This medication description is not meant for treatment prescription without the intervention of a specialist.

Common Uses

Amantadine is an antiparkinson and antiviral agent. How Amantadine works against the flu is not known. It may block reproduction of the virus and decrease the ability of the virus to get into the cells. How Amantadine works against Parkinson disease is not known. It may increase a certain chemical in the brain. It is used for preventing and treating certain types of flu. It is used to treat Parkinson disease and uncontrolled muscle movements caused by some medicines. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

How to Take

For the treatment or prevention of flu: Older adults - 100 milligrams once a day. Adults and children 12 years of age and older - 200 milligrams once a day, or 100 milligrams two times a day.

Children 9 to 12 years of age—100 milligrams two times a day. Children 1 to 9 years of age - Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by the doctor. Children up to 1 year of age - Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

For the treatment of Parkinson's disease or movement problems: Older adults - 100 milligrams once a day to start. The dose may be increased slowly over time, if needed. Adults - 100 milligrams one or two times a day. Your doctor may increase this dose, if needed. Children - Dose has not been determined.

Warning and Precautions

Amantadine may cause drowsiness, dizziness, or blurred vision. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Amantadine with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.

Amantadine may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting; alcohol, hot weather, exercise, or fever may increase these effects. To prevent them, sit up or stand slowly, especially in the morning. Sit or lie down at the first sign of any of these effects.

Limit alcohol intake while you are taking Amantadine. Talk with you doctor before you drink alcohol or use medicines that may cause drowsiness (eg, sleep aids, muscle relaxers) while you are using Amantadine; it may add to their effects. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions about which medicines may cause drowsiness.

Do not become overheated in hot weather or while you are being active; heatstroke may occur.

Amantadine only works against certain types of the flu; it does not treat other viral infections (eg, the common cold).

If you are taking Amantadine for the flu, be sure to use Amantadine for the full course of treatment. If you do not, the medicine may not clear up your infection completely. The virus could also become less sensitive to this or other medicines. This could make the infection harder to treat in the future.

You usually should not receive a live nasal flu vaccine within 14 days before or 2 days after you take Amantadine . The vaccine may not work as well. Talk with your doctor before you receive any vaccine.

If you are taking Amantadine for Parkinson disease, increase physical activity slowly as your symptoms improve.

Do not suddenly stop taking Amantadine without first checking with your doctor. Your dose may need to be lowered slowly to avoid side effects.

Missed Dose

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Overdose

Contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include aggression; chest pain; confusion; decreased urination; fast or irregular heartbeat; fever; hallucinations; loss of consciousness; mental or mood changes; seizures; severe drowsiness; severe or persistent headache or dizziness; tremor; trouble breathing; trouble walking. Overdose of Amantadine may cause death.

Storage

Store Amantadine at room temperature, between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C), in a tightly closed container. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Amantadine out of the reach of children and away from pets.

Possible Side Effects

Common side effects: appetite loss; blurred vision; constipation; diarrhea; dizziness; drowsiness; dry mouth or nose; headache; lightheadedness; nausea; strange dreams; tiredness; trouble sleeping. Seek medical attention right away if any of these severe side effects occur: severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); aggression; agitation; confusion; depression; fainting; fast or irregular heartbeat; fever; hallucinations; memory loss; mental or mood changes; muscle problems (eg, spasms, uncontrolled movements); paranoid thoughts; personality changes; seizures; severe or persistent drowsiness or trouble sleeping; shortness of breath; sore throat; swelling of hands, legs, feet, or ankles; thoughts of suicide; trouble urinating; unusual anxiety or irritability; vision changes.

More Information

The information given above is a summary. Your pharmacist can provide more information about Amantadine. Do not share this medicine with others for whom it was not prescribed. Do not use this medicine for other health conditions. If using this medicine for an extended period of time, obtain refills before your supply runs out.