Amantadine

Pronunciation

Brand Names

Canadian/Mexican Brand Names

Therapeutic Categories

What is this medicine used for?

• This medicine is used for the treatment of Parkinson's disease.
• It is also used to prevent or treat influenza A.

How does it work?

• As an antiviral, amantadine prevents the virus's activity in you.
• When used in Parkinson's disease, it causes an increase of a chemical called dopamine in the brain.

How is it best taken?

• Take with or without food. Take with food if this medicine causes an upset stomach.
• Take early in the day to avoid sleep problems. Take at least 4 hours before bedtime.
• May sprinkle contents of capsule on food.
• A liquid (syrup) is available if you cannot swallow pills. Those who have feeding tubes can also use the liquid. Flush the feeding tube before and after medicine is given.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
• If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to your regular schedule.
• Do not take a double dose or extra doses.
• Do not change dose or stop taking medicine without talking with healthcare provider. Stopping this medicine could worsen Parkinson's symptoms.

What are the precautions when taking this medicine?

• If you are 65 or older, you may have more side effects. You could feel sleepy and shaky.
• You may not be alert. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or hobbies until you see how this medicine affects you.
• Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor) and other medicines that slow your actions and reactions. This includes sedatives, tranquilizers, mood stabilizers, or pain medicine. Talk with healthcare provider.
• Use care if you have a seizure history or history of mental problems. Talk with healthcare provider.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are breast-feeding.

What are the common side effects of this medicine?

• Feeling lightheaded or dizzy. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or hobbies that require you to be alert until you see how this medicine affects you.
• Inability to sleep. Take at least 4 hours before bedtime.
• Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard candy, or chewing gum may help.

What should I monitor?

• Follow up with healthcare provider.

Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately

• Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Changes in balance, feeling shaky or unsteady.
• Changes in thinking clearly and logically.
• Severe nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea.
• Any rash.

How should I store this medicine?

• Store in a tight container at room temperature.
• Do not freeze syrup.

General statements

• Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
• Keep a list of all your (prescription, herbal/supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) medicines with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant)
• Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs, vitamins).

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