Mematine smell?

howdoidothis

Has anyone noticed an odor coming off their LO after starting mematine?
My mother’s Dr added mematine to donapezil about a month ago. Lately I notice an odor when I hug her. She is early on and still keeping up with hygiene and clean clothes so it’s not a cleanliness problem.
The literature doesn’t mention a smell as a side effect so I’m not sure if I’m noticing a causation or just a correlation due to aging.

harshedbuzz

@howdoidothis

Memantine is indicated for moderate to severe dementia, so it's possible her doctor judges her to be beyond "early on".

Are you observing mom in the shower? Showering is a fairly complex ADL with multiple steps. It's also an activity that requires a certain amount of mobility. Perhaps she's skipping soap/shampoo or missing some hot spots. Mild incontinence can also lead to odors.

There is some debate on whether older people smell different than they did when younger as a result of aging. I'd ask the doctor about this.

HB

Carl46

I haven't noticed any odor on my wife. She has been on memantine for years.

Russinator

I'm with Carl46: I haven't noticed any odor on my wife. She has been on memantine for years.

sandwichone123

My mom certainly smelled different in the weeks before she died. She hadn't had any medication changes, but the change was noticeable.

Emily 123

I mean, for what it's worth, my mom was taking a multi-vitamin but thinking it was her prescribed meds. Do you think there might be something she's mistakenly applying to herself?

dancsfo

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/71404/mematine-smell

It may be related to aging, rather than medication. Also, mematine may cause constipation as a side effect, and that may affect bowel movement and its schedule?

https://www.franklinpark.org/blog/old-people-smell