychotic reactions2

Nervous system disorders Common Dizziness

Common Balance disorders

Uncommon Gait abnormal

Very rare Seizures

Cardiac disorders Uncommon Cardiac failure

Vascular disorders Common Hypertension

Uncommon Venous 
thrombosis/thromboembolism 

Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal 
disorders

Common Dyspnoea

Gastrointestinal disorders Common Constipation

Uncommon Vomiting

Not known Pancreatitis2

Hepatobiliary disorders Common Elevated liver function test

Not known Hepatitis

General disorders and administration 
site conditions

Common Headache

Uncommon Fatigue
1 Hallucinations have mainly been observed in patients with severe Alzheimer’s disease.
2 Isolated cases reported in post-marketing experience.

Alzheimer’s disease has been associated with depression, suicidal ideation and suicide. In post-
marketing experience these reactions have been reported in patients treated with Ebixa.

Reporting of suspected adverse reactions
Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is
important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. 
Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the national 
reporting system listed in Appendix V

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7

4.9 Overdose

Only limited experience with overdose is available from clinical studies and post-marketing 
experience.

Symptoms
Relative large overdoses (200 mg and 105 mg/day for 3 days, respectively) have been associated with 
either only symptoms of tiredness, weakness and/or diarrhoea or no symptoms. In the overdose cases 
below 140 mg or unknown dose the patients revealed symptoms from central nervous system 
(confusion, drowsiness, somnolence, vertigo, agitation, aggression, hallucination, and gait disturbance) 
and/or of gastrointestinal origin (vomiting and diarrhoea).

In the most extreme case of overdose, the patient survived the oral intake of a total of 2000 mg 
memantine with effects on the central nervous system (coma for 10 days, and later diplopia and 
agitation). The patient received symptomatic treatment and plasmapheresis. The patient recovered 
without permanent sequelae.

In another case of a large overdose, the patient also survived and recovered. The patient had received 
400 mg memantine orally. The patient experienced central nervous system symptoms such as 
restlessness, psychosis, visual hallucinations, proconvulsiveness, somnolence, stupor, and 
unconsciousness.

Treatment
In the event of overdose, treatment should be symptomatic. No specific antidote for intoxication or 
overdose is available. Standard clinical procedures to remove active substance material, e.g. gastric 
lavage, carbo medicinalis (interruption of potential entero-hepatic recirculation), acidification of urine, 
forced diuresis should be used as appropriate.

In case of signs and symptoms of general central nervous system (CNS) overstimulation, careful 
symptomatic clinical treatment should be considered.

5. PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES

5.1 Pharmacodynamic properties

Pharmacotherapeutic group: Psychoanaleptics. Other Anti-dementia drugs, ATC code: N06DX01. 

There is increasing evidence that malfunctioning of glutamatergic neurotransmission, in particular at 
NMDA-receptors, contributes to both expression of symptoms and disease progression in 
neurodegenerative dementia.

Memantine is a voltage-dependent, moderate-affinity uncompetitive NMDA-receptor antagonist. It 
modulates the effects of pathologically elevated tonic levels of glutamate that may lead to neuronal 
dysfunction.

Clinical studies
A pivotal monotherapy study in a population of patients suffering from moderate to severe
Alzheimer’s disease (mini mental state examination (MMSE) total scores at baseline of 3 - 14) 
included a total of 252 outpatients. The study showed beneficial effects of memantine treatment in 
comparison to placebo at 6 months (observed cases analysis for the clinician´s interview based 
impression of change (CIBIC-plus): p=0.025; Alzheimer’s disease cooperative study – activities of 
daily living (ADCS-ADLsev): p=0.003; severe impairment battery (SIB): p=0.002).

A pivotal monotherapy study of memantine in the treatment of mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease 
(MMSE total scores at baseline of 10 to 22) included 403 patients. Memantine-treated patients showed 
a statistically significantly better effect than placebo-treated patients on the primary endpoints: 

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Alzheimer’s disease assessment scale (ADAS-cog) (p=0.003) and CIBIC-plus (p=0.004) at week 24 
(last observation carried forward (LOCF)). In another monotherapy study in mild to moderate 
Alzheimer’s disease a total of 470 patients (MMSE total scores at baseline of 11-23) were randomised. 
In the prospectively defined primary analysis statistical significance was not reached at the primary 
efficacy endpoint at week 24.

A meta-analysis of patients with moderate to severe Alzheimer’s disease (MMSE total scores < 20) 
from the six phase III, placebo-controlled, 6-month studies (including monotherapy studies and studies 
with patients on a stable dose of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors) showed that there was a statistically 
significant effect in favour of memantine treatment for the cognitive, global, and functional domains. 
When patients were identified with concurrent worsening in all three domains, results showed a 
statistically significant effect of memantine in preventing worsening, as twice as many placebo-treated 
patients as memantine-treated patients showed worsening in all three domains (21% vs. 11%, 
p0.0001).

5.2 Pharmacokinetic properties

Absorption
Memantine has an absolute bioavailability of approximately 100%. Tmax is between 3 and 8 hours. 
There is no indication that food influences the absorption of memantine.

Distribution
Daily doses of 20 mg lead to steady-state plasma concentrations of memantine ranging from 70 to 
150 ng/ml (0.5 - 1 µmol) with large interindividual variations. When daily doses of 5 to 30 mg were 
administered, a mean cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)/serum ratio of 0.52 was calculated. The volume of 
distribution is around 10 l/kg. About 45% of memantine is bound to plasma-proteins.

Biotransformation 
In man, about 80% of the circulating memantine-related material is present as the parent compound.
Main human metabolites are N-3,5-dimethyl-gludantan, the isomeric mixture of 4- and 6-hydroxy-
memantine, and 1-nitroso-3,5-dimethyl-adamantane. None of these metabolites exhibit NMDA-
antagonistic activity. No cytochrome P 450 catalysed metabolism has been detected in vitro.

In a study using orally administered 14C-memantine, a mean of 84% of the dose was recovered within 
20 days, more than 99% being excreted renally.

Elimination
Memantine is eliminated in a monoexponential manner with a terminal t½ of 60 to 100 hours. In 
volunteers with normal kidney function, total clearance (Cltot) amounts to 170 ml/min/1.73 m² and part 
of total renal clearance is achieved by tubular secretion. 

Renal handling also involves tubular reabsorption, probably mediated by cation transport proteins. The 
renal elimination rate of memantine under alkaline urine conditions may be reduced by a factor of 7 to 
9 (see section 4.4). Alkalisation of urine may result from drastic changes in diet, e.g. from a carnivore 
to a vegetarian diet, or from the massive ingestion of alkalising gastric buffers.

Linearity
Studies in volunteers have demonstrated linear pharmacokinetics in the dose range of 10 to 40 mg.

Pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic relationship
At a dose of memantine of 20 mg per day the CSF levels match the ki-value (ki = inhibition constant) 
of memantine, which is 0.5 µmol in human frontal cortex.

5.3 Preclinical safety data

In short term studies in rats, memantine like other NMDA-antagonists have induced neuronal 
vacuolisation and necrosis (Olney lesions) only after doses leading to very high peak serum 

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concentrations. Ataxia and other preclinical signs have preceded the vacuolisation and necrosis. As the 
effects have neither been observed in long term studies in rodents nor in non-rodents, the clinical 
relevance of these findings is unknown. 

Ocular changes were inconsistently observed in repeat dose toxicity studies in rodents and dogs, but 
not in monkeys. Specific ophthalmoscopic examinations in clinical studies with memantine did not 
disclose any ocular changes.

Phospholipidosis in pulmonary macrophages due to accumulation of memantine in lysosomes was 
observed in rodents. This effect is known from other active substances with cationic amphiphilic 
properties. There is a possible relationship between this accumulation and the vacuolisation observed 
in lungs. This effect was only observed at high doses in rodents. The clinical relevance of these 
findings is unknown.

No genotoxicity has been observed following testing of memantine in standard assays. There was no 
evidence of any carcinogenicity in life long studies in mice and rats. Memantine was not teratogenic in 
rats and rabbits, even at maternally toxic doses, and no adverse effects of memantine were noted on 
fertility. In rats, foetal growth reduction was noted at exposure levels, which are identical or slightly 
higher than at human exposure.

6. PHARMACEUTICAL PARTICULARS

6.1 List of excipients

Tablet cores for 10/20 mg film-coated tablets:
Microcrystalline cellulose
Croscarmellose sodium
Colloidal anhydrous silica
Magnesium stearate

Tablet coat for 10/20 mg film-coated tablets:
Hypromellose
Macrogol 400
Titanium dioxide 

Additional for 10 mg film-coated tablets:
Iron oxide yellow

Additional for 20 mg film-coated tablets:
Irion oxide yellow and red

6.2 Incompatibilities

Not applicable.

6.3 Shelf life

4 years.

6.4 Special precautions for storage

This medicinal product does not require any special storage conditions.

6.5 Nature and contents of container

Blister: PVDC/PE/PVC/Al-blister or PP/Al-blister 

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Ebixa 10 mg film-coated tablets:
Pack sizes of 14, 28, 30, 42, 50, 56, 70, 84, 98, 100,112 film-coated tablets.

Multipack containing 980 (10 packs of 98) and 1000 (20 packs of 50) film-coated tablets.

Perforated unit dose blister: PVDC/PE/PVC/Al-blister or PP/Al-blister
Pack sizes 49 x 1, 56 x1, 98 x 1 and 100 x 1 film-coated tablets .

Ebixa 20 mg film-coated tablets:
Pack sizes of 14, 28, 42,  56, 70, 84, 98, 112 film-coated tablets.

Multipack containing 840 (20 x 42) film-coated tablets 

Perforated unit dose blister: PVDC/PE/PVC/Al-blister or PP/Al-blister
Pack sizes 49 x 1, 56 x1, 98 x 1 and 100 x 1 film-coated tablets

Not all pack sizes may be marketed.

6.6 Special precautions for disposal

No special requirements.

7. MARKETING AUTHORISATION HOLDER

H. Lundbeck A/S
Ottiliavej 9
2500 Valby
Denmark

8. MARKETING AUTHORISATION NUMBER(S) 

EU/1/02/219/001-003
EU/1/02/219/007-012
EU/1/02/219/014-021
EU/1/02/219/023-035
EU/1/02/219/037-049

9. DATE OF FIRST AUTHORISATION/RENEWAL OF THE AUTHORISATION

Date of first authorisation: 15 May 2002
Date of latest renewal: 15 May 2007

10. DATE OF REVISION OF THE TEXT

MM/YYYY

Detailed information on this medicinal product is available on the website of the European Medicines 
Agency (EMA) http://www.ema.europa.eu

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1. NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT

Ebixa 5 mg/pump actuation oral solution.

2. QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE COMPOSITION

Each pump actuation delivers 0.5 ml of solution which contains 5 mg of memantine hydrochloride 
which is equivalent to 4.16 mg memantine 

Excipients with known effect:
Each millilitre of solution contains 100 mg sorbitol (E420) and 0.5 mg potassium, see section 4.4.

For the full list of excipients, see section 6.1.

3. PHARMACEUTICAL FORM

Oral solution.
The solution is clear and colourless to light yellowish.

4. Clinical particulars

4.1 Therapeutic indications

Treatment of adult patients with moderate to severe Alzheimer’s disease.

4.2 Posology and method of administration

Treatment should be initiated and supervised by a physician experienced in the diagnosis and 
treatment of Alzheimer’s dementia.

Posology

Therapy should only be started if a caregiver is available who will regularly monitor the intake of the 
medicinal product by the patient. Diagnosis should be made according to current guidelines. The 
tolerance and dosing of memantine should be reassessed on a regular basis, preferably within three 
months after start of treatment. Thereafter, the clinical benefit of memantine and the patient’s 
tolerance of treatment should be reassessed on a regular basis according to current clinical guidelines. 
Maintenance treatment can be continued for as long as a therapeutic benefit is favourable and the 
patient tolerates treatment with memantine. Discontinuation of memantine should be considered when 
evidence of a therapeutic effect is no longer present or if the patient does not tolerate treatment.

Adults

Dose titration
The maximum daily dose is 20 mg once daily. In order to reduce the risk of undesirable effects, the
maintenance dose is achieved by upward titration of 5 mg per week over the first 3 weeks as follows:

Week 1 (day 1-7)
The patient should take 0.5 ml solution (5 mg) equivalent to one pump actuation per day for 7 days.

Week 2 (day 8-14)
The patient should take 1 ml solution (10 mg) equivalent to two pump actuations per day for 7 days.

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Week 3 (day 15-21)
The patient should take 1.5 ml solution (15 mg) equivalent to three pump actuations per day for 7 days.

From Week 4 on
The patient should take 2 ml solution (20 mg) equivalent to four pump actuations once a day.

Maintenance dose
The recommended maintenance dose is 20 mg per day.

Elderly
On the basis of the clinical studies, the recommended dose for patients over the age of 65 years is 
20 mg per day (2 ml solution, equivalent to four pump actuations) as described above.

Renal impairment
In patients with mildly impaired renal function (creatinine clearance 50 – 80 ml/min) no dose 
adjustment is required. In patients with moderate renal impairment (creatinine clearance 30 –
49 ml/min) daily dose should be 10 mg (1 ml solution, equivalent to two pump actuations). If 

tolerated well after at least 7 days of treatment, the dose could be increased up to 20 mg/day according 
to standard titration scheme. In patients with severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance 5 –
29 ml/min) daily dose should be 10 mg (1 ml solution, equivalent to two pump actuations) per day. 

Hepatic impairment
In patients with mild or moderate hepatic impaired function (Child-Pugh A and Child-Pugh B), no 
dose adjustment is needed. No data on the use of memantine in patients with severe hepatic 
impairment are available. Administration of Ebixa is not recommended in patients with severe hepatic 
impairment.

Paediatric population
No data are available.

Method of administration

Ebixa should be taken orally once daily at the same time each day. The solution can be taken with or
without food. The solution must not be poured or pumped into the mouth directly from the bottle or 
the pump, but should be dosed onto a spoon or into a glass of water using the pump. 

For detailed instructions on the preparation and handling of the product see section 6.6.

4.3 Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1.

4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use

Caution is recommended in patients with epilepsy, former history of convulsions or patients with 
predisposing factors for epilepsy.

Concomitant use of other N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-antagonists such as amantadine, ketamine 
or dextromethorphan should be avoided. These compounds act at the same receptor system as 
memantine, and therefore adverse reactions (mainly central nervous system (CNS)-related) may be 
more frequent or more pronounced (see also section 4.5).

Some factors that may raise urine pH (see section 5.2 “Elimination”) may necessitate careful 
monitoring of the patient. These factors include drastic changes in diet, e.g. from a carnivore to a 
vegetarian diet, or a massive ingestion of alkalising gastric buffers. Also, urine pH may be elevated by 
states of renal tubulary acidosis (RTA) or severe infections of the urinary tract with Proteus bacteria. 

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13

In most clinical trials, patients with recent myocardial infarction, uncompensated congestive heart 
failure (NYHA III-IV), or uncontrolled hypertension were excluded. As a consequence, only limited 
data are available and patients with these conditions should be closely supervised.

Excipients: The oral solution contains sorbitol. Patients with rare hereditary problems of fructose 
intolerance should not take this medicine. 

4.5 Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction

Due to the pharmacological effects and the mechanism of action of memantine the following 
interactions may occur:

 The mode of action suggests that the effects of L-dopa, dopaminergic agonists, and 
anticholinergics may be enhanced by concomitant treatment with NMDA-antagonists such as 
memantine. The effects of barbiturates and neuroleptics may be reduced. Concomitant 
administration of memantine with the antispasmodic agents, dantrolene or baclofen, can modify 
their effects and a dose adjustment may be necessary.

