Namenda is used for moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease; is it a cholinesterase inhibitor?

• A. Yes
• B. No
• C. Only in mild disease
• D. Only with memantine combination

Answer: (B)

Namenda (memantine) is not a cholinesterase inhibitor. It works by blocking NMDA receptors, which reduces excitotoxicity from glutamate that can contribute to neuronal damage in Alzheimer's disease. This mechanism is different from cholinesterase inhibitors (donepezil, rivastigmine, galantamine), which prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine to boost cholinergic signaling. Memantine is approved for moderate to severe Alzheimer’s and can be used alone or in combination with a cholinesterase inhibitor (for example, the fixed‑dose product that combines memantine with donepezil). So, Namenda is not a cholinesterase inhibitor.