MEMANTINE

Clinical Indication

Alzheimer's Disease

Comments

GPs may initiate memantine in patients already established on treatment in memory services and stabilised on a cholinesterase inhibitor.

The aim is to reduce pressure on memory clinics, freeing up capacity to assess new
patients and initiate treatment where appropriate.

This change is permissive, not mandatory. No clinician is expected to prescribe outside
of their own clinical competence. However, GPs who feel confident and clinically able
to do so may now initiate Memantine in appropriate, pre-diagnosed patients.

In line with the NICE NG 97 & The Dementia Prescribing Guide 

Date of classification

October 2025