 Concomitant use of memantine and amantadine should be avoided, owing to the risk of 
pharmacotoxic psychosis. Both compounds are chemically related NMDA-antagonists. The 
same may be true for ketamine and dextromethorphan (see also section 4.4). There is one 
published case report on a possible risk also for the combination of memantine and phenytoin.

 Other active substances such as cimetidine, ranitidine, procainamide, quinidine, quinine and 
nicotine that use the same renal cationic transport system as amantadine may also possibly 
interact with memantine leading to a potential risk of increased plasma levels.

 There may be a possibility of reduced serum level of hydrochlorothiazide (HCT) when 
memantine is co-administered with HCT or any combination with HCT.

 In post-marketing experience, isolated cases with international normalized ratio (INR) increases 
have been reported in patients concomitantly treated with warfarin. Although no causal 
relationship has been established, close monitoring of prothrombin time or INR is advisable for 
patients concomitantly treated with oral anticoagulants.

In single-dose pharmacokinetic (PK) studies in young healthy subjects, no relevant active substance-
active substance interaction of memantine with glyburide/metformin or donepezil was observed.

In a clinical study in young healthy subjects, no relevant effect of memantine on the pharmacokinetics 
of galantamine was observed.

Memantine did not inhibit CYP 1A2, 2A6, 2C9, 2D6, 2E1, 3A, flavin containing monooxygenase, 
epoxide hydrolase or sulphation in vitro.

4.6 Fertility, pregnancy and lactation

Pregnancy
There are no or limited amount of data from the use of memantine in pregnant women. Animal studies 
indicate a potential for reducing intrauterine growth at exposure levels, which are identical or slightly 
higher than at human exposure (see section 5.3). The potential risk for humans is unknown. 
Memantine should not be used during pregnancy unless clearly necessary.

Breast-feeding
It is not known whether memantine is excreted in human breast milk but, taking into consideration the 
lipophilicity of the substance, this probably occurs. Women taking memantine should not breast-feed.

Fertility
No adverse reactions of memantine were noted on male and female fertility.

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4.7 Effects on ability to drive and use machines

Moderate to severe Alzheimer’s disease usually causes impairment of driving performance and 
compromises the ability to use machinery. Furthermore, Ebixa has minor or moderate influence on the 
ability to drive and use machines such that outpatients should be warned to take special care.

4.8 Undesirable effects

Summary of the safety profile
In clinical trials in mild to severe dementia, involving 1,784 patients treated with Ebixa and 1,595 
patients treated with placebo, the overall incidence rate of adverse reactions with Ebixa did not differ 
from those with placebo; the adverse reactions were usually mild to moderate in severity. The most 
frequently occurring adverse reactions with a higher incidence in the Ebixa group than in the placebo 
group were dizziness (6.3% vs 5.6%, respectively), headache (5.2% vs 3.9%), constipation (4.6% vs 
2.6%), somnolence (3.4% vs 2.2%) and hypertension (4.1% vs 2.8%).

Tabulated list of adverse reactions 
The following Adverse Reactions listed in the Table below have been accumulated in clinical studies 
with Ebixa and since its introduction in the market. 

Adverse reactions are ranked according to system organ class, using the following convention: very 
common (≥ 1/10), common (≥1/100 to < 1/10), uncommon (≥ 1/1,000 to < 1/100), rare (≥1/10,000 to 
< 1/1,000), very rare (< 1/10,000), not known (cannot be estimated from the available data). Within 
each frequency grouping, undesirable effects are presented in order of decreasing seriousness.

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SYSTEM ORGAN CLASS FREQUENCY ADVERSE REACTION

Infections and infestations Uncommon Fungal infections

Immune system disorders Common Drug hypersensitivity

Psychiatric disorders Common Somnolence

Uncommon Confusion

Uncommon Hallucinations1

Not known Psychotic reactions2

Nervous system disorders Common Dizziness

Common Balance disorders

Uncommon Gait abnormal

Very rare Seizures

Cardiac disorders Uncommon Cardiac failure

Vascular disorders Common Hypertension

Uncommon Venous 
thrombosis/thromboembolism 

Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal 
disorders

Common Dyspnoea

Gastrointestinal disorders Common Constipation

Uncommon Vomiting

Not known Pancreatitis2

Hepatobiliary disorders Common Elevated liver function test

Not known Hepatitis

General disorders and administration 
site conditions

Common Headache

Uncommon Fatigue
1 Hallucinations have mainly been observed in patients with severe Alzheimer’s disease.
2 Isolated cases reported in post-marketing experience.

Alzheimer’s disease has been associated with depression, suicidal ideation and suicide. In post-
marketing experience these reactions have been reported in patients treated with Ebixa.

Reporting of suspected adverse reactions
Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is
important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. 
Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the national 
reporting system listed in Appendix V

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16

4.9 Overdose

Only limited experience with overdose is available from clinical studies and post-marketing 
experience.

Symptoms
Relative large overdoses (200 mg and 105 mg/day for 3 days, respectively) have been associated with 
either only symptoms of tiredness, weakness and/or diarrhoea or no symptoms. In the overdose cases 
below 140 mg or unknown dose the patients revealed symptoms from central nervous system 
(confusion, drowsiness, somnolence, vertigo, agitation, aggression, hallucination and gait disturbance) 
and/or of gastrointestinal origin (vomiting and diarrhoea).

In the most extreme case of overdose, the patient survived the oral intake of a total of 2000 mg 
memantine with effects on the central nervous system (coma for 10 days, and later diplopia and 
agitation). The patient received symptomatic treatment and plasmapheresis. The patient recovered 
without permanent sequelae.

In another case of a large overdose, the patient also survived and recovered. The patient had received 
400 mg memantine orally. The patient experienced central nervous system symptoms such as 
restlessness, psychosis, visual hallucinations, proconvulsiveness, somnolence, stupor, and 
unconsciousness.

Treatment
In the event of overdose, treatment should be symptomatic. No specific antidote for intoxication or 
overdose is available. Standard clinical procedures to remove active substance material, e.g. gastric 
lavage, carbo medicinalis (interruption of potential entero-hepatic recirculation), acidification of urine, 
forced diuresis should be used as appropriate.

In case of signs and symptoms of general central nervous system (CNS) overstimulation, careful 
symptomatic clinical treatment should be considered.

5. PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES

5.1 Pharmacodynamic properties

Pharmacotherapeutic group: Psychoanaleptics. Other Anti-dementia drugs, ATC code: N06DX01.

There is increasing evidence that malfunctioning of glutamatergic neurotransmission, in particular at 
NMDA-receptors, contributes to both expression of symptoms and disease progression in 
neurodegenerative dementia.

Memantine is a voltage-dependent, moderate-affinity uncompetitive NMDA-receptor antagonist. It 
modulates the effects of pathologically elevated tonic levels of glutamate that may lead to neuronal 
dysfunction.

Clinical studies 
A pivotal monotherapy study in a population of patients suffering from moderate to severe
Alzheimer’s disease (mini mental state examination (MMSE) total scores at baseline of 3 - 14) 
included a total of 252 outpatients. The study showed beneficial effects of memantine treatment in 
comparison to placebo at 6 months (observed cases analysis for the clinician’s interview based 
impression of change (CIBIC-plus): p=0.025; Alzheimer’s disease cooperative study – activities of the 
daily living (ADCS-ADLsev): p=0.003; severe impairment battery (SIB): p=0.002).

A pivotal monotherapy study of memantine in the treatment of mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease 
(MMSE total scores at baseline of 10 to 22) included 403 patients. Memantine-treated patients showed 

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a statistically significantly better effect than placebo-treated patients on the primary endpoints: 
Alzheimer’s disease assessment scale (ADAS-cog) (p=0.003) and CIBIC-plus (p=0.004) at week 24 
(last observation carried forward (LOCF)). In another monotherapy study in mild to moderate 
Alzheimer’s disease a total of 470 patients (MMSE total scores at baseline of 11-23) were randomised. 
In the prospectively defined primary analysis statistical significance was not reached at the primary 
efficacy endpoint at week 24.

A meta-analysis of patients with moderate to severe Alzheimer’s disease (MMSE total scores < 20) 
from the six phase III, placebo-controlled, 6-month studies (including monotherapy studies and studies 
with patients on a stable dose of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors) showed that there was a statistically 
significant effect in favour of memantine treatment for the cognitive, global, and functional domains. 
When patients were identified with concurrent worsening in all three domains, results showed a 
statistically significant effect of memantine in preventing worsening, as twice as many placebo-treated 
patients as memantine-treated patients showed worsening in all three domains (21% vs. 11%, 
p0.0001).

5.2 Pharmacokinetic properties

Absorption 
Memantine has an absolute bioavailability of approximately 100%. Tmax is between 3 and 8 hours. 
There is no indication that food influences the absorption of memantine.

Distribution 
Daily doses of 20 mg lead to steady-state plasma concentrations of memantine ranging from 70 to 
150 ng/ml (0.5 - 1 µmol) with large interindividual variations. When daily doses of 5 to 30 mg were 
administered, a mean cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)/serum ratio of 0.52 was calculated. The volume of 
distribution is around 10 l/kg. About 45% of memantine is bound to plasma-proteins.

Biotransformation
In man, about 80% of the circulating memantine-related material is present as the parent compound. 
Main human metabolites are N-3,5-dimethyl-gludantan, the isomeric mixture of 4- and 6-hydroxy-
memantine, and 1-nitroso-3,5-dimethyl-adamantane. None of these metabolites exhibit NMDA-
antagonistic activity. No cytochrome P 450 catalysed metabolism has been detected in vitro.

In a study using orally administered 14C-memantine, a mean of 84% of the dose was recovered within 
20 days, more than 99% being excreted renally.

Elimination 
Memantine is eliminated in a monoexponential manner with a terminal t½ of 60 to 100 hours. In 
volunteers with normal kidney function, total clearance (Cltot) amounts to 170 ml/min/1.73 m² and part 
of total renal clearance is achieved by tubular secretion. 

Renal handling also involves tubular reabsorption, probably mediated by cation transport proteins. The 
renal elimination rate of memantine under alkaline urine conditions may be reduced by a factor of 7 to 
9 (see section 4.4). Alkalisation of urine may result from drastic changes in diet, e.g. from a carnivore 
to a vegetarian diet, or from the massive ingestion of alkalising gastric buffers.

Linearity 
Studies in volunteers have demonstrated linear pharmacokinetics in the dose range of 10 to 40 mg.

Pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic relationship
At a dose of memantine of 20 mg per day the CSF levels match the ki-value (ki = inhibition constant)
of memantine, which is 0.5 µmol in human frontal cortex.

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5.3 Preclinical safety data

In short term studies in rats, memantine like other NMDA-antagonists have induced neuronal 
vacuolisation and necrosis (Olney lesions) only after doses leading to very high peak serum 
concentrations. Ataxia and other preclinical signs have preceded the vacuolisation and necrosis. As the 
effects have neither been observed in long term studies in rodents nor in non-rodents, the clinical 
relevance of these findings is unknown. 

Ocular changes were inconsistently observed in repeat dose toxicity studies in rodents and dogs, but 
not in monkeys. Specific ophthalmoscopic examinations in clinical studies with memantine did not 
disclose any ocular changes.

Phospholipidosis in pulmonary macrophages due to accumulation of memantine in lysosomes was 
observed in rodents. This effect is known from other active substances with cationic amphiphilic 
properties. There is a possible relationship between this accumulation and the vacuolisation observed 
in lungs. This effect was only observed at high doses in rodents. The clinical relevance of these 
findings is unknown.

No genotoxicity has been observed following testing of memantine in standard assays. There was no 
evidence of any carcinogenicity in life long studies in mice and rats. Memantine was not teratogenic in 
rats and rabbits, even at maternally toxic doses, and no adverse effects of memantine were noted on 
fertility. In rats, foetal growth reduction was noted at exposure levels, which are identical or slightly 
higher than at human exposure.

6. PHARMACEUTICAL PARTICULARS

6.1 List of excipients

Potassium sorbate
Sorbitol E420
Purified water

6.2 Incompatibilities

Not applicable.

6.3 Shelf life

4 years.
Once opened, the contents of the bottle should be used within 3 months.

6.4 Special precautions for storage

Do not store above 30ºC.

The bottle with the mounted pump may only be kept and transported in a vertical position.

6.5 Nature and contents of container

50 ml (and 10 x 50 ml) in brown glass bottles (Hydrolytic Class II) and 100 ml in brown glass bottles 
(Hydrolytic Class III).

Not all pack sizes may be marketed.

6.6 Special precautions for disposal and other handling

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No special requirements.

Prior to first use the dosing pump has to be screwed on the bottle. For removing the screw cap from 
the bottle the cap must be turned anticlockwise and unscrewed completely (fig.1). 

Mounting the dosing pump on the bottle:

The dosing pump has to be removed from the plastic bag (fig. 2) and placed on top of the bottle, 
sliding the plastic dip tube carefully into the bottle. Then the dosing pump needs to be held onto the 
neck of the bottle and screwed clockwise until it is firmly attached (fig 3). For the intended use the 
dosing pump is only screwed on once when starting the use, and should never be unscrewed.

Use of the dosing pump for dispensing:

The dosing pump head has two positions and is easy to turn – anticlockwise (unlocked position) and 
clockwise (locked position). The dosing pump head should not be pushed down while in the locked 
position. The solution may only be dispensed in the unlocked position. To do this, the dosing pump 
head has to be turned in the direction of the arrow about one eighth of a turn, until a resistance is felt 
(fig. 4)

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The dosing pump is then ready for use.

Preparing the dosing pump:
When used for the first time, the dosing pump does not dispense the correct amount of oral solution. 
Therefore, the pump must be prepared (primed) by pushing the dosing pump head down completely 
five times in succession (fig. 5).

The solution thus dispensed is discarded. The next time the dosing pump head is pushed downwards 
completely (equivalent to one pump actuation), it dispenses the correct dose (1 pump actuation is 
equivalent to 0.5 ml oral solution, and contains 5 mg of the active substance memantine hydrochloride; 
fig. 6).

Correct use of the dosing pump:

The bottle should be placed on a flat, horizontal surface, for example a table top, and only use it in a 
vertical position. A glass with a little water or a spoon should be held below the nozzle and the dosing 
pump head has to be pushed down in a firm but calm and steady manner (not too slowly) right down to 
the stop (fig. 7, fig. 8).

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21

The dosing pump head can then be released and is ready for the next pump actuation.

The dosing pump may only be used with the memantine hydrochloride solution in the bottle provided, 
not for other substances or containers. If the pump does not function as described during intended use 
and according to instruction, the patient should consult the treating physician or a pharmacist. The 
dosing pump should be locked after use.

7. MARKETING AUTHORISATION HOLDER

H. Lundbeck A/S
Ottiliavej 9
2500 Valby
Denmark

8. MARKETING AUTHORISATION NUMBER(S) 

EU/1/02/219/005-006
EU/1/02/219/013

9. DATE OF FIRST AUTHORISATION/RENEWAL OF THE AUTHORISATION

Date of first authorisation: 15 May 2002
Date of latest renewal: 15 May 2007

10. DATE OF REVISION OF THE TEXT

MM/YYYY

Detailed information on this medicinal product is available on the website of the European Medicines 
Agency (EMA) http://www.ema.europa.eu

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22

1. NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT

Ebixa 5 mg film-coated tablets. 
Ebixa 10 mg film-coated tablets.
Ebixa 15 mg film-coated tablets.
Ebixa 20 mg film-coated tablets.

2. QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE COMPOSITION

Each film-coated tablet contains 5 mg of memantine hydrochloride equivalent to 4.15 mg memantine.
Each film-coated tablet contains 10 mg of memantine hydrochloride equivalent to 8.31 mg memantine.
Each film-coated tablet contains 15 mg of memantine hydrochloride equivalent to 12.46 mg memantine.
Each film-coated tablet contains 20 mg of memantine hydrochloride equivalent to 16.62 mg memantine.

For the full list of excipients, see section 6.1.

3. PHARMACEUTICAL FORM

Film-coated tablet.
The 5 mg film-coated tablets are white to off-white, oval-oblong film-coated tablets with imprint ‘5’ on 
one side and imprint ‘MEM’ on the other side.
The 10 mg film-coated tablets are pale yellow to yellow, oval shaped film-coated tablet with breaking 
line and imprint ‘1 0’ on one side and ‘M M’ on the other side. The tablet can be divided into equal 
doses.
The 15 mg film-coated tablets are orange to grey-orange, oval-oblong film-coated tablets with imprint 
‘15’ on one side and imprint ‘MEM’ on the other side.
The 20 mg film-coated tablets are pale red to grey-red, oval-oblong film-coated tablets with imprint ‘20’ 
on one side and imprint ‘MEM’ on the other side.

4. CLINICAL PARTICULARS

4.1 Therapeutic indications

Treatment of adult patients with moderate to severe Alzheimer’s disease.

4.2 Posology and method of administration

Treatment should be initiated and supervised by a physician experienced in the diagnosis and 
treatment of Alzheimer’s dementia.

Posology
Therapy should only be started if a caregiver is available who will regularly monitor the intake of the 
medicinal product by the patient. Diagnosis should be made according to current guidelines. The 
tolerance and dosing of memantine should be reassessed on a regular basis, preferably within three 
months after start of treatment. Thereafter, the clinical benefit of memantine and the patient’s 
tolerance of treatment should be reassessed on a regular basis according to current clinical guidelines. 
Maintenance treatment can be continued for as long as a therapeutic benefit is favourable and the 
patient tolerates treatment with memantine. Discontinuation of memantine should be considered when 
evidence of a therapeutic effect is no longer present or if the patient does not tolerate treatment.

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Adults

Dose titration
The recommended starting dose is 5 mg per day which is stepwise increased over the first 4 weeks of 
treatment reaching the recommended maintenance dose as follows:

Week 1 (day 1-7)
The patient should take one 5 mg film-coated tablet per day (white to off-white, oval-oblong) for 7 days.

Week 2 (day 8-14)
The patient should take one 10 mg film-coated tablet per day (pale yellow to yellow, oval shaped) for 7 
days.

Week 3 (day 15-21)
The patient should take one 15 mg film-coated tablet per day (grey-orange, oval-oblong) for 7 days.

Week 4 (day 22-28) 
The patient should take one 20 mg film-coated tablet per day (grey-red, oval-oblong) for 7 days.

The maximum daily dose is 20 mg per day.

Maintenance dose
The recommended maintenance dose is 20 mg per day.

Elderly
On the basis of the clinical studies, the recommended dose for patients over the age of 65 years is 
20 mg per day (20 mg once a day) as described above.

Renal impairment 
In patients with mildly impaired renal function (creatinine clearance 50 – 80 ml/min) no dose 
adjustment is required. In patients with moderate renal impairment (creatinine clearance 30 –
49 ml/min) daily dose should be 10 mg per day. If tolerated well after at least 7 days of treatment, the 

dose could be increased up to 20 mg/day according to standard titration scheme. In patients with 
severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance 5 – 29 ml/min) daily dose should be 10 mg per day.

Hepatic impairment  
In patients with mild or moderate hepatic impaired function (Child-Pugh A and Child-Pugh B), no 
dose adjustment is needed. No data on the use of memantine in patients with severe hepatic 
impairment are available. Administration of Ebixa is not recommended in patients with severe hepatic 
impairment.

Paediatric population
No data are available.

Method of administration

Ebixa should be administered orally once a day and should be taken at the same time every day. The
film-coated tablets can be taken with or without food.

4.3 Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1.

4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use

Caution is recommended in patients with epilepsy, former history of convulsions or patients with 
predisposing factors for epilepsy.

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Concomitant use of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-antagonists such as amantadine, ketamine or 
dextromethorphan should be avoided. These compounds act at the same receptor system as 
memantine, and therefore adverse reactions (mainly central nervous system (CNS)-related) may be 
more frequent or more pronounced (see also section 4.5).

Some factors that may raise urine pH (see section 5.2 “Elimination”) may necessitate careful 
monitoring of the patient. These factors include drastic changes in diet, e.g. from a carnivore to a 
vegetarian diet, or a massive ingestion of alkalising gastric buffers. Also, urine pH may be elevated by 
states of renal tubulary acidosis (RTA) or severe infections of the urinary tract with Proteus bacteria. 

In most clinical trials, patients with recent myocardial infarction, uncompensated congestive heart 
failure (NYHA III-IV), or uncontrolled hypertension were excluded. As a consequence, only limited 
data are available and patients with these conditions should be closely supervised.

4.5 Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction

Due to the pharmacological effects and the mechanism of action of memantine the following 
interactions may occur:

 The mode of action suggests that the effects of L-dopa, dopaminergic agonists, and 
anticholinergics may be enhanced by concomitant treatment with NMDA-antagonists such as 
memantine. The effects of barbiturates and neuroleptics may be reduced. Concomitant 
administration of memantine with the antispasmodic agents, dantrolene or baclofen, can modify 
their effects and a dose adjustment may be necessary.

 Concomitant use of memantine and amantadine should be avoided, owing to the risk of 
pharmacotoxic psychosis. Both compounds are chemically related NMDA-antagonists. The 
same may be true for ketamine and dextromethorphan (see also section 4.4). There is one 
published case report on a possible risk also for the combination of memantine and phenytoin.

 Other active substances such as cimetidine, ranitidine, procainamide, quinidine, quinine and 
nicotine that use the same renal cationic transport system as amantadine may also possibly 
interact with memantine leading to a potential risk of increased plasma levels.

 There may be a possibility of reduced serum level of hydrochlorothiazide (HCT) when 
memantine is co-administered with HCT or any combination with HCT.

 In post-marketing experience, isolated cases with international normalized ratio (INR) increases 
have been reported in patients concomitantly treated with warfarin. Although no causal 
relationship has been established, close monitoring of prothrombin time or INR is advisable for 
patients concomitantly treated with oral anticoagulants.

In single-dose pharmacokinetic (PK) studies in young healthy subjects, no relevant active substance-
active substance interaction of memantine with glyburide/metformin or donepezil was observed.

In a clinical study in young healthy subjects, no relevant effect of memantine on the pharmacokinetics
of galantamine was observed.

Memantine did not inhibit CYP 1A2, 2A6, 2C9, 2D6, 2E1, 3A, flavin containing monooxygenase, 
epoxide hydrolase or sulphation in vitro.

4.6 Fertility, pregnancy and lactation

Pregnancy
There are no or limited amount of data from the use of memantine in pregnant women.
Animal studies indicate a potential for reducing intrauterine growth at exposure levels, which are 
identical or slightly higher than at human exposure (see section 5.3). The potential risk for humans is 
unknown. Memantine should not be used during pregnancy unless clearly necessary.

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Breast-feeding
It is not known whether memantine is excreted in human breast milk but, taking into consideration the 
lipophilicity of the substance, this probably occurs. Women taking memantine should not breast-feed.

Fertility
No adverse reactions of memantine were noted on male and female fertility.

4.7 Effects on ability to drive and use machines

Moderate to severe Alzheimer’s disease usually causes impairment of driving performance and 
compromises the ability to use machinery. Furthermore, Ebixa has minor or moderate influence on the 
ability to drive and use machines such that outpatients should be warned to take special care.

4.8 Undesirable effects

Summary of the safety profile
In clinical trials in mild to severe dementia, involving 1,784 patients treated with Ebixa and 1,595
patients treated with placebo, the overall incidence rate of adverse reactions with Ebixa did not differ 
from those with placebo; the adverse reactions were usually mild to moderate in severity. The most 
frequently occurring adverse reactions with a higher incidence in the Ebixa group than in the placebo 
group were dizziness (6.3% vs 5.6%, respectively), headache (5.2% vs 3.9%), constipation (4.6% vs 
2.6%), somnolence (3.4% vs 2.2%) and hypertension (4.1% vs 2.8%).

Tabulated list of adverse reactions 
The following Adverse Reactions listed in the Table below have been accumulated in clinical studies 
with Ebixa and since its introduction in the market. 
Adverse reactions are ranked according to system organ class, using the following convention: very 
common (≥1/10), common (≥1/100 to < 1/10), uncommon (≥ 1/1,000 to < 1/100), rare (≥1/10,000 to < 
1/1,000), very rare (< 1/10,000), not known (cannot be estimated from the available data). Within each 
frequency grouping, undesirable effects are presented in order of decreasing seriousness.

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SYSTEM ORGAN CLASS FREQUENCY ADVERSE REACTION

Infections and infestations Uncommon Fungal infections

Immune system disorders Common Drug hypersensitivity

Psychiatric disorders Common Somnolence

Uncommon Confusion

Uncommon Hallucinations1

Not known Psychotic reactions2

Nervous system disorders Common Dizziness

Common Balance disorders

Uncommon Gait abnormal

Very rare Seizures

Cardiac disorders Uncommon Cardiac failure

Vascular disorders Common Hypertension

Uncommon Venous 
thrombosis/thromboembolism 

Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal 
disorders

Common Dyspnoea

Gastrointestinal disorders Common Constipation

Uncommon Vomiting

Not known Pancreatitis2

Hepatobiliary disorders Common Elevated liver function test

Not known Hepatitis

General disorders and administration 
site conditions

Common Headache

Uncommon Fatigue
1 Hallucinations have mainly been observed in patients with severe Alzheimer’s disease.
2 Isolated cases reported in post-marketing experience.

Alzheimer’s disease has been associated with depression, suicidal ideation and suicide. In post-
marketing experience these reactions have been reported in patients treated with Ebixa.

Reporting of suspected adverse reactions
Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is 
important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product.
Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the national 
reporting system listed in Appendix V

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27

4.9 Overdose

Only limited experience with overdose is available from clinical studies and post-marketing 
experience.

Symptoms
Relative large overdoses (200 mg and 105 mg/day for 3 days, respectively) have been associated with 
either only symptoms of tiredness, weakness and/or diarrhoea or no symptoms. In the overdose cases 
below 140 mg or unknown dose the patients revealed symptoms from central nervous system 
(confusion, drowsiness, somnolence, vertigo, agitation, aggression, hallucination, and gait disturbance) 
and/or of gastrointestinal origin (vomiting and diarrhoea).

In the most extreme case of overdose, the patient survived the oral intake of a total of 2000 mg 
memantine with effects on the central nervous system (coma for 10 days, and later diplopia and 
agitation). The patient received symptomatic treatment and plasmapheresis. The patient recovered 
without permanent sequelae.

In another case of a large overdose, the patient also survived and recovered. The patient had received 
400 mg memantine orally. The patient experienced central nervous system symptoms such as 
restlessness, psychosis, visual hallucinations, proconvulsiveness, somnolence, stupor, and 
unconsciousness.

Treatment 
In the event of overdose, treatment should be symptomatic. No specific antidote for intoxication or 
overdose is available. Standard clinical procedures to remove active substance material, e.g. gastric 
lavage, carbo medicinalis (interruption of potential entero-hepatic recirculation), acidification of urine, 
forced diuresis should be used as appropriate.

In case of signs and symptoms of general central nervous system (CNS) overstimulation, careful 
symptomatic clinical treatment should be considered.

5. PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES

5.1 Pharmacodynamic properties

Pharmacotherapeutic group: Psychoanaleptics. Other Anti-dementia drugs, ATC code: N06DX01. 

There is increasing evidence that malfunctioning of glutamatergic neurotransmission, in particular at 
NMDA-receptors, contributes to both expression of symptoms and disease progression in 
neurodegenerative dementia.

Memantine is a voltage-dependent, moderate-affinity uncompetitive NMDA-receptor antagonist. It 
modulates the effects of pathologically elevated tonic levels of glutamate that may lead to neuronal 
dysfunction.

Clinical studies 
A pivotal monotherapy study in a population of patients suffering from moderate to severe
Alzheimer’s disease (mini mental state examination (MMSE) total scores at baseline of 3 - 14) 
included a total of 252 outpatients. The study showed beneficial effects of memantine treatment in 
comparison to placebo at 6 months (observed cases analysis for the clinician’s interview based 
impression of change (CIBIC-plus): p=0.025; Alzheimer’s disease cooperative study – activities of 
daily living (ADCS-ADLsev): p=0.003; severe impairment battery (SIB): p=0.002).

A pivotal monotherapy study of memantine in the treatment of mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease 
(MMSE total scores at baseline of 10 to 22) included 403 patients. Memantine-treated patients showed 
a statistically significantly better effect than placebo-treated patients on the primary endpoints: 

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Alzheimer’s disease assessment scale (ADAS-cog) (p=0.003) and CIBIC-plus (p=0.004) at week 24 
last observation carried forward (LOCF). In another monotherapy study in mild to moderate 
Alzheimer’s disease a total of 470 patients (MMSE total scores at baseline of 11-23) were randomised. 
In the prospectively defined primary analysis statistical significance was not reached at the primary 
efficacy endpoint at week 24.

A meta-analysis of patients with moderate to severe Alzheimer’s disease (MMSE total scores < 20) 
from the six phase III, placebo-controlled, 6-month studies (including monotherapy studies and studies 
with patients on a stable dose of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors) showed that there was a statistically 
significant effect in favour of memantine treatment for the cognitive, global, and functional domains. 
When patients were identified with concurrent worsening in all three domains, results showed a 
statistically significant effect of memantine in preventing worsening, as twice as many placebo-treated 
patients as memantine-treated patients showed worsening in all three domains (21% vs. 11%, 
p0.0001).

5.2 Pharmacokinetic properties

Absorption 
Memantine has an absolute bioavailability of approximately 100%. Tmax is between 3 and 8 hours. 
There is no indication that food influences the absorption of memantine.

Distribution 
Daily doses of 20 mg lead to steady-state plasma concentrations of memantine ranging from 70 to 
150 ng/ml (0.5 - 1 µmol) with large interindividual variations. When daily doses of 5 to 30 mg were 
administered, a mean cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)/serum ratio of 0.52 was calculated. The volume of 
distribution is around 10 l/kg. About 45% of memantine is bound to plasma-proteins.

Biotransformation 
In man, about 80% of the circulating memantine-related material is present as the parent compound. 
Main human metabolites are N-3,5-dimethyl-gludantan, the isomeric mixture of 4- and 6-hydroxy-
memantine, and 1-nitroso-3,5-dimethyl-adamantane. None of these metabolites exhibit NMDA-
antagonistic activity. No cytochrome P 450 catalysed metabolism has been detected in vitro.

In a study using orally administered 14C-memantine, a mean of 84% of the dose was recovered within 
20 days, more than 99% being excreted renally.

Elimination 
Memantine is eliminated in a monoexponential manner with a terminal t½ of 60 to 100 hours. In 
volunteers with normal kidney function, total clearance (Cltot) amounts to 170 ml/min/1.73 m² and part 
of total renal clearance is achieved by tubular secretion.

