Amantadine
Description
Amantadine is an antiviral medicine used in the treatment of infections caused by the influenza A virus. It is also used alone or in combination with other medicines to treat Parkinson's disease and Parkinson-like symptoms. These may include shakiness, stiffness, and slowness of movement. This medicine should be used with caution in patients with a known history of seizure disorders due to the increased risk of recurrent seizures.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Amantadine
- Blurred vision
- Confusion
- Fainting
- Pain and swelling of joint
- Headache
- Irritability
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
- Trouble sleeping
Uses of Amantadine
What is it prescribed for?
- Influenza Prophylaxis
- Influenza A infections
- Parkinson's disease
- Extrapyramidal Reaction
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe effect of this medicine can be observed within 48 hours of administration of the dose.
- Duration of effectThe time until which this medicine remains active in the body is not clinically established.
- Safe with alcohol?Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
- Is it habit forming?No habit forming tendency has been reported.
- Usage in pregnancy?This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine.
- Usage while breast-feeding?This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine. Your doctor may advise you to discontinue the drug or to discontinue breastfeeding based on your clinical condition.
Allergy
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with a known allergy to amantadine or any other inactive ingredient present along with it.
Narrow angle glaucoma
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with a known history of untreated narrow-angle glaucoma due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine.
Breast-feeding
This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine. Your doctor may advise you to discontinue the drug or to discontinue breastfeeding based on your clinical condition.
General warnings
Compulsive Behaviors
This medicine should be used with caution due to the increased risk of impulsive or compulsive behaviors. These may include an intense urge to gamble, binge eat, or spend money. Close monitoring of the patients for any change in behavior and mood is recommended during treatment with this medicine. Any unusual symptoms should be reported to the doctor on priority. Replacement with a suitable alternative may be necessary based on the clinical condition of the patient.
Hallucinations
Amantadine should be used with caution due to an increased risk of severe side effects such as hallucinations, psychotic episodes, and confusion. This risk is especially higher in the elderly patients. Close monitoring of patients for any changes in mood and behavior is recommended during treatment with this medicine. Any unusual symptoms should be reported to the doctor on priority. It is advised that you do not perform any activities that require high mental alertness such as driving a vehicle or operating machinery while taking this medicine.
Falling asleep during daily activities
Amantadine should be used with caution due to the increased risk of side effects such as dizziness, fainting, and drowsiness. This may cause you to fall asleep during your day-to-day activities. It is advised that you do not perform any activities that require high mental alertness such as driving a vehicle or operating machinery while taking this medicine.
Hepatic disease
Amantadine should be used with caution in patients with a history of liver disease and active liver disease due to the increased risk of severe adverse effects. Any unusual symptoms should be reported to the doctor on priority. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required based on the clinical condition.
Missed Dose
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up for the missed dose.
Overdose
Seek emergency medical treatment or contact the doctor in case of an overdose.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Instructions
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine
Clozapine
Dicyclomine
Doxepin
Loxapine
Azatadine
Disease interactions
Renal impairment
Amantadine should be used with extreme caution in patients with renal diseases due to the increased risk of severe adverse effects. Renal function should be assessed before initiating the treatment. Appropriate dose adjustments should be done under your doctor's supervision.
Depression
This medicine should be used with extreme caution in patients with a known history of depression due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Patients should be monitored closely for any changes in behavior and mood. Replacement with a suitable alternative may be necessary based on the clinical condition of the patient.
Psychosis
Amantadine is not recommended for use in patients with a known history of psychotic disorders due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Close monitoring of the patients for any changes in behavior or mood may be necessary based on the clinical condition. Replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases.
Hypotension
Amantadine may increase the risk of orthostatic hypotension. This risk is especially higher in patients receiving high blood pressure medicines and elderly patients. Close monitoring of blood pressure may be necessary for such patients. Patients are advised to get up slowly from a sitting or a lying position to avoid fainting and falling. Report any unusual symptoms to the doctor immediately. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be necessary based on the clinical condition.
Seizures
This medicine should be used with extreme caution in patients with a known history of seizure disorder due to the increased risk of recurrent seizures. Consult the doctor immediately in case of any unusual side effects. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be necessary based on the clinical condition.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Take Amantadine exactly as instructed by the doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller quantities than recommended. Ensure that proper hygiene measures are adopted. Complete the course of treatment to prevent the spread of the infection. Close monitoring of kidney function may be necessary during treatment with this medicine. Do not stop the use of this medicine without consulting your doctor.
Miscelleneous
How it works
Amantadine blocks the influenza A virus from multiplying and stops the spread of the infection. It also increases the concentration of dopamine in the brain, a natural substance which helps in relieving the symptoms of Parkinson's disease.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Adamantane antivirals, Dopaminergic Antiparkinsonism agents
Schedule
Schedule H
Amantadine - DrugBank [Internet]. Drugbank.ca. 2017 [cited 29 August 2017]. Available from:
Amantadine: MedlinePlus Drug Information [Internet]. Medlineplus.gov. 2017 [cited 29 August 2017]. Available from:
DailyMed: Amantadine capsule [Internet]. Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2017 [cited 29 August 2017]. Available from:
Prescribing medicines in pregnancy database [Internet]. Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). 2017 [cited 29 August 2017]. Available from:
Information on this page was last updated on 29 Jan 2020
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.