Donepezil vs Memantine: what is the difference?
Donepezil makes the remaining acetylcholine last longer by blocking acetylcholinesterase, while memantine partly blocks the NMDA glutamate receptor.
Sources and notes
- The sentence under the titlefrom sourceMoleculeFinder comparison notesThe pair's answer line.
- The two drawingscomputedMoleculeFinder rule (RDKit MCS)Each molecule's own drawing, as its page shows it. The common core, 10 of 28 atoms, is too small to align on.
Side by side
| Donepezil | Memantine | |
|---|---|---|
| Molecular weightCalculated PubChem | 379.5 g/molC24H29NO3 | 179.3 g/molC12H21N |
| Hydrogen-bond donorsCalculated PubChem | 0 | 1 |
| FamilyEditorial MoleculeFinder curated | Dementia medicine | Dementia medicine |
| Everyday groupEditorial MoleculeFinder curated | Prescription medicine | Prescription medicine |
| Chemical groupsCalculated Found by rule (RDKit) | Aromatics, Ketones, Ethers | Amines |
| Hazard labelReported ECHA via PubChem | Danger | Warning |
| The supplier-filed hazard label's signal word, not a statement about ordinary use. | ||
Sources and notes
- Molecular weightcomputedPubChemComputed from the structure; the formula is under each weight.
- Hydrogen-bond donorscomputedPubChemThe hydrogens on nitrogen or oxygen that each molecule can lend to a hydrogen bond, counted from its structure.
- Familyfrom sourceMoleculeFinder curated
- Everyday groupfrom sourceMoleculeFinder curated
- Chemical groupscomputedFound by rule (RDKit)Each group is found in the structure by a chemical pattern.
- Hazard labelfrom sourceECHA via PubChem
- ECHAfrom sourceAttributionSource: European Chemicals Agency, echa.europa.eu.
- Identifiersfrom sourcePubChemPubChem CID 3152 (Donepezil) and 4054 (Memantine).
In more detail
Both are used in Alzheimer's disease and they act on opposite sides of the synapse. Donepezil blocks acetylcholinesterase, so the acetylcholine that is still being released lasts longer, which is a way of making the most of a declining supply. Memantine blocks the NMDA glutamate receptor partially, which is aimed at the excess glutamate signalling thought to damage neurons in later disease. Because the two mechanisms do not overlap, they are frequently used together rather than as alternatives. Donepezil is the larger molecule at 379.5 against memantine's 179.3, and memantine is an adamantane, the same cage structure as the antiviral amantadine.
Sources and notes
- The paragraphfrom sourceMoleculeFinder comparison notes
Questions
- What is the difference between Donepezil and Memantine?
- Donepezil makes the remaining acetylcholine last longer by blocking acetylcholinesterase, while memantine partly blocks the NMDA glutamate receptor.
- Is Donepezil bigger than Memantine?
- Donepezil is the heavier molecule, 379.5 g/mol against 179.3 g/mol for Memantine. Donepezil is C24H29NO3 and Memantine is C12H21N.
Sources and notes
- The answersfrom sourceMoleculeFinderThe first is the pair's answer line; the others are read off the table above.