Renal handling also involves tubular reabsorption, probably mediated by cation transport proteins. The 
renal elimination rate of memantine under alkaline urine conditions may be reduced by a factor of 7 to 
9 (see section 4.4). Alkalisation of urine may result from drastic changes in diet, e.g. from a carnivore 
to a vegetarian diet, or from the massive ingestion of alkalising gastric buffers.

Linearity 
Studies in volunteers have demonstrated linear pharmacokinetics in the dose range of 10 to 40 mg.

Pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic relationship 
At a dose of memantine of 20 mg per day the CSF levels match the ki-value (ki = inhibition constant) 
of memantine, which is 0.5 µmol in human frontal cortex.

5.3 Preclinical safety data

In short term studies in rats, memantine like other NMDA-antagonists have induced neuronal 
vacuolisation and necrosis (Olney lesions) only after doses leading to very high peak serum 

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29

concentrations. Ataxia and other preclinical signs have preceded the vacuolisation and necrosis. As the 
effects have neither been observed in long term studies in rodents nor in non-rodents, the clinical 
relevance of these findings is unknown. 

Ocular changes were inconsistently observed in repeat dose toxicity studies in rodents and dogs, but 
not in monkeys. Specific ophthalmoscopic examinations in clinical studies with memantine did not 
disclose any ocular changes.

Phospholipidosis in pulmonary macrophages due to accumulation of memantine in lysosomes was 
observed in rodents. This effect is known from other active substances with cationic amphiphilic 
properties. There is a possible relationship between this accumulation and the vacuolisation observed 
in lungs. This effect was only observed at high doses in rodents. The clinical relevance of these 
findings is unknown.

No genotoxicity has been observed following testing of memantine in standard assays. There was no 
evidence of any carcinogenicity in life long studies in mice and rats. Memantine was not teratogenic in 
rats and rabbits, even at maternally toxic doses, and no adverse effects of memantine were noted on 
fertility. In rats, foetal growth reduction was noted at exposure levels, which are identical or slightly 
higher than at human exposure.

6. PHARMACEUTICAL PARTICULARS

6.1 List of excipients

Tablet cores for 5/10/15/20 mg film-coated tablets:
Microcrystalline cellulose
Croscarmellose sodium
Colloidal anhydrous silica
Magnesium stearate

Tablet coat for 5/10/15/20 mg film-coated tablets:
Hypromellose
Macrogol 400
Titanium dioxide 

Additional for 10 mg film-coated tablets:
Iron oxide yellow 

Additional for 15 mg and 20 mg film-coated tablets:
Iron oxide yellow and red 

6.2 Incompatibilities

Not applicable.

6.3 Shelf life

4 years.

6.4 Special precautions for storage

This medicinal product does not require any special storage conditions.

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6.5 Nature and contents of container

Each pack contains 28 film-coated tablets in 4 PVDC/PE/PVC/Al-blister or PP/Al-blisters with 7 film-
coated tablets of 5 mg, 7 film-coated tablets of 10 mg, 7 film-coated tablets of 15 mg and 7 film-
coated tablets of 20 mg.

6.6 Special precautions for disposal

No special requirements.

7. MARKETING AUTHORISATION HOLDER

H. Lundbeck A/S
Ottiliavej 9
2500 Valby
Denmark

8. MARKETING AUTHORISATION NUMBER(S) 

EU/1/02/219/022
EU/1/02/219/036

9. DATE OF FIRST AUTHORISATION/RENEWAL OF THE AUTHORISATION

Date of first authorisation: 15 May 2002
Date of latest renewal: 15 May 2007

10. DATE OF REVISION OF THE TEXT

MM/YYYY

Detailed information on this medicinal product is available on the website of the European Medicines 
Agency (EMA) http://www.ema.europa.eu

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ANNEX II

A. MANUFACTURER RESPONSIBLE FOR BATCH RELEASE

B. CONDITIONS OR RESTRICTIONS REGARDING SUPPLY 
AND USE

          C. OTHER CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS OF THE 
MARKETING AUTHORISATION

D. CONDITIONS OR RESTRICTIONS WITH REGARD TO 
THE SAFE AND EFFECTIVE USE OF THE MEDICINAL 
PRODUCT

          

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A. MANUFACTURER RESPONSIBLE FOR BATCH RELEASE

Name and address of the manufacturer responsible for batch release

H. Lundbeck A/S
Ottiliavej 9
2500 Valby
DENMARK

B. CONDITIONS OR RESTRICTIONS REGARDING SUPPLY AND USE

Medicinal product subject to restricted medical prescription (see Annex I: Summary of Product 
Characteristics, section 4.2).

C. OTHER CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS OF THE MARKETING 
AUTHORISATION

 Periodic Safety Update Reports 

The requirements for submission of periodic safety update reports for this medicinal product 
are set out in the list of Union reference dates (EURD list) provided for under Article 107c(7) 
of Directive 2001/83/EC and any subsequent updates published on the European medicines 
web-portal.

D. CONDITIONS OR RESTRICTIONS WITH REGARD TO THE SAFE AND 
EFFECTIVE USE OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT 

 Risk Management Plan (RMP)

The MAH shall perform the required pharmacovigilance activities and interventions detailed in the 
agreed RMP presented in Module 1.8.2 of the Marketing Authorisation and any agreed subsequent 
updates of the RMP.

An updated RMP should be submitted:
 At the request of the European Medicines Agency;
 Whenever the  risk management system is modified, especially as the result of new 

information being received that may lead to a significant change to the benefit/risk profile 
or as the result of an important (pharmacovigilance or risk minimisation) milestone beeing 
reached.

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ANNEX III

LABELLING AND PACKAGE LEAFLET

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A. LABELLING

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35

PARTICULARS TO APPEAR ON THE OUTER PACKAGING 

CARTON FOR BLISTER PACK

1. NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT

Ebixa 10 mg film-coated tablets
Memantine hydrochloride

2. STATEMENT OF ACTIVE SUBSTANCE

Each film-coated tablet contains 10 mg memantine hydrochloride equivalent to 8.31 mg memantine.

3. LIST OF EXCIPIENTS

4. PHARMACEUTICAL FORM AND CONTENTS

Film-coated tablets
14 film-coated tablets
28 film-coated tablets
30 film-coated tablets
42 film-coated tablets
49 x 1 film-coated tablets
50 film-coated tablets
56 film-coated tablets
56 x 1 film-coated tablets
70 film-coated tablets
84 film-coated tablets
98 film-coated tablets
98 x 1 film-coated tablets
100 film-coated tablets
100 x 1 film-coated tablets
112 film-coated tablets

5. METHOD AND ROUTE OF ADMINISTRATION

Read the package leaflet before use.
Oral use.

6. SPECIAL WARNING THAT THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT MUST BE STORED OUT 
OF THE SIGHT AND REACH  OF CHILDREN

Keep out of the sight and reach of children.

7. OTHER SPECIAL WARNING(S), IF NECESSARY

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8. EXPIRY DATE

EXP {MM.YYYY}

9. SPECIAL STORAGE CONDITIONS

10. SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS FOR DISPOSAL OF UNUSED MEDICINAL PRODUCTS 
OR WASTE MATERIALS DERIVED FROM SUCH MEDICINAL PRODUCTS, IF 
APPROPRIATE

11. NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE MARKETING AUTHORISATION HOLDER

H. Lundbeck A/S
Ottiliavej 9
2500 Valby
Denmark

12. MARKETING AUTHORISATION NUMBER(S)

EU/1/02/219/016 14 film-coated tablets
EU/1/02/219/007 28 film-coated tablets
EU/1/02/219/001 30 film-coated tablets
EU/1/02/219/017 42 film-coated tablets
EU/1/02/219/010 49 x 1 film-coated tablets
EU/1/02/219/002 50 film-coated tablets
EU/1/02/219/008 56 film-coated tablets
EU/1/02/219/014 56 x 1 film-coated tablets
EU/1/02/219/018 70 film-coated tablets
EU/1/02/219/019 84 film-coated tablets
EU/1/02/219/020 98 film-coated tablets
EU/1/02/219/015 98 x 1 film-coated tablets
EU/1/02/219/003 100 film-coated tablets
EU/1/02/219/011 100 x 1 film-coated tablets
EU/1/02/219/009 112 film-coated tablets

13. BATCH NUMBER

Lot {number}

14. GENERAL CLASSIFICATION FOR SUPPLY

15. INSTRUCTIONS ON USE

16. INFORMATION IN BRAILLE

Ebixa 10 mg tablets

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17. UNIQUE IDENTIFIER – 2D BARCODE

2D barcode carrying the unique identifier included.

18. UNIQUE IDENTIFIER - HUMAN READABLE DATA

PC:
SN:
NN:

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PARTICULARS TO APPEAR ON THE OUTER PACKAGING
CARTON AS INTERMEDIATE PACK / COMPONENT OF A MULTIPACK (WITHOUT 
BLUE BOX)

1. NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT

Ebixa 10 mg film-coated tablets
Memantine hydrochloride

2. STATEMENT OF ACTIVE SUBSTANCE

Each film-coated tablet contains 10 mg memantine hydrochloride equivalent to 8.31 mg memantine.

3. LIST OF EXCIPIENTS

4. PHARMACEUTICAL FORM AND CONTENTS

Film-coated tablets
50 film-coated tablets
98 film-coated tablets

Component of a multipack, can’t be sold separately. 

5. METHOD AND ROUTE OF ADMINISTRATION

Read the package leaflet before use.
Oral use.

6. SPECIAL WARNING THAT THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT MUST BE STORED OUT 
OF THE SIGHT AND REACH OF CHILDREN

Keep out of the sight and reach of children.

7. OTHER SPECIAL WARNING(S), IF NECESSARY

8. EXPIRY DATE

EXP {MM.YYYY}

9. SPECIAL STORAGE CONDITIONS

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39

10. SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS FOR DISPOSAL OF UNUSED MEDICINAL PRODUCTS 
OR WASTE MATERIALS DERIVED FROM SUCH MEDICINAL PRODUCTS, IF 
APPROPRIATE

11. NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE MARKETING AUTHORISATION HOLDER

H. Lundbeck A/S
Ottiliavej 9
2500 Valby
Denmark

12. MARKETING AUTHORISATION NUMBER(S)

EU/1/02/219/021 980 (10 packs of 98) film-coated tablets
EU/1/02/219/012 1000 (20 packs of 50) film-coated tablets

13. BATCH NUMBER

Lot {number}

14. GENERAL CLASSIFICATION FOR SUPPLY

15. INSTRUCTIONS ON USE

16. INFORMATION IN BRAILLE

Ebixa 10 mg tablets

17. UNIQUE IDENTIFIER – 2D BARCODE

2D barcode carrying the unique identifier included.

18. UNIQUE IDENTIFIER - HUMAN READABLE DATA

PC:
SN:
NN:

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40

PARTICULARS TO APPEAR ON THE OUTER PACKAGING
OUTER WRAPPER LABEL ON MULTIPACKS  WRAPPED IN FOIL (INCLUDING BLUE 
BOX)

1. NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT

Ebixa 10 mg film-coated tablets
Memantine hydrochloride

2. STATEMENT OF ACTIVE SUBSTANCE

Each film-coated tablet contains 10 mg memantine hydrochloride equivalent to 8.31 mg memantine.

3. LIST OF EXCIPIENTS

4. PHARMACEUTICAL FORM AND CONTENTS

Film-coated tablets
Multipack: 980 ( 10 packs of 98) film-coated tablets.
Multipack: 1000 ( 20 packs of 50) film-coated tablets

5. METHOD AND ROUTE OF ADMINISTRATION

Read the package leaflet before use.
Oral use.

6. SPECIAL WARNING THAT THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT MUST BE STORED OUT 
OF THE SIGHT AND REACH OF CHILDREN

Keep out of the sight and reach of children.

7. OTHER SPECIAL WARNING(S), IF NECESSARY

8. EXPIRY DATE

EXP {MM.YYYY}

9. SPECIAL STORAGE CONDITIONS

10. SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS FOR DISPOSAL OF UNUSED MEDICINAL PRODUCTS 
OR WASTE MATERIALS DERIVED FROM SUCH MEDICINAL PRODUCTS, IF 
APPROPRIATE

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41

11. NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE MARKETING AUTHORISATION HOLDER

H. Lundbeck A/S
Ottiliavej 9
2500 Valby
Denmark

12. MARKETING AUTHORISATION NUMBER(S)

EU/1/02/219/021 980 (10 packs of 98) film-coated tablets
EU/1/02/219/012 1000 (20 packs of 50) film-coated tablets

13. BATCH NUMBER

Lot {number}

14. GENERAL CLASSIFICATION FOR SUPPLY

15. INSTRUCTIONS ON USE

16. INFORMATION IN BRAILLE

Ebixa 10 mg tablets

17. UNIQUE IDENTIFIER – 2D BARCODE

2D barcode carrying the unique identifier included.

18. UNIQUE IDENTIFIER - HUMAN READABLE DATA

PC:
SN:
NN:

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42

MINIMUM PARTICULARS TO APPEAR ON BLISTER

BLISTER FOR TABLETS

1. NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT

Ebixa 10 mg film-coated tablets
Memantine hydrochloride

2. NAME OF THE MARKETING AUTHORISATION HOLDER

H. Lundbeck A/S

3. EXPIRY DATE

EXP {MM.YYYY}
See embossed stamp.

4. BATCH NUMBER

Lot {number}
See embossed stamp.

5. OTHER

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43

PARTICULARS TO APPEAR ON THE OUTER PACKAGING AND THE IMMEDIATE 
PACKAGING

CARTON AND LABEL FOR BOTTLE

1. NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT

Ebixa 5 mg/pump actuation oral solution
Memantine hydrochloride

2. STATEMENT OF ACTIVE SUBSTANCE

Each pump actuation delivers 0.5 ml of solution which contains 5 mg of memantine hydrochloride 
which is equivalent to 4.16 mg memantine. 

3. LIST OF EXCIPIENTS

The solution also contains potassium sorbate and sorbitol E420.
See package leaflet for further information.

4. PHARMACEUTICAL FORM AND CONTENTS

Oral solution
50 ml
100 ml

5. METHOD AND ROUTE OF ADMINISTRATION

Once daily
Read the package leaflet before use
Oral use.

6. SPECIAL WARNING THAT THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT MUST BE STORED OUT 
OF THE SIGHT AND REACH OF CHILDREN

Keep out of the sight and reach of children.

7. OTHER SPECIAL WARNING(S), IF NECESSARY

8. EXPIRY DATE

EXP {MM.YYYY}

9. SPECIAL STORAGE CONDITIONS

Do not store above 30ºC.
When opened, use within 3 months.

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44

10. SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS FOR DISPOSAL OF UNUSED MEDICINAL PRODUCTS 
OR WASTE MATERIALS DERIVED FROM SUCH MEDICINAL PRODUCTS, IF 
APPROPRIATE

11. NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE MARKETING AUTHORISATION HOLDER

H. Lundbeck A/S
Ottiliavej 9
2500 Valby
Denmark

12. MARKETING AUTHORISATION NUMBER(S)

EU/1/02/219/005 50 ml
EU/1/02/219/006 100 ml

13. BATCH NUMBER

Lot {number}

14. GENERAL CLASSIFICATION FOR SUPPLY

15. INSTRUCTIONS ON USE

16. INFORMATION IN BRAILLE

Ebixa 5 mg/pump actuation oral solution

17. UNIQUE IDENTIFIER – 2D BARCODE

2D barcode carrying the unique identifier included.

