A Review of the Efficacy and Saftey of Namzaric® in Treating Alzheimer's Disease 

 

Namzaric is a well-studied, FDA-approved medication for moderate to severe Alzheimer’s, that combines two drugs in one pill: donepezil (Aricept) and memantine (Namenda). Donepezil helps improve communication between brain cells by increasing a chemical called acetylcholine. Memantine protects brain cells by regulating glutamate, a chemical that can cause damage when too active. It can help improve symptoms related to memory and daily life, but does not stop the disease itself. Side effects are usually manageable. Talk with your doctor about whether Namzaric is a good option based on the patient’s stage of disease and overall health.

 
 
HOW LARGE WAS TREATMENT EFFECT
  • Clinical trials showed that patients taking Namzaric had modest to moderate statistical improvements in  cognitive function and daily abilities after about 6 months compared to those who didn’t take it. 
    • For example, one major 24-week trial in PD dementia showed an average improvement of about 2 points on cognitive tests compared to a slight decline in those taking placebo.
      • Whether the improvements are clinically significant is a complex question that stil needs to be determined.
        • While there are benefits in cognition and behavior, the effect on overall function (everyday tasks) was less consistent.
  • Benefits typically include better memory, attention, and ability to do everyday activities

 

number needs to treat (nnt)

  • Studies suggest that the NNT for Namzaric to achieve a beneficial effect (improvement or slowed decline in symptoms) in moderate to severe Alzheimer’s disease is approximately 20. This means that about 1 in 20 patients treated will benefit meaningfully from the medication compared to placebo in aproximately 24 to 28 weeks (about 6 months).

  • In other words, out of 100 people followed for 6 months, 20 patients on Namzaric had  improvement in overall condition versus about 14 people on placebo. 

 

How soon can namzaric's effects start?
  • Typically, it takes several weeks to a few months to see measurable improvements with Namzaric in Alzheimer’s disease symptoms.
  • Improvements may start to be noticed within 4 to 6 weeks after starting Namzaric, once an effective dose is reached.
  • Full effects on cognition and daily functioning often take up to 3 months or sometimes longer.
  • As Namzaric combines donepezil and memantine, the timeframe aligns with what is seen for each drug individually—donepezil often shows effects by 4 to 6 weeks, and memantine effects might take several weeks to build up.
  • Because the medication dose is usually increased gradually over weeks to reduce side effects, noticeable benefits can take time and continuous monitoring.

 

How Long Do Effects Last?
  • Benefits tend to be maintained as long as the medication is taken consistently.
  • Stopping Namzaric may lead to a decline in cognition and daily function.
  • Treatment response should be evaluated regularly by the healthcare provider, usually every 3 to 6 months, to decide if continuing the medication remains beneficial.
  • There is limited data from long-term studies beyond one year, but many patients remain on Namzaric for prolonged periods under medical supervision.

 

Number Needed to Harm (NNH)
  • The NNH, which estimates how many patients need to be treated before one experiences a significant adverse effect, varies depending on the side effect. Higher doses of donepezil (one component of Namzaric) are associated with greater risks of vomiting, syncope (fainting), and weight loss, but precise NNH values vary by study and side effect.
  • Generally, serious adverse events are less common than benefits, but close monitoring is necessary.

 

bOTTOM LINE FOR PATIENTS AND CAREGIVERS

  • Namzaric offers meaningful cognitive and symptomatic relief for a minority of patients with moderate to severe Alzheimer’s, helping slow decline and improve quality of life for several months with manageable side effects.

  • Families and caregivers should expect it may take about 1 to 3 months of Namzaric treatment to observe meaningful improvement or slowing of symptoms, with ongoing evaluation by the healthcare provider.

  • Namzaric is taken once a day by mouth as a capsule. Because it combines two helpful drugs into one pill, it can be easier to take and help with medication adherence and may also reduce caregiver burden by simplifying treatment.

  • The capsule can be swallowed whole or opened and sprinkled on soft food if swallowing is difficult (but should not be crushed or chewed)

  • Side effects occur less frequently but can include gastrointestinal issues and fainting.

  • A careful balance of benefit to risk should be discussed with healthcare providers for individualized decision-making.