What is amantadine?
Amantadine is an antiviral medication. It blocks the actions of viruses in your body.
Amantadine is used to treat and to prevent influenza A (a viral infection). There may be some flu
seasons during which amantadine is not recommended because certain flu strains may be resistant to
this drug.
Amantadine is also used to treat Parkinson's disease and "Parkinson-like" symptoms such as
stiffness and shaking that may be caused by the use of certain drugs.
Amantadine may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking amantadine?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to amantadine, or if you have received
a nasal flu vaccine (FluMist) within the past 14 days.
If you have certain conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take
this medication. Before you take amantadine, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you
have:
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epilepsy or other seizure disorder;
-
congestive heart failure;
-
kidney disease;
-
liver disease;
-
low blood pressure or fainting;
-
eczema;
-
glaucoma; or
-
a history of mental illness, suicide attempt, or drug/alcohol
addiction.
You may have increased sexual urges, unusual urges to gamble, or other
intense urges while taking amantadine. It is not known whether the medicine actually causes this effect.
Talk with your doctor if you believe you have any intense or unusual urges while taking amantadine.
Some people taking medicines for Parkinson's disease have developed skin cancer
(melanoma). However, people with Parkinson's disease may have a higher risk than most people for
developing melanoma. Talk to your doctor about your specific risk and what skin symptoms to watch
for. You may need to have regular skin exams.
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether this medication is harmful to an
unborn baby. Before taking amantadine, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become
pregnant during treatment.
Amantadine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this
medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take amantadine?
Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger
amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your
prescription label.
Take this medicine with a full glass of water.
Measure the liquid form of amantadine with a special dose-measuring spoon or cup, not a
regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.
If you are taking amantadine to treat influenza A, start taking the medication within 24 to 48
hours after flu symptoms begin. Keep taking the medication for the entire length of time prescribed by
your doctor. Your symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated.
If you are taking amantadine to treat Parkinson symptoms, do not stop taking the
medication without first talking to your doctor. If you stop taking amantadine suddenly, your condition
may become worse.
Store amantadine at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose of amantadine?
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 your next regularly scheduled time.
Do not
take
extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Where can I get more information about amantadine?
Your pharmacist has information about amantadine written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of amantadine?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic
reaction:
hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
-
feeling short of breath, even with mild exertion;
-
swelling, rapid weight gain;
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feeling depressed, agitated, or aggressive;
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behavior changes, hallucinations, thoughts of hurting
yourself;
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urinating less than usual or not at all;
-
high fever, stiff muscles, confusion, sweating, fast or
uneven heartbeats, rapid breathing, feeling like you might pass out;
-
restless muscle movements in your eyes, tongue, jaw, or
neck; or
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tremor (uncontrolled shaking).
Less serious side effects may include:
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dizziness, drowsiness, headache;
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sleep problems (insomnia), strange dreams;
-
feeling nervous;
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nausea, diarrhea, constipation, loss of appetite;
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dry mouth, dry nose; or
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loss of balance or coordination.
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. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about amantadine?
Do not use FluMist nasal influenza "live vaccine" while you are being treated with
amantadine and for at least 48 hours after you stop taking amantadine. The nasal vaccine may not be
as effective if you receive it while you are taking amantadine. Before taking amantadine, tell your
doctor if you have received a nasal flu vaccine within the past 14 days.
Before taking amantadine, tell your doctor if you have epilepsy or other seizure disorder,
congestive heart failure, kidney or liver disease, low blood pressure, eczema, glaucoma, or a history of
mental illness, suicide attempt, or drug/alcohol addiction.
Amantadine can cause side effects that may impair your thinking, vision, or reactions. Be
careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert and able to see clearly.
If you are taking amantadine to treat influenza A, take the medication for the entire length of
time prescribed by your doctor. Your symptoms may get better before the infection is completely
treated.
If you are taking amantadine to treat Parkinson symptoms, do not stop taking the
medication without first talking to your doctor. If you stop taking amantadine suddenly, your condition
may become worse.
You may have increased sexual urges, unusual urges to gamble, or other intense urges while
taking this medication. Talk with your doctor if you believe you have any intense or unusual urges while
taking amantadine.
What should I avoid while taking amantadine?
Do not use FluMist nasal influenza "live vaccine" while you are being treated with
amantadine and for at least 48 hours after you stop taking amantadine. The nasal vaccine may not be
as effective if you receive it while you are taking amantadine. Before taking amantadine, tell your
doctor if you have received a nasal flu vaccine within the past 14 days.
Amantadine can cause side effects that may impair your vision, thinking, or reactions. Be
careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert and able to see clearly.
Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy. Get up slowly
and steady yourself to prevent a fall.
Avoid drinking alcohol. It can increase some of the side effects of amantadine.
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.
What other drugs will affect amantadine?
Before taking amantadine, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:
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atropine (Atreza, Sal-Tropine, and others);
-
dicyclomine (Bentyl);
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glycopyrrolate (Robinul);
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hyoscyamine (Anaspaz, Levbid, Levsin, Nulev, and others);
-
mepenzolate (Cantil);
-
methscopolamine (Pamine);
-
propantheline (Pro-Banthine);
-
scopolamine (Maldemar, Scopace, Transderm-Scop).
-
quinine (Qualaquin);
-
quinidine (Cardioquin, Quinaglute);
-
a diuretic (water pill) such as triamterene (Dyrenium),
hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, Dyazide, HydroDiuril, Hyzaar, Lopressor, Vasoretic, Zestoretic),
and others; or
-
phenothiazines such as prochlorperazine (Compazine),
thioridazine (Mellaril), and others.
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with
amantadine. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use.
This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start
using a new medication without telling your doctor.
What happens if I have an overdose of amantadine?