18. UNIQUE IDENTIFIER - HUMAN READABLE DATA

PC:
SN:
NN:

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45

PARTICULARS TO APPEAR ON THE OUTER PACKAGING AND THE IMMEDIATE 
PACKAGING

CARTON AND LABEL FOR BOTTLE AS INTERMEDIATE PACK / COMPONENT OF A 
MULTIPACK (WITHOUT BLUE BOX)

1. NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT

Ebixa 5 mg/pump actuation oral  solution
memantine hydrochloride

2. STATEMENT OF ACTIVE SUBSTANCE(S)

Each pump actuation delivers 0.5 ml of solution which contains 5 mg of memantine hydrochloride 
which is equivalent to 4.16 mg memantine.

3. LIST OF EXCIPIENTS

The solution also contains potassium sorbate and sorbitol E420.
See package leaflet for further information.

4. PHARMACEUTICAL FORM AND CONTENTS

Oral solution
50 ml
Component of a multipack, can’t be sold separately.

5. METHOD AND ROUTE OF ADMINISTRATION

Once daily
Read the package leaflet before use
Oral use

6. SPECIAL WARNING THAT THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT MUST BE STORED OUT 
OF THE SIGHT AND REACH OF CHILDREN

Keep out of the sight and reach of children.

7. OTHER SPECIAL WARNING(S), IF NECESSARY

8. EXPIRY DATE

EXP {MM.YYYY}

9. SPECIAL STORAGE CONDITIONS

Do not store above 30ºC.
When opened, use within 3 months.

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10. SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS FOR DISPOSAL OF UNUSED MEDICINAL PRODUCTS 
OR WASTE MATERIALS DERIVED FROM SUCH MEDICINAL PRODUCTS, IF 
APPROPRIATE

11. NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE MARKETING AUTHORISATION HOLDER

H. Lundbeck A/S
Ottiliavej 9
2500 Valby
Denmark

12. MARKETING AUTHORISATION NUMBER(S)

EU/1/02/219/ 013500 ml (10 bottles of 50 ml)

13. BATCH NUMBER

Lot {number}

14. GENERAL CLASSIFICATION FOR SUPPLY

15. INSTRUCTIONS ON USE

16. INFORMATION IN BRAILLE

Ebixa 5 mg/pump actuation oral solution

17. UNIQUE IDENTIFIER – 2D BARCODE

2D barcode carrying the unique identifier included.

18. UNIQUE IDENTIFIER - HUMAN READABLE DATA

PC:
SN:
NN:

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47

PARTICULARS TO APPEAR ON THE OUTER PACKAGING

OUTER WRAPPER LABEL ON MULTIPACKS WRAPPED IN FOIL (INCLUDING BLUE 
BOX)

1. NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT

Ebixa 5 mg/pump actuation oral solution
memantine hydrochloride

2. STATEMENT OF ACTIVE SUBSTANCE(S)

Each pump actuation delivers 0.5 ml of solution which contains 5 mg of memantine hydrochloride 
which is equivalent to 4.16 mg memantine.

3. LIST OF EXCIPIENTS

The solution also contains potassium sorbate and sorbitol E420.
See package leaflet for further information.

4. PHARMACEUTICAL FORM AND CONTENTS

Oral solution
Multipack: 500 ml (10 bottles of 50 ml) oral solution. 

5. METHOD AND ROUTE(S) OF ADMINISTRATION

Once daily
Read the package leaflet before use
Oral use

6. SPECIAL WARNING THAT THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT MUST BE STORED OUT 
OF THE SIGHT AND REACH OF CHILDREN

Keep out of the sight and reach of children.

7. OTHER SPECIAL WARNING(S), IF NECESSARY

8. EXPIRY DATE

EXP {MM.YYYY}

9. SPECIAL STORAGE CONDITIONS

Do not store above 30ºC.
When opened, use within 3 months.

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10. SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS FOR DISPOSAL OF UNUSED MEDICINAL PRODUCTS 
OR WASTE MATERIALS DERIVED FROM SUCH MEDICINAL PRODUCTS, IF 
APPROPRIATE

11. NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE MARKETING AUTHORISATION HOLDER

H. Lundbeck A/S
Ottiliavej 9
2500 Valby
Denmark

12. MARKETING AUTHORISATION NUMBER(S)

EU/1/02/219/ 013500 ml (10 bottles of 50 ml)

13. BATCH NUMBER

Lot {number}

14. GENERAL CLASSIFICATION FOR SUPPLY

15. INSTRUCTIONS ON USE

16. INFORMATION IN BRAILLE

Ebixa 5 mg/pump actuation oral solution

17. UNIQUE IDENTIFIER – 2D BARCODE

2D barcode carrying the unique identifier included.

18. UNIQUE IDENTIFIER - HUMAN READABLE DATA

PC:
SN:
NN:

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49

PARTICULARS TO APPEAR ON THE OUTER PACKAGING

CARTON FOR 28 TABLETS – TREATMENT INITIATION PACK  - 4 WEEK TREATMENT 
SCHEDULE

1. NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT

Ebixa 5 mg film-coated tablets.
Ebixa 10 mg film-coated tablets.
Ebixa 15 mg film-coated tablets.
Ebixa 20 mg film-coated tablets.
Memantine hydrochloride 

2. STATEMENT OF ACTIVE SUBSTANCE

Each film-coated tablet contains 5 mg of memantine hydrochloride equivalent to 4.15 mg memantine.
Each film-coated tablet contains 10 mg of memantine hydrochloride equivalent to 8.31 mg memantine.
Each film-coated tablet contains 15 mg of memantine hydrochloride equivalent to 12.46 mg memantine.
Each film-coated tablet contains 20 mg of memantine hydrochloride equivalent to 16.62 mg memantine.

3. LIST OF EXCIPIENTS

4. PHARMACEUTICAL FORM AND CONTENTS

Treatment initiation pack
Each pack of 28 film-coated tablets for a 4 week treatment schedule contains:
7 film-coated tablets of Ebixa 5 mg
7 film-coated tablets of Ebixa 10 mg
7 film-coated tablets of Ebixa 15 mg
7 film-coated tablets of Ebixa 20 mg

5. METHOD AND ROUTE OF ADMINISTRATION

Once daily
Read the package leaflet before use
Oral use

Take only one tablet per day

Ebixa 5 mg
Memantine hydrochloride
Week 1, Day 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
7 Film-coated tablets Ebixa 5 mg

Ebixa 10 mg
Memantine hydrochloride
Week 2, Day 8 9 10 11 12 13 14
7 Film-coated tablets Ebixa 10 mg

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50

Ebixa 15 mg
Memantine hydrochloride
Week 3, Day 15 16 17 18 19 20 21
7 Film-coated tablets Ebixa 15 mg

Ebixa 20 mg
Memantine hydrochloride
Week 4, Day 22 23 24 25 26 27 28
7 Film-coated tablets Ebixa 20 mg

For continuation of your treatment please consult your doctor

6. SPECIAL WARNING THAT THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT MUST BE STORED OUT 
OF THE SIGHT AND REACH OF CHILDREN

Keep out of the sight and reach of children.

7. OTHER SPECIAL WARNING(S), IF NECESSARY

8. EXPIRY DATE

EXP {MM.YYYY}

9. SPECIAL STORAGE CONDITIONS

10. SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS FOR DISPOSAL OF UNUSED MEDICINAL PRODUCTS 
OR WASTE MATERIALS DERIVED FROM SUCH MEDICINAL PRODUCTS, IF 
APPROPRIATE

11. NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE MARKETING AUTHORISATION HOLDER

H. Lundbeck A/S
Ottiliavej 9
2500 Valby
Denmark

12. MARKETING AUTHORISATION NUMBER(S)

EU/1/02/219/022 7 x 5 mg + 7 x 10 mg + 7 x 15 mg 7 x 20 mg film-coated tablets
EU/1/02/219/036 7 x 5 mg + 7 x 10 mg + 7 x 15 mg 7 x 20 mg film-coated tablets

13. BATCH NUMBER

Lot {number}

14. GENERAL CLASSIFICATION FOR SUPPLY

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51

15. INSTRUCTIONS ON USE

16. INFORMATION IN BRAILLE

Ebixa 5 mg, 10 mg, 15 mg, 20 mg tablets

17. UNIQUE IDENTIFIER – 2D BARCODE

2D barcode carrying the unique identifier included.

18. UNIQUE IDENTIFIER - HUMAN READABLE DATA

PC:
SN:
NN:

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PARTICULARS TO APPEAR ON THE OUTER PACKAGING

CARTON FOR BLISTER PACK

1. NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT

Ebixa 20 mg film-coated tablets
Memantine hydrochloride

2. STATEMENT OF ACTIVE SUBSTANCE

Each film-coated tablet contains 20 mg memantine hydrochloride equivalent to 16.62 mg memantine.

3. LIST OF EXCIPIENTS

4. PHARMACEUTICAL FORM AND CONTENTS

Film-coated tablets
14 film-coated tablets
28 film-coated tablets
42 film-coated tablets
49 x 1 film-coated tablets
56 film-coated tablets
56 x 1 film-coated tablets
70 film-coated tablets
84 film-coated tablets
98 film-coated tablets
98 x 1 film-coated tablets
100 x 1 film-coated tablets
112 film-coated tablets

5. METHOD AND ROUTE OF ADMINISTRATION

Once daily
Read the package leaflet before use
Oral use

6. SPECIAL WARNING THAT THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT MUST BE STORED OUT 
OF THE SIGHT AND REACH OF CHILDREN

Keep out of the sight and reach of children.

7. OTHER SPECIAL WARNING(S), IF NECESSARY

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8. EXPIRY DATE

EXP {MM.YYYY}

9. SPECIAL STORAGE CONDITIONS

10. SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS FOR DISPOSAL OF UNUSED MEDICINAL PRODUCTS 
OR WASTE MATERIALS DERIVED FROM SUCH MEDICINAL PRODUCTS, IF 
APPROPRIATE

11. NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE MARKETING AUTHORISATION HOLDER

H. Lundbeck A/S
Ottiliavej 9
2500 Valby
Denmark

12. MARKETING AUTHORISATION NUMBER(S)

EU/1/02/219/023 14 film-coated tablets
EU/1/02/219/024 28 film-coated tablets
EU/1/02/219/025 42 film-coated tablets
EU/1/02/219/026 49 x 1 film-coated tablets
EU/1/02/219/027 56 film-coated tablets
EU/1/02/219/028 56 x 1 film-coated tablets
EU/1/02/219/029 70 film-coated tablets
EU/1/02/219/030 84 film-coated tablets
EU/1/02/219/031 98 film-coated tablets
EU/1/02/219/032 98 x 1 film-coated tablets
EU/1/02/219/033 100 x 1 film-coated tablets
EU/1/02/219/034 112 film-coated tablets
EU/1/02/219/037 14 film-coated tablets
EU/1/02/219/038 28 film-coated tablets
EU/1/02/219/039 42 film-coated tablets
EU/1/02/219/040 49 x 1 film-coated tablets
EU/1/02/219/041 56 film-coated tablets
EU/1/02/219/042 56 x 1 film-coated tablets
EU/1/02/219/043 70 film-coated tablets
EU/1/02/219/044 84 film-coated tablets
EU/1/02/219/045 98 film-coated tablets
EU/1/02/219/046 98 x 1 film-coated tablets
EU/1/02/219/047 100 x 1 film-coated tablets
EU/1/02/219/048 112 film-coated tablets 

13. BATCH NUMBER

Lot {number}

14. GENERAL CLASSIFICATION FOR SUPPLY

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15. INSTRUCTIONS ON USE

16. INFORMATION IN BRAILLE

Ebixa 20 mg tablets

17. UNIQUE IDENTIFIER – 2D BARCODE

2D barcode carrying the unique identifier included.

18. UNIQUE IDENTIFIER - HUMAN READABLE DATA

PC:
SN:
NN:

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55

PARTICULARS TO APPEAR ON THE OUTER PACKAGING
CARTON FOR INTERMEDIATE PACK / COMPONENT OF A MULTIPACK (WITHOUT 
BLUE BOX)

1. NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT

Ebixa 20 mg film-coated tablets
Memantine hydrochloride

2. STATEMENT OF ACTIVE SUBSTANCE

Each film-coated tablet contains 20 mg memantine hydrochloride equivalent to 16.62 mg memantine.

3. LIST OF EXCIPIENTS

4. PHARMACEUTICAL FORM AND CONTENTS

Film-coated tablets
42 film-coated tablets
Component of a multipack, can’t be sold separately

5. METHOD AND ROUTE OF ADMINISTRATION

Once daily
Read the package leaflet before use
Oral use

6. SPECIAL WARNING THAT THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT MUST BE STORED OUT 
OF THE SIGHT AND REACH OF CHILDREN

Keep out of the sight and reach of children

7. OTHER SPECIAL WARNING(S), IF NECESSARY

8. EXPIRY DATE

EXP {MM.YYYY}

9. SPECIAL STORAGE CONDITIONS

10. SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS FOR DISPOSAL OF UNUSED MEDICINAL PRODUCTS 
OR WASTE MATERIALS DERIVED FROM SUCH MEDICINAL PRODUCTS, IF 
APPROPRIATE

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56

11. NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE MARKETING AUTHORISATION HOLDER

H. Lundbeck A/S
Ottiliavej 9
2500 Valby
Denmark

12. MARKETING AUTHORISATION NUMBER(S)

EU/1/02/219/035 840 (20 packs of 42) film-coated tablets
EU/1/02/219/049 840 (20 packs of 42) film-coated tablets

13. BATCH NUMBER

Lot {number}

14. GENERAL CLASSIFICATION FOR SUPPLY

15. INSTRUCTIONS ON USE

16. INFORMATION IN BRAILLE

Ebixa 20 mg tablets

17. UNIQUE IDENTIFIER – 2D BARCODE

2D barcode carrying the unique identifier included.

18. UNIQUE IDENTIFIER - HUMAN READABLE DATA

PC:
SN:
NN:

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PARTICULARS TO APPEAR ON THE OUTER PACKAGING
OUTER WRAPPER LABEL ON MULTIPACKS  WRAPPED IN FOIL (INCLUDING BLUE 
BOX)

1. NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT

Ebixa 20 mg film-coated tablets
Memantine hydrochloride

2. STATEMENT OF ACTIVE SUBSTANCE

Each film-coated tablet contains 20 mg memantine hydrochloride equivalent to 16.62 mg memantine.

3. LIST OF EXCIPIENTS

4. PHARMACEUTICAL FORM AND CONTENTS

Film-coated tablets
Multipack: 840 (20 packs of 42) film-coated tablets.

5. METHOD AND ROUTE OF ADMINISTRATION

Once daily
Read the package leaflet before use
Oral use

6. SPECIAL WARNING THAT THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT MUST BE STORED OUT 
OF THE SIGHT AND REACH OF CHILDREN

Keep out of the reach and sight of children.

7. OTHER SPECIAL WARNING(S), IF NECESSARY

8. EXPIRY DATE

EXP {MM.YYYY}

9. SPECIAL STORAGE CONDITIONS

10. SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS FOR DISPOSAL OF UNUSED MEDICINAL PRODUCTS 
OR WASTE MATERIALS DERIVED FROM SUCH MEDICINAL PRODUCTS, IF 
APPROPRIATE

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11. NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE MARKETING AUTHORISATION HOLDER

H. Lundbeck A/S
Ottiliavej 9
2500 Valby
Denmark

12. MARKETING AUTHORISATION NUMBER(S)

EU/1/02/219/035 840 (20 packs of 42) film-coated tablets
EU/1/02/219/049 840 (20 packs of 42) film-coated tablets

13. BATCH NUMBER

Lot {number}

14. GENERAL CLASSIFICATION FOR SUPPLY

15. INSTRUCTIONS ON USE

16. INFORMATION IN BRAILLE

Ebixa 20 mg tablets

17. UNIQUE IDENTIFIER – 2D BARCODE

2D barcode carrying the unique identifier included.

