Gender-specific Rhabdomyolysis risk in Alzheimer’s disease patients receiving memantine: a pharmacovigilance study

Abstract

Alzheimer’s disease is a neurodegenerative disease. Using FDA Adverse Event Reporting System database, a pharmacovigilance study for gender specific rhabdomyolysis risk in memantine users was conducted between January 2016-June 2023. “R” statistical tool was used to calculate the reporting odds ratio (95%CI), which serves as a signal index. Memantine showed a signal, when the whole dataset is used as a comparator, but not when AChEIs are used. ROR,95% CI value for male memantine consumers 5.68 (2.12 - 15.19), for female 7.98 (2.55-24.70) while using whole dataset as comparator. Again, male patients value is 1.40 (0.46 - 4.26), whereas 2.53 (0.65 - 9.83) for females, using AChEIs as comparator. Females have a higher risk of developing rhabdomyolysis than males as the ROR value was higher for them in both comparisons. Thus, data shows memantine has a safer, more acceptable profile than AChEIs & can be considered in comparison to other options.