Amantadine: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Warnings - Drugs.com https://www.drugs.com/amantadine.

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Amantadine
Pronunciation: a-MAN-ta-deen
Generic name: amantadine
Brand names: Gocovri, Osmolex ER, Symmetrel
Drug classes: Adamantane antivirals, Dopaminergic antiparkinsonism agents

Medically reviewed by Philip Thornton, DipPharm. Last updated on Aug 15, 2023.

What is amantadine?
Amantadine is an antiviral medicine that blocks the actions of viruses in your body.

Amantadine is used to treat Parkinson's disease and "Parkinson-like" symptoms such as stiffness or
tremors, shaking, and repetitive uncontrolled muscle movements that may be caused by the use of
certain drugs.

Amantadine is also used to treat or prevent influenza A in adults and children. It may not be effective
during every flu season because certain strains of the virus may be resistant to amantadine. This
medicine should not be used in place of getting a yearly flu shot. The Centers for Disease Control
recommends an annual flu shot to help protect you each year from new strains of influenza virus.

Amantadine is available as tablets, capsules, and oral solution.

Warnings
You should not use amantadine if you received a nasal flu vaccine in the past 14 days.

Do not receive a nasal flu vaccine while taking amantadine, and for at least 48 hours after your last
dose. You may receive a flu shot (injection) while taking amantadine.

Avoid driving and doing other tasks or actions that call for you to be alert or have clear eyesight until
you see how this amantadine affects you.

To lower the chance of feeling dizzy or passing out, rise slowly if you have been sitting or lying down.
Be careful going up and down stairs.

Heat stroke has happened in people taking amantadine. Be careful in hot weather and during physical
activity.

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If you have kidney problems, talk with your doctor. Your dose may need to be changed based on how
well your kidneys work. Deaths have happened in people with kidney problems whose dose was too
high for their kidney function.

Do not stop taking amantadine all of a sudden without calling your doctor. You may have a greater risk
of side effects. If you need to stop amantadine, you will want to slowly stop it as ordered by your
doctor.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use amantadine if you are allergic to it, or if:

• you have severe kidney disease; or

• you received a "live" nasal flu vaccine (FluMist) within the past 14 days.

To make sure amantadine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• kidney disease;

• daytime drowsiness (caused by a sleep disorder or taking certain medicines);

• congestive heart failure;

• eczema;

• glaucoma;

• liver disease;

• a seizure;

• low blood pressure, fainting spells;

• alcoholism or drug addiction; or

• mental illness, psychosis, or suicidal thoughts or actions.

People with Parkinson's disease may have a higher risk of skin cancer (melanoma). Talk to your
doctor about this risk and what skin symptoms to watch for.

It is not known whether amantadine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or
plan to become pregnant.

You should not breast-feed while using this medicine.

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Amantadine is not approved for influenza in a child younger than 1 year old. Gocovri is not approved
for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.

Amantadine pregnancy and breastfeeding warnings (more detail)

How should I take amantadine?

Take amantadine exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label
and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose.

If you take amantadine to treat influenza A, start taking the medicine within 24 to 48 hours after flu
symptoms begin. Keep taking this medicine for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms may
improve before the infection is completely cleared.

You may take amantadine with or without food. You may need to take this medicine only at bedtime.
Follow your doctor's instructions.

Measure liquid oral solution carefully. Use the dosing syringe provided, or use a medicine dose-
measuring device (not a kitchen spoon).

Swallow the capsule or tablet whole and do not crush, chew, or break it.

If you cannot swallow a capsule whole, open it and sprinkle the medicine into a spoonful of
applesauce. Swallow the mixture right away without chewing. Do not save it for later use.

Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve, or if you have a fever with a headache, cough, skin
rash, or other new symptoms.

If you take amantadine for Parkinson symptoms: You should not stop using amantadine suddenly
or your condition may become worse. Stopping suddenly may also cause unpleasant withdrawal
symptoms. Ask your doctor how to safely stop using this medicine.

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light. Keep the bottle tightly closed when not
in use.

Detailed Amantadine dosage information

What happens if I miss a dose?

Skip the missed dose and use your next dose at the regular time. Do not use two doses at one time.

Call your doctor if you miss several doses in a row.

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What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. An overdose of
amantadine can be fatal.

Overdose symptoms may include confusion, agitation, behavior changes, hallucinations, severe
headache or pounding in your ears, muscle stiffness, problems with balance or walking, trouble
breathing, fast heartbeats, or seizure.

What to avoid
Do not receive a nasal flu vaccine while using amantadine, and for at least 48 hours after your
last dose. The vaccine may not work as well during this time, and may not protect you from influenza.
You may receive a flu shot (injection) while taking amantadine.

Do not drink alcohol. Dangerous side effects could occur.

Avoid driving or operating machinery until you know how amantadine will affect you. Amantadine may
impair your thinking or reactions. Some people taking this medicine have fallen asleep during normal
daytime activities such as working, talking, eating, or driving. You may fall asleep suddenly, even after
feeling alert. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.

Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy.

Avoid taking diet pills, caffeine pills, or other stimulants (such as ADHD medications) without your
doctor's advice. Taking a stimulant together with amantadine can increase your risk of unpleasant
side effects.

Amantadine side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to amantadine: hives; difficult
breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

• extreme drowsiness, falling asleep suddenly even after feeling alert;

• a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;

• shortness of breath (even with mild exertion), swelling in your hands or feet;

• painful or difficult urination;

• depression, agitation, aggression, behavior changes, hallucinations, thoughts of hurting yourself;

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• a seizure; or

• severe nervous system reaction - very stiff (rigid) muscles, high fever, sweating, confusion, fast
or uneven heartbeats, tremors.

You may have increased sexual urges, unusual urges to gamble, or other intense urges while taking
this medicine. Talk with your doctor if this occurs.

Side effects may be more likely in older adults.

Common amantadine side effects may include:

• dizziness, falls;

• dry mouth;

• swelling in your legs or feet;

• nausea, constipation; or

• sleep problems (insomnia).

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice
about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Amantadine side effects (more detail)

What other drugs will affect amantadine?

Using amantadine with other drugs that make you drowsy can worsen this effect. Ask your doctor
before using opioid medication, a sleeping pill, a muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety or seizures.

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

• glaucoma medication; or

• medicine that contains sodium bicarbonate (such as Alka-Seltzer).

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with amantadine, including prescription and over-
the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed
here.

Amantadine drug interactions (more detail)

Popular FAQ

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What is the difference between Osmolex ER and Gocovri?

What is Gocovri used to treat?

More FAQ
• Why should you not discontinue amantadine?

• How long does it take for amantadine to start working?

• Why was amantadine discontinued for flu?

• What symptoms does amantadine treat?

• What is Gocovri (amantadine) and how does it work?

View more FAQ…

Further information
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines
with others, and use amantadine only for the indication prescribed.

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to
your personal circumstances.

Copyright 1996-2024 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 12.01.

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