18. UNIQUE IDENTIFIER - HUMAN READABLE DATA

PC:
SN:
NN:

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MINIMUM PARTICULARS TO APPEAR ON BLISTERS OR STRIPS

BLISTER FOR TABLETS

1. NAME OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT

Ebixa 20 mg film-coated tablets
Memantine hydrochloride

2. NAME OF THE MARKETING AUTHORISATION HOLDER

H. Lundbeck A/S

3. EXPIRY DATE

EXP {MM.YYYY}
See embossed stamp.

4. BATCH NUMBER

Lot {number}
See embossed stamp.

5. OTHER

Mon → Tue → Wed → Thu → Fri → Sat → Sun

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B. PACKAGE LEAFLET

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61

Package leaflet: Information for the user

Ebixa 10 mg film-coated tablets
Memantine hydrochloride

Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start taking this medicine because it contains 
important information for you.

- Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
- If you have any further questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
- This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Do not pass it on to others. It may harm them, 

even if their signs of illness are the same as yours.
- If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side 

effects not listed in this leaflet. See section 4.

What is in this leaflet

1. What Ebixa is and what it is used for
2. What you need to know before you take Ebixa
3. How to take Ebixa
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store Ebixa
6. Contents of the pack and other information

1. What Ebixa is and what it is used for

Ebixa contains the active substance memantine hydrochloride. It belongs to a group of medicines 
known as anti-dementia medicines.
Memory loss in Alzheimer’s disease is due to a disturbance of message signals in the brain. The brain 
contains so-called N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-receptors that are involved in transmitting nerve 
signals important in learning and memory. Ebixa belongs to a group of medicines called NMDA-
receptor antagonists. Ebixa acts on these NMDA-receptors improving the transmission of nerve 
signals and the memory.

Ebixa is used for the treatment of patients with moderate to severe Alzheimer’s disease.

2. What you need to know before you take Ebixa

Do not take Ebixa

- if you are allergic to memantine or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in
section 6). 

Warning and precautions

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Ebixa:

- if you have a history of epileptic seizures
- if you have recently experienced a myocardial infarction (heart attack), or if you are suffering 

from congestive heart failure or from an uncontrolled hypertension (high blood pressure).

In these situations the treatment should be carefully supervised, and the clinical benefit of Ebixa 
reassessed by your doctor on a regular basis.

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If you suffer from renal impairment (kidney problems), your doctor should closely monitor your 
kidney function and if necessary adapt the memantine doses accordingly. 

If you are suffering from states of renal tubulary acidosis (RTA, an excess of acid-forming substances 
in the blood due to renal dysfunction (poor kidney function)) or severe infections of the urinary tract 
(structure that carries urine), your doctor may need to adjust the dose of your medicine.

The use of medicinal products called amantadine (for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease), ketamine 
(a substance generally used as an anaesthetic), dextromethorphan (generally used to treat cough) and 
other NMDA-antagonists at the same time should be avoided.

Children and adolescents

Ebixa is not recommended for children and adolescents under the age of 18 years.

Other medicines and Ebixa

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other 
medicines.

In particular, Ebixa may change the effects of the following medicines and their dose may need to be 
adjusted by your doctor:

- amantadine, ketamine, dextromethorphan
- dantrolene, baclofen
- cimetidine, ranitidine, procainamide, quinidine, quinine, nicotine
- hydrochlorothiazide (or any combination with hydrochlorothiazide)
- anticholinergics (substances generally used to treat movement disorders or intestinal cramps)
- anticonvulsants (substances used to prevent and relieve seizures)
- barbiturates (substances generally used to induce sleep)
- dopaminergic agonists (substances such as L-dopa, bromocriptine)
- neuroleptics (substances used in the treatment of mental disorders)
- oral anticoagulants

If you go into hospital, let your doctor know that you are taking Ebixa.

Ebixa with food and drink

You should inform your doctor if you have recently changed or intend to change your diet 
substantially (e.g. from normal diet to strict vegetarian diet), as your doctor may need to adjust the 
dose of your medicine.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding

If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, 
ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine.

Pregnancy

The use of memantine in pregnant women is not recommended. 

Breast-feeding

Women taking Ebixa should not breast-feed.

Driving and using machines

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Your doctor will tell you whether your illness allows you to drive and to use machines safely.
Also, Ebixa may change your reactivity, making driving or operating machinery inappropriate. 

3. How to take Ebixa

Always take Ebixa exactly as your doctor has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you 
are not sure.

The recommended dose of Ebixa for adults and older people is 20 mg once a day. In order to reduce 
the risk of side effects this dose is achieved gradually by the following daily treatment scheme:

week 1 half a 10 mg tablet

week 2 one 10 mg tablet

week 3 one and a half 10 mg 
tablets

week 4 
and beyond

two 10 mg tablets once a 
day

The usual starting dose is half a tablet once a day (1x 5 mg) for the first week. This is increased to one 
tablet once a day (1x 10 mg) in the second week and to 1 and a half tablets once a day in the third 
week. From the fourth week on, the usual dose is 2 tablets once a day (1x 20 mg).

Dosage in patients with impaired kidney function

If you have impaired kidney function, your doctor will decide upon a dose that suits your condition. In 
this case, monitoring of your kidney function should be performed by your doctor at specified 
intervals.

Administration

Ebixa should be administered orally once a day. To benefit from your medicine you should take it 
regularly every day at the same time of the day. The tablets should be swallowed with some water. 
The tablets can be taken with or without food.

Duration of treatment

Continue to take Ebixa as long as it is of benefit to you. Your doctor should assess your treatment on a 
regular basis. 

If you take more Ebixa than you should

- In general, taking too much Ebixa should not result in any harm to you. You may experience 
increased symptoms as described in section 4. “Possible side effects”. 

- If you take a large overdose of Ebixa, contact your doctor or get medical advice, as you may 
need medical attention. 

If you forget to take Ebixa

- If you find you have forgotten to take your dose of Ebixa, wait and take your next dose at the 
usual time. 

- Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.

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64

If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
4. Possible side effects

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.

In general, the observed side effects are mild to moderate. 

Common (affects 1 to 10 users in 100): 
 Headache, sleepiness, constipation, elevated liver function tests, dizziness, balance disorders, 

shortness of breath, high blood pressure and drug hypersensitivity

Uncommon (affects 1 to 10 users in 1,000):
 Tiredness, fungal infections, confusion, hallucinations, vomiting, abnormal gait, heart failure 

and venous blood clotting (thrombosis/thromboembolism) 

Very Rare (affects less than 1 user in 10,000):
 Seizures

Not known (frequency cannot be estimated from the available data):
 Inflammation of the pancreas, inflammation of the liver (hepatitis) and psychotic reactions

Alzheimer’s disease has been associated with depression, suicidal ideation and suicide. These events 
have been reported in patients treated with Ebixa.

Reporting of side effects

If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacis. This includes any possible side effects not 
listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the national reporting system listed in 
Appendix V. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this 
medicine.

5. How to store Ebixa

Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.

Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the carton and the blister after EXP. 
The expiry date refers to the last day of that month. 

This medicinal product does not require any special storage conditions.

Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to 
throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.

6. Contents of the pack and other information

What Ebixa contains

- The active substance is memantine hydrochloride. Each film-coated tablet contains 10 mg 
memantine hydrochloride equivalent to 8.31 mg memantine.

- The other ingredients are microcrystalline cellulose, croscarmellose sodium, colloidal anhydrous 
silica and magnesium stearate, all in the tablet core; and hypromellose, macrogol 400, titanium 
dioxide (E171) and iron oxide yellow (E172), all in the tablet coating.

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65

What Ebixa looks like and contents of the pack

Ebixa film-coated tablets are presented as pale yellow to yellow, oval shaped film-coated tablet with 
breaking line and engravings “1 0” on one side and “M M” on the other side. The tablet can be divided 
into equal doses.

Ebixa film-coated tablets are available in blister packs of 14 tablets, 28 tablets, 30 tablets, 42 tablets, 
49 x 1 tablets, 50 tablets, 56 tablets, 56 x 1 tablets, 70 tablets, 84 tablets, 98 tablets, 98 x 1 tablets, 100 
tablets, 100 x 1 tablets, 112 tablets, 980 (10 x 98) tablets or 1000 (20 x 50) tablets. The pack sizes 49 x 
1, 56 x 1, 98 x 1 and 100 x 1 film-coated tablets are presented in unit dose blister.

Not all pack sizes may be marketed.

Marketing Authorisation Holder and Manufacturer

H. Lundbeck A/S
Ottiliavej 9
2500 Valby
Denmark.

For any information about this medicine, please contact the local representative of the Marketing 
Authorisation Holder.

Belgique/België/Belgien
Lundbeck S.A./N.V.
Tél/Tel: +32 2 535 7979

Lietuva
H. Lundbeck A/S, Danija
Tel: + 45 36301311

България
Lundbeck Export A/S Representative Office
Tel: +359 2 962 4696

Luxembourg/Luxemburg
Lundbeck S.A.
Tél: +32 2 340 2828

Česká republika 
Lundbeck Česká republika s.r.o.
Tel: +420 225 275 600

Magyarország
Lundbeck Hungaria Kft.
Tel: +36 1 4369980

Danmark
Lundbeck Pharma A/S
Tlf: +45 4371 4270

Malta
H. Lundbeck A/S, Denmark
Tel: + 45 36301311

Deutschland
Lundbeck GmbH
Tel: +49 40 23649 0

Nederland
Lundbeck B.V.
Tel: +31 20 697 1901

Eesti
H. Lundbeck A/S, Taani
Tel: + 45 36301311

Norge
H. Lundbeck AS 
Tlf: +47 91 300 800

Ελλάδα
Lundbeck Hellas S.A.
Τηλ: +30 210 610 5036

Österreich
Lundbeck Austria GmbH
Tel: +43 1 266 9108

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España
Lundbeck España S.A.
Tel: +34 93 494 9620

Polska
Lundbeck Poland Sp. z o. o. 
Tel.: + 48 22 626 93 00

France
Lundbeck SAS
Tél: + 33 1 79 41 29 00

Portugal
Lundbeck Portugal Lda
Tel: +351 21 00 45 900

Hrvatska
Lundbeck Croatia d.o.o.
Tel.: + 385 1 6448263

Ireland
Lundbeck (Ireland) Limited
Tel: +353 1  468 9800

România
Lundbeck Export A/S
Tel: +40 21319 88 26

Slovenija
Lundbeck Pharma d.o.o.
Tel.: +386 2 229 4500

Ísland
Vistor hf.
Tel: +354 535 7000

Slovenská republika
Lundbeck Slovensko s.r.o.
Tel: +421 2 5341 42 18

Italia
Lundbeck Italia S.p.A.
Tel: +39 02 677 4171

Suomi/Finland
Oy H. Lundbeck Ab
Puh/Tel: +358 2 276 5000

Κύπρος
Lundbeck Hellas  A.E
Τηλ.: +357 22490305

Sverige
H. Lundbeck AB
Tel: +46 4069 98200

Latvija
H. Lundbeck A/S, Dānija
Tel: + 45 36301311

United Kingdom
Lundbeck Limited
Tel: +44 1908 64 9966

This leaflet was last approved in MM/YYYY

Other sources of information

Detailed information on this medicine is available on the European Medicines Agency web site: 
http://www.ema.europa.eu

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67

Package leaflet: Information for the user

Ebixa 5 mg/pump actuation oral  solution
Memantine hydrochloride

Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start taking this medicine because it contains 
important information for you.

- Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
- If you have any further questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
- This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Do not pass it on to others. It may harm them, 

even if their signs of illness are the same as yours.
- If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side 

effects not listed in this leaflet. See section 4.

What is in this leaflet

1. What Ebixa is and what it is used for
2. What you need to know before you take Ebixa
3. How to take Ebixa
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store Ebixa
6. Contents of the pack and other information

1. What Ebixa is and what it is used for

Ebixa contains the active substance memantine hydrochloride. It belongs to a group of medicines 
known as anti-dementia medicines.

Memory loss in Alzheimer’s disease is due to a disturbance of message signals in the brain. The brain 
contains so-called N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-receptors that are involved in transmitting nerve 
signals important in learning and memory. Ebixa belongs to a group of medicines called NMDA-
receptor antagonists. Ebixa acts on these NMDA-receptors improving the transmission of nerve 
signals and the memory.

Ebixa is used for the treatment of patients with moderate to severe Alzheimer’s disease.

2. What you need to know before you take Ebixa

Do not take Ebixa

- if you are allergic to memantine or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in 
section 6).

Warning and precautions

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Ebixa:

- if you have a history of epileptic seizures 
- if you have recently experienced a myocardial infarction (heart attack), or if you are suffering 

from congestive heart failure or from an uncontrolled hypertension (high blood pressure).

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68

In these situations the treatment should be carefully supervised, and the clinical benefit of Ebixa 
reassessed by your doctor on a regular basis.

If you suffer from renal impairment (kidney problems), your doctor should closely monitor your 
kidney function and if necessary adapt the memantine doses accordingly.

If you are suffering from states of renal tubulary acidosis (RTA, an excess of acid-forming substances 
in the blood due to renal dysfunction (poor kidney function)) or severe infections of the urinary tract 
(structure that carries urine), your doctor may need to adjust the dose of your medicine.

The use of medicinal products called amantadine (for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease), ketamine 
(a substance generally used as an anaesthetic), dextromethorphan (generally used to treat cough) and 
other NMDA-antagonists at the same time should be avoided.

Children and adolescents

Ebixa is not recommended for children and adolescents under the age of 18 years.

Other medicines and Ebixa

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other 
medicines.

In particular, Ebixa may change the effects of the following medicines and their dose may need to be 
adjusted by your doctor:

- amantadine, ketamine, dextromethorphan 
- dantrolene, baclofen
- cimetidine, ranitidine, procainamide, quinidine, quinine, nicotine
- hydrochlorothiazide (or any combination with hydrochlorothiazide)
- anticholinergics (substances generally used to treat movement disorders or intestinal cramps)
- anticonvulsants (substances used to prevent and relieve seizures)
- barbiturates (substances generally used to induce sleep)
- dopaminergic agonists (substances such as L-dopa, bromocriptine)
- neuroleptics (substances used in the treatment of mental disorders)
- oral anticoagulants

If you go into hospital, let your doctor know that you are taking Ebixa.

Ebixa with food and drink

You should inform your doctor if you have recently changed or intend to change your diet 
substantially (e.g. from normal diet to strict vegetarian diet), as your doctor may need to adjust the 
dose of your medicine.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding

If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby,ask 
your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine.

Pregnancy

The use of memantine in pregnant women is not recommended. 

Breast-feeding

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69

Women taking Ebixa should not breast-feed.

Driving and using machines

Your doctor will tell you whether your illness allows you to drive and to use machines safely.
Also, Ebixa may change your reactivity, making driving or operating machinery inappropriate. 
Ebixa contains sorbitol

This medicinal product contains sorbitol. If you have been told by your doctor that you have 
intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicinal product. Your doctor will
advise you.

Furthermore, this medicine contains potassium, less than 1 mmol (39 mg) per dose, i.e. essentially 
potassium-free.

3. How to take Ebixa

Always take Ebixa exactly as your doctor has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you 
are not sure.

One pump actuation contains 5 mg memantine hydrochloride.
The recommended dose of Ebixa for adults and older people is four pump actuations, equivalent to 
20 mg once a day. In order to reduce the risk of side effects this dose is achieved gradually by the 
following daily treatment scheme:

week 1 one pump actuation

week 2 two pump actuations

week 3 three pump actuations

week 4 
and beyond

Four pump actuations

The usual starting dose is one pump actuation once daily (1x 5 mg) for the first week. This dose is 
increased in the second week to two pump actuations once daily (1 x 10 mg), and in the third week to 
three pump actuations once daily (1 x 15 mg). From the fourth week the recommended dose is four 
pump actuations once daily (1x 20 mg).

Dosage in patients with impaired kidney function

If you have impaired kidney function, your doctor will decide upon a dose that suits your condition. In 
this case, monitoring of your kidney function should be performed by your doctor at specified 
intervals.

Administration

Ebixa should be administered orally once a day. To benefit from your medicine you should take it 
regularly every day at the same time of the day. The solution should be taken with a little water. The 
solution can be taken with or without food.

For detailed instructions on the preparation and handling of the product see end of this leaflet.

Duration of treatment

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70

Continue to take Ebixa as long as it is of benefit to you. Your doctor should assess your treatment on a 
regular basis. 

If you take more Ebixa than you should

- In general, taking too much Ebixa should not result in any harm to you. You may experience 
increased symptoms as described in section 4. “Possible side effects”. 

- If you take a large overdose of Ebixa, contact your doctor or get medical advice, as you may need 
medical attention. 

If you forget to take Ebixa

- If you find you have forgotten to take your dose of Ebixa, wait and take your next dose at the 
usual time. 

- Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.

If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

4. Possible side effects

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.

In general, the observed side effects are mild to moderate. 

Common (affects 1 to 10 users in 100): 
 Headache, sleepiness, constipation, elevated liver function tests, dizziness, balance disorders, 

shortness of breath, high blood pressure and drug hypersensitivity

Uncommon (affects 1 to 10 users in 1,000):
 Tiredness, fungal infections, confusion, hallucinations, vomiting, abnormal gait, heart failure 

and venous blood clotting (thrombosis/thromboembolism)

Very Rare (affects less than 1 user in 10,000):
 Seizures

Not known (frequency cannot be estimated from the available data):
 Inflammation of the pancreas, inflammation of the liver (hepatitis) and psychotic reactions

Alzheimer’s disease has been associated with depression, suicidal ideation and suicide. These events 
have been reported in patients treated with Ebixa.

Reporting of side effects

If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacis. This includes any possible side effects not 
listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the national reporting system listed in 
Appendix V. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this 
medicine.

5. How to store Ebixa

Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.

Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the carton and the bottle label after 
EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.

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71

Do not store above 30ºC.

Once opened, the contents of the bottle should be used within 3 months.

The bottle with the mounted pump must be kept and transported in an upright position only.

Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to 
throw away medicines you no longer required. These measures will help protect the environment.

6. Contents of the pack and other information

What Ebixa contains

 The active substance is memantine hydrochloride. Each pump actuation delivers 0.5 ml of
solution which contains 5 mg of memantine hydrochloride which is equivalent to 4.16 mg 
memantine.

 The other ingredients are potassium sorbate, sorbitol E420 and purified water.

What Ebixa looks like and contents of the pack

Ebixa oral  solution is presented as a clear, colourless to light yellowish solution. 

Ebixa oral  solution is available in bottles of 50 ml, 100 ml or 10 x 50 ml.

Not all pack sizes may be marketed.

Marketing Authorisation Holder and Manufacturer

H. Lundbeck A/S
Ottiliavej 9
2500 Valby
Denmark.

For any information about this medicine, please contact the local representative of the Marketing 
Authorisation Holder.

Belgique/België/Belgien
Lundbeck S.A./N.V.
Tél/Tel: +32 2 535 7979

Lietuva
H. Lundbeck A/S, Danija
Tel: + 45 36301311

България
Lundbeck Export A/S Representative Office
Tel: +359 2 962 4696

Luxembourg/Luxemburg
Lundbeck S.A.
Tél: +32 2 340 2828

Česká republika 
Lundbeck Česká republika s.r.o.
Tel: +420 225 275 600

Magyarország
Lundbeck Hungaria Kft.
Tel: +36 1 4369980

Danmark
Lundbeck Pharma A/S
Tlf: +45 4371 4270

Malta
H. Lundbeck A/S, Denmark
Tel: + 45 36301311

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Deutschland
Lundbeck GmbH
Tel: +49 40 23649 0

Nederland
Lundbeck B.V.
Tel: +31 20 697 1901

Eesti
H. Lundbeck A/S, Taani
Tel: + 45 36301311

Norge
H. Lundbeck AS 
Tlf: +47 91 300 800

Ελλάδα
Lundbeck Hellas S.A.
Τηλ: +30 210 610 5036

Österreich
Lundbeck Austria GmbH
Tel: +43 1 266 9108

España
Lundbeck España S.A.
Tel: +34 93 494 9620

Polska
Lundbeck Poland Sp. z o. o. 
Tel.: + 48 22 626 93 00

France
Lundbeck SAS
Tél: + 33 1 79 41 29 00

Portugal
Lundbeck Portugal Lda
Tel: +351 21 00 45 900

Hrvatska
Lundbeck Croatia d.o.o.
Tel.: + 385 1 6448263

Ireland
Lundbeck (Ireland) Limited
Tel: +353 1 468 9800

România
Lundbeck Export A/S
Tel: +40 21319 88 26

Slovenija
Lundbeck Pharma d.o.o.
Tel.: +386 2 229 4500

Ísland
Vistor hf.
Tel: +354 535 7000

Slovenská republika
Lundbeck Slovensko s.r.o.
Tel: +421 2 5341 42 18

Italia
Lundbeck Italia S.p.A.
Tel: +39 02 677 4171

Suomi/Finland
Oy H. Lundbeck Ab
Puh/Tel: +358 2 276 5000

Κύπρος
Lundbeck Hellas  A.E
Τηλ.: +357 22490305

Sverige
H. Lundbeck AB
Tel: +46 4069 98200

Latvija
H. Lundbeck A/S, Dānija
Tel: + 45 36301311

United Kingdom
Lundbeck Limited
Tel: +44 1908 64 9966

This leaflet was last approved in MM/YYYY

Other sources of information

Detailed information on this medicine is available on the European Medicines Agency web site:
http://www.ema.europa.eu

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73

Instruction for proper use of the pump 

The solution must not be poured or pumped directly into the mouth from the bottle or pump. Measure 
the dose onto a spoon or into a glass of water, using the pump.

Take the screw cap off the bottle:

The cap must be turned anticlockwise, unscrewed completely and removed (fig. 1).

Mounting the dosing pump on the bottle:

Take the dosing pump out of the plastic bag (fig. 2) and place it on top of the bottle. Slide the plastic 
dip tube carefully into the bottle. Hold the dosing pump onto the neck of the bottle and screw it 
clockwise until it fits firmly (fig. 3). The dosing pump is only screwed on once when starting the use, 
and should never be unscrewed.

How the dosing pump works:

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74

The dosing pump head has two positions and is easy to turn:
- anticlockwise to unlock and 
- clockwise to lock.

The dosing pump head should not be pushed down while in the locked position. The solution may only 
be dispensed in the unlocked position. To unlock, turn the pump head in the direction of the arrow 
until it cannot be turned any further (about one eighth of a turn, fig. 4). The dosing pump is then ready 
for use.

Preparing the dosing pump:

When used for the first time, the dosing pump does not dispense the correct amount of oral solution. 
Therefore, the pump must be prepared (primed) by pushing the dosing pump head down completely 
five times in succession (fig. 5).

The solution thus dispensed is discarded. The next time the dosing pump head is pushed downwards 
completely (equivalent to one pump actuation), it dispenses the correct dose (fig. 6).

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75

Correct use of the dosing pump:

Place the bottle on a flat, horizontal surface, for example a table top, and only use it in an upright 
position. Hold a glass with a little water or a spoon below the nozzle. Push down the dosing pump 
head in a firm but calm and steady manner - not too slowly (fig. 7, fig. 8).

The dosing pump head can then be released and is ready for the next pump actuation.

The dosing pump must only be used with the Ebixa solution in the bottle provided, not for other 
substances or containers. If the pump does not function properly, consult your doctor or a pharmacist. 
Lock the dosing pump after using Ebixa.

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76

Package leaflet: Information for the user

Ebixa 5 mg film-coated tablets 
Ebixa 10 mg film-coated tablets
Ebixa 15 mg film-coated tablets
Ebixa 20 mg film-coated tablets

Memantine hydrochloride          

Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start taking this medicine because it contains 
important information for you.

- Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
- If you have any further questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
- This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Do not pass it on to others. It may harm them, 

even if their signs of illness are the same as yours.
- If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.. This includes any possible side 

effects not listed in this leaflet. See section 4.

What is in this leaflet

1. What Ebixa is and what it is used for
2. What you need to know before you take Ebixa
3. How to take Ebixa
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store Ebixa
6. Contents of the pack and other information

1. What Ebixa is and what it is used for

Ebixa contains the active substance memantine hydrochloride. It belongs to a group of medicines 
known as anti-dementia medicines.
Memory loss in Alzheimer’s disease is due to a disturbance of message signals in the brain. The brain 
contains so-called N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-receptors that are involved in transmitting nerve 
signals important in learning and memory. Ebixa belongs to a group of medicines called NMDA-
receptor antagonists. Ebixa acts on these NMDA-receptors improving the transmission of nerve 
signals and the memory.

Ebixa is used for the treatment of patients with moderate to severe Alzheimer’s disease.

2. What you need to know before you take Ebixa

Do not take Ebixa

- if you are allergic to memantine or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in
section 6). 

Warning and precautions

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Ebixa:

- if you have a history of epileptic seizures
- if you have recently experienced a myocardial infarction (heart attack), or if you are suffering 

from congestive heart failure or from an uncontrolled hypertension (high blood pressure).

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77

In these situations the treatment should be carefully supervised, and the clinical benefit of Ebixa 
reassessed by your doctor on a regular basis.

If you suffer from renal impairment (kidney problems), your doctor should closely monitor your 
kidney function and if necessary adapt the memantine doses accordingly.

If you are suffering from states of renal tubulary acidosis (RTA, an excess of acid-forming substances 
in the blood due to renal dysfunction (poor kidney function)) or severe infections of the urinary tract 
(structure that carries urine), your doctor may need to adjust the dose of your medicine.

The use of medicinal products called amantadine (for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease), ketamine 
(a substance generally used as an anaesthetic), dextromethorphan (generally used to treat cough) and 
other NMDA-antagonists at the same time should be avoided. 

Children and adolescents

Ebixa is not recommended for children and adolescents under the age of 18 years.

Other medicines and Ebixa

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other 
medicines,.

In particular, Ebixa may change the effects of the following medicines and their dose may need to be 
adjusted by your doctor:

- amantadine, ketamine, dextromethorphan
- dantrolene, baclofen
- cimetidine, ranitidine, procainamide, quinidine, quinine, nicotine
- hydrochlorothiazide (or any combination with hydrochlorothiazide)
- anticholinergics (substances generally used to treat movement disorders or intestinal cramps)
- anticonvulsants (substances used to prevent and relieve seizures)
- barbiturates (substances generally used to induce sleep)
- dopaminergic agonists (substances such as L-dopa, bromocriptine)
- neuroleptics (substances used in the treatment of mental disorders)
- oral anticoagulants

If you go into hospital, let your doctor know that you are taking Ebixa.

Ebixa with food and drink

You should inform your doctor if you have recently changed or intend to change your diet 
substantially (e.g. from normal diet to strict vegetarian diet), as your doctor may need to adjust the 
dose of your medicine.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding

If you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby,
ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine.

Pregnancy

The use of memantine in pregnant women is not recommended. 

Breast-feeding

Women taking Ebixa should not breast-feed.

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78

Driving and using machines

Your doctor will tell you whether your illness allows you to drive and to use machines safely.
Also, Ebixa may change your reactivity, making driving or operating machinery inappropriate. 

3. How to take Ebixa

The Ebixa treatment initiation pack is only to be used for the beginning of the treatment with Ebixa.

Always take Ebixa exactly as your doctor has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you 
are not sure. 

The recommended treatment dose of 20 mg per day is achieved by a gradual increase of the Ebixa 
dose during the first 3 weeks of treatment. The treatment scheme is also indicated on the treatment 
initiation pack. Take one tablet once a day.

Week 1 (day 1-7):
Take one 5 mg tablet once a day (white to off-white, oval-oblong) for 7 days.

Week 2 (day 8-14):
Take one 10 mg tablet once a day (pale yellow to yellow, oval shaped) for 7 days.

Week 3 (day 15-21): 
Take one 15 mg tablet once a day (grey-orange, oval-oblong) for 7 days.

Week 4 (day 22-28): 
Take one 20 mg tablet per day (grey-red, oval-oblong) for 7 days.

week 1 5 mg tablet

week 2 10 mg tablet

week 3 15 mg tablet

week 4 
and beyond

20 mg tablets once a day

Maintenance dose

The recommended daily dose is 20 mg once a day.
For continuation of the treatment please consult your doctor.

Dosage in patients with impaired kidney function

If you have impaired kidney function, your doctor will decide upon a dose that suits your condition. In 
this case, monitoring of your kidney function should be performed by your doctor at specified 
intervals.

Administration

Ebixa should be administered orally once a day. To benefit from your medicine you should take it 
regularly every day at the same time of the day. The tablets should be swallowed with some water. 
The tablets can be taken with or without food.

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79

Duration of treatment

Continue to take Ebixa as long as it is of benefit to you. Your doctor should assess your treatment on a 
regular basis. 

If you take more Ebixa than you should

- In general, taking too much Ebixa should not result in any harm to you. You may experience 
increased symptoms as described in section 4. ”Possible side effects”. 

- If you take a large overdose of Ebixa, contact your doctor or get medical advice, as you may 
need medical attention. 

If you forget to take Ebixa

- If you find you have forgotten to take your dose of Ebixa, wait and take your next dose at the 
usual time. 

- Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.

If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

4. Possible side effects

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.

In general, the observed side effects are mild to moderate. 

Common (affects 1 to 10 users in 100): 
 Headache, sleepiness, constipation, elevated liver function tests, dizziness, balance disorders, 

shortness of breath, high blood pressure and drug hypersensitivity

Uncommon (affects 1 to 10 users in 1,000):
 Tiredness, fungal infections, confusion, hallucinations, vomiting, abnormal gait, heart failure 

and venous blood clotting (thrombosis/thromboembolism) 

Very Rare (affects less than 1 user in 10,000):
 Seizures

Not known (frequency cannot be estimated from the available data):
 Inflammation of the pancreas, inflammation of the liver (hepatitis) and psychotic reactions

Alzheimer’s disease has been associated with depression, suicidal ideation and suicide. These events 
have been reported in patients treated with Ebixa.

Reporting of side effects

If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacis. This includes any possible side effects not 
listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the national reporting system listed in 
Appendix V. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this 
medicine.

5. How to store Ebixa

Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.

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80

Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the carton and the blister after EXP. 
The expiry date refers to the last day of that month. 

This medicinal product does not require any special storage conditions.

Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to 
throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.

6. Contents of the pack and other information

What Ebixa contains

- The active substance is memantine hydrochloride. Each tablet contains 5/10/15/20 mg 
ofmemantine hydrochloride equivalent to 4.15/8.31/12.46/16.62 mg memantine.

- The other ingredients for Ebixa 5/10/15 and 20 mg film-coated tablets are microcrystalline 
cellulose, croscarmellose sodium, colloidal anhydrous silica, magnesium stearate, all in the 
tablet core; and hypromellose, macrogol 400, titanium dioxide (E 171) and additional for 
Ebixa 10 mg film-coated tablets is iron oxide yellow (E172) and for Ebixa 15 mg and Ebixa 
20 mg film-coated tablets are iron oxide yellow and red (E 172), all in the tablet coating.

What Ebixa looks like and contents of the pack

Ebixa 5 mg film-coated tablets are presented as white to off-white, oval-oblong with imprint ‘5’ on one 
side and imprint ‘MEM’ on the other side. 
Ebixa 10 mg film-coated tablets are presented as pale yellow to yellow, oval shaped film-coated tablet 
with breaking line and engravings ‘1 0’ on one side and ‘M M’ on the other side. The tablet can be 
divided into equal doses. 
Ebixa 15 mg film-coated tablets are presented as orange to grey-orange, oval-oblong with imprint ‘15’ 
on one side and imprint ‘MEM’ on the other side. 
Ebixa 20 mg film-coated tablets are presented as are pale red to grey-red, oval-oblong with imprint ‘20’ 
on one side and imprint ‘MEM’ on the other side. 
One treatment initiation pack contains 28 tablets in 4 blisters with 7 tablets of Ebixa 5 mg, 7 tablets of 
Ebixa 10 mg, 7 tablets of Ebixa 15 mg and 7 tablets of Ebixa 20 mg.

Marketing Authorisation Holder and Manufacturer

H. Lundbeck A/S
Ottiliavej 9
2500 Valby
Denmark.

For any information about this medicine, please contact the local representative of the Marketing 
Authorisation Holder.

Belgique/België/Belgien
Lundbeck S.A./N.V.
Tél/Tel: +32 2 535 7979

Lietuva
H. Lundbeck A/S, Danija
Tel: + 45 36301311

България
Lundbeck Export A/S Representative Office
Tel: +359 2 962 4696

Luxembourg/Luxemburg
Lundbeck S.A.
Tél: +32 2 340 2828

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81

Česká republika 
Lundbeck Česká republika s.r.o.
Tel: +420 225 275 600

Magyarország
Lundbeck Hungaria Kft.
Tel: +36 1 4369980

Danmark
Lundbeck Pharma A/S
Tlf: +45 4371 4270

Malta
H. Lundbeck A/S, Denmark
Tel: + 45 36301311

Deutschland
Lundbeck GmbH
Tel: +49 40 23649 0

Nederland
Lundbeck B.V.
Tel: +31 20 697 1901

Eesti
H. Lundbeck A/S, Taani
Tel: + 45 36301311

Norge
H. Lundbeck AS 
Tlf: +47 91 300 800

Ελλάδα
Lundbeck Hellas S.A.
Τηλ: +30 210 610 5036

Österreich
Lundbeck Austria GmbH
Tel: +43 1 266 9108

España
Lundbeck España S.A.
Tel: +34 93 494 9620

Polska
Lundbeck Poland Sp. z o. o. 
Tel.: + 48 22 626 93 00

France
Lundbeck SAS
Tél: + 33 1 79 41 29 00

Portugal
Lundbeck Portugal Lda
Tel: +351 21 00 45 900

Hrvatska
Lundbeck Croatia d.o.o.
Tel.: + 385 1 6448263

Ireland
Lundbeck (Ireland) Limited
Tel: +353  1 468 9800

România
Lundbeck Export A/S
Tel: +40 21319 88 26

Slovenija
Lundbeck Pharma d.o.o.
Tel.: +386 2 229 4500

Ísland
Vistor hf.
Tel: +354 535 7000

Slovenská republika
Lundbeck Slovensko s.r.o.
Tel: +421 2 5341 42 18

Italia
Lundbeck Italia S.p.A.
Tel: +39 02 677 4171

Suomi/Finland
Oy H. Lundbeck Ab
Puh/Tel: +358 2 276 5000

Κύπρος
Lundbeck Hellas  A.E
Τηλ.: +357 22490305

Sverige
H. Lundbeck AB
Tel: +46 4069 98200

Latvija
H. Lundbeck A/S, Dānija
Tel: + 45 36301311

United Kingdom
Lundbeck Limited
Tel: +44 1908 64 9966

This leaflet was last approved in MM/YYYY

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82

Other sources of information

Detailed information on this medicine is available on the the European Medicines Agency web 
site:http://www.ema.europa.eu

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83

Package leaflet: Information for the user

Ebixa 20 mg film-coated tablets
Memantine hydrochloride

Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start taking this medicine because it contains 
important information for you.

- Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
- If you have any further questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
- This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Do not pass it on to others. It may harm them, 

even if their signs of illness are the same as yours.
- If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.  This includes any possible side 

effects not listed in this leaflet. See section 4.

What is in this leaflet

1. What Ebixa is and what it is used for
2. What you need to know before you take Ebixa
3. How to take Ebixa
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store Ebixa
6. Contents of the pack and other information

1. What Ebixa is and what it is used for

Ebixa contains the active substance memantine hydrochloride. It belongs to a group of medicines 
known as anti-dementia medicines.
Memory loss in Alzheimer’s disease is due to a disturbance of message signals in the brain. The brain 
contains so-called N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-receptors that are involved in transmitting nerve 
signals important in learning and memory. Ebixa belongs to a group of medicines called NMDA-
receptor antagonists. Ebixa acts on these NMDA-receptors improving the transmission of nerve 
signals and the memory.

Ebixa is used for the treatment of patients with moderate to severe Alzheimer’s disease.

2. Before you take Ebixa

Do not take Ebixa

- if you are allergic to memantine or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in
section 6). 

Warning and precautions

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Ebixa:

- if you have a history of epileptic seizures
- if you have recently experienced a myocardial infarction (heart attack), or if you are suffering 

from congestive heart failure or from an uncontrolled hypertension (high blood pressure).

In these situations the treatment should be carefully supervised, and the clinical benefit of Ebixa 
reassessed by your doctor on a regular basis.

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84

If you suffer from renal impairment (kidney problems), your doctor should closely monitor your 
kidney function and if necessary adapt the memantine doses accordingly.

If you are suffering from states of renal tubulary acidosis (RTA, an excess of acid-forming substances 
in the blood due to renal dysfunction (poor kidney function)) or severe infections of the urinary tract 
(structure that carries urine), your doctor may need to adjust the dose of your medicine.

The use of medicinal products called amantadine (for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease), ketamine 
(a substance generally used as an anaesthetic), dextromethorphan (generally used to treat cough) and 
other NMDA-antagonists at the same time should be avoided.

Children and adolescents
Ebixa is not recommended for children and adolescents under the age of 18 years.

Other medicines and Ebixa

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other 
medicines.

In particular, Ebixa may change the effects of the following medicines and their dose may need to be 
adjusted by your doctor:

- amantadine, ketamine, dextromethorphan
- dantrolene, baclofen
- cimetidine, ranitidine, procainamide, quinidine, quinine, nicotine
- hydrochlorothiazide (or any combination with hydrochlorothiazide)
- anticholinergics (substances generally used to treat movement disorders or intestinal cramps)
- anticonvulsants (substances used to prevent and relieve seizures)
- barbiturates (substances generally used to induce sleep)
- dopaminergic agonists (substances such as L-dopa, bromocriptine)
- neuroleptics (substances used in the treatment of mental disorders)
- oral anticoagulants

If you go into hospital, let your doctor know that you are taking Ebixa.

Ebixa with food and drink

You should inform your doctor if you have recently changed or intend to change your diet 
substantially (e.g. from normal diet to strict vegetarian diet), as your doctor may need to adjust the 
dose of your medicine.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding

If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby,ask 
your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine.

Pregnancy

The use of memantine in pregnant women is not recommended. 

Breast-feeding

Women taking Ebixa should not breast-feed.

Driving and using machines

Your doctor will tell you whether your illness allows you to drive and to use machines safely.

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85

Also, Ebixa may change your reactivity, making driving or operating machinery inappropriate. 

3. How to take Ebixa

Always take Ebixa exactly as your doctor has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you 
are not sure.

The recommended dose of Ebixa for adults and older people is 20 mg once a day. 

In order to reduce the risk of side effects this dose is achieved gradually by the following daily 
treatment scheme. For up-titration other tablet strengths are available.

At the beginning of treatment you will start by using Ebixa 5 mg film-coated tablets once a day. This 
dose will be increased weekly by 5 mg until the recommended (maintenance) dose is reached. The 
recommended maintenance dose is 20 mg once a day, which is reached at the beginning of the 4th 
week.

Dosage in patients with impaired kidney function

If you have impaired kidney function, your doctor will decide upon a dose that suits your condition. In 
this case, monitoring of your kidney function should be performed by your doctor at specified 
intervals.

Administration

Ebixa should be administered orally once a day. To benefit from your medicine you should take it 
regularly every day at the same time of the day. The tablets should be swallowed with some water. 
The tablets can be taken with or without food.

Duration of treatment

Continue to take Ebixa as long as it is of benefit to you. Your doctor should assess your treatment on a 
regular basis. 

If you take more Ebixa than you should

- In general, taking too much Ebixa should not result in any harm to you. You may experience 
increased symptoms as described in section 4. “Possible side effects”. 

- If you take a large overdose of Ebixa, contact your doctor or get medical advice, as you may 
need medical attention. 

If you forget to take Ebixa

- If you find you have forgotten to take your dose of Ebixa, wait and take your next dose at the
usual time. 

- Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.

If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

4. Possible side effects

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.

In general, the observed side effects are mild to moderate. 

Common (affects 1 to 10 users in 100): 

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86

 Headache, sleepiness, constipation, elevated liver function tests, dizziness, balance disorders, 
shortness of breath, high blood pressure and drug hypersensitivity

Uncommon (affects 1 to 10 users in 1,000):
 Tiredness, fungal infections, confusion, hallucinations, vomiting, abnormal gait, heart failure 

and venous blood clotting (thrombosis/thromboembolism) 

Very Rare (affects less than 1 user in 10,000):
 Seizures

Not known (frequency cannot be estimated from the available data):
 Inflammation of the pancreas, inflammation of the liver (hepatitis) and psychotic reactions

Alzheimer’s disease has been associated with depression, suicidal ideation and suicide. These events 
have been reported in patients treated with Ebixa.

Reporting of side effects

If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacis. This includes any possible side effects not 
listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the national reporting system listed in 
Appendix V. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this 
medicine.

5. How to store Ebixa

Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.

Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the carton and the blister after EXP. 
The expiry date refers to the last day of that month. 

This medicinal product does not require any special storage conditions.

Do not throw away any medicines  via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to 
throw away medicines you no longer required. These measures will help protect the environment.

6. Contents of the pack and other information

What Ebixa contains

- The active substance is memantine hydrochloride. Each film-coated tablet contains 20 mg
memantine hydrochloride equivalent to 16.62 mg memantine.

- The other ingredients are microcrystalline cellulose, croscarmellose sodium, colloidal 
anhydrous silica, magnesium stearate, all in the tablet core; and hypromellose, macrogol 400, 
titanium dioxide (E 171), iron oxide yellow and red (E 172), all in the tablet coating.

What Ebixa looks like and contents of the pack

Ebixa film-coated tablets are presented as pale red to grey-red, oval-oblong film-coated tablets with 
imprint ‘20’ on one side and imprint ‘MEM’ on the other side. 

Ebixa film-coated tablets are available in blister packs of 14 tablets, 28 tablets, 42 tablets, 49 x 1 
tablets, 56 tablets, 56 x 1 tablets, 70 tablets, 84 tablets, 98 tablets, 98 x 1 tablets, 100 x 1 tablets, 112 
tablets or 840 (20 x 42) tablets. The pack sizes 49 x 1, 56 x 1, 98 x 1 and 100 x 1 film-coated tablets 
are presented in unit dose blister.

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87

Not all pack sizes may be marketed.
Marketing Authorisation Holder and Manufacturer

H. Lundbeck A/S
Ottiliavej 9
2500 Valby
Denmark.

For any information about this medicine, please contact the local representative of the Marketing 
Authorisation Holder.

Belgique/België/Belgien
Lundbeck S.A./N.V.
Tél/Tel: +32 2 535 7979

Lietuva
H. Lundbeck A/S, Danija
Tel: + 45 36301311

България
Lundbeck Export A/S Representative Office
Tel: +359 2 962 4696

Luxembourg/Luxemburg
Lundbeck S.A.
Tél: +32 2 340 2828

Česká republika 
Lundbeck Česká republika s.r.o.
Tel: +420 225 275 600

Magyarország
Lundbeck Hungaria Kft.
Tel: +36 1 4369980

Danmark
Lundbeck Pharma A/S
Tlf: +45 4371 4270

Malta
H. Lundbeck A/S, Denmark
Tel: + 45 36301311

Deutschland
Lundbeck GmbH
Tel: +49 40 23649 0

Nederland
Lundbeck B.V.
Tel: +31 20 697 1901

Eesti
H. Lundbeck A/S, Taani
Tel: + 45 36301311

Norge
H. Lundbeck AS 
Tlf: +47 91 300 800

Ελλάδα
Lundbeck Hellas S.A.
Τηλ: +30 210 610 5036

Österreich
Lundbeck Austria GmbH
Tel: +43 1 266 9108

España
Lundbeck España S.A.
Tel: +34 93 494 9620

Polska
Lundbeck Poland Sp. z o. o. 
Tel.: + 48 22 626 93 00

France
Lundbeck SAS
Tél: + 33 1 79 41 29 00

Portugal
Lundbeck Portugal Lda
Tel: +351 21 00 45 900

Hrvatska
Lundbeck Croatia d.o.o.
Tel.: + 385 1 6448263

Ireland
Lundbeck (Ireland) Limited
Tel: +353 1 468 9800

România
Lundbeck Export A/S
Tel: +40 21319 88 26

Slovenija
Lundbeck Pharma d.o.o.
Tel.: +386 2 229 4500

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88

Ísland
Vistor hf.
Tel: +354 535 7000

Slovenská republika
Lundbeck Slovensko s.r.o.
Tel: +421 2 5341 42 18

Italia
Lundbeck Italia S.p.A.
Tel: +39 02 677 4171

Suomi/Finland
Oy H. Lundbeck Ab
Puh/Tel: +358 2 276 5000

Κύπρος
Lundbeck Hellas  A.E
Τηλ.: +357 22490305

Sverige
H. Lundbeck AB
Tel: +46 4069 98200

Latvija
H. Lundbeck A/S, Dānija
Tel: + 45 36301311

United Kingdom
Lundbeck Limited
Tel: +44 1908 64 9966

This leaflet was last approved in MM/YYYY

Other sources of information

Detailed information on this medicine is available on the European Medicines Agency web site:
http://www.ema.europa.eu

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	SUMMARY OF PRODUCT CHARACTERISTICS
	A. MANUFACTURER RESPONSIBLE FOR BATCH RELEASE
	B. CONDITIONS OR RESTRICTIONS REGARDING SUPPLY AND USE
	C. OTHER CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS OF THE MARKETING AUTHORISATION
	D. CONDITIONS OR RESTRICTIONS WITH REGARD TO THE SAFE AND EFFECTIVE USE OF THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT
	A. LABELLING
	B. PACKAGE LEAFLET