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Amantadine

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Why is this medication prescribed?

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurological system ailment that affects movement, muscular control, and balance. Amantadine is used to treat the symptoms of PD and other conditions that are similar. As a side effect of several drugs used to treat Parkinson’s disease, it is also used to manage movement issues. Levodopa and carbidopa combined capsules (Rytary, Sinemet) are used in conjunction with amantadine extended-release capsules (Gocovri) to treat “off” episodes (periods of difficulties moving, walking, and speaking that may occur when other drugs wear off). It is also used to treat respiratory infections brought on by the influenza A virus and to prevent the signs of infection with the virus. Amantadine belongs to the group of drugs known as adamantanes. It’s thought to improve mobility issues by boosting dopamine levels in specific areas of the body. It combats the influenza A virus by preventing the virus’s growth inside the body.

How should this medicine be used?

Amantadine is available as a liquid to be taken orally, a tablet, an extended-release tablet (Gocovri), and a capsule. The pills, liquids, and capsules are typically taken once or twice day. Typically, one extended-release capsule is given at bedtime each day. The extended-release pills are typically taken in the morning, once daily. Amantadine should be taken every day at about the same time(s). Ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any instructions on your prescription label that you are unsure about following. As indicated, take amantadine as prescribed. Never take it in larger or less amounts or more frequently than directed by your doctor.

Do not break, chew, or crush the extended-release capsules or tablets; instead, swallow them whole. Open the extended-release capsule and pour the full contents onto a teaspoon of soft food, such as applesauce, if you have trouble swallowing the medication. Immediately consume the concoction and swallow it without chewing.

Your doctor may start you on a low dose of amantadine and then gradually raise it if you are taking it for Parkinson’s disease.

Without first consulting your doctor, do not discontinue taking amantadine. Amantadine withdrawal symptoms include fever, disorientation, changes in mental status, and extreme muscle stiffness. Your dose will likely be gradually reduced by your doctor.

For a copy of the manufacturer’s information for the patient, ask your pharmacist or doctor.

Other uses for this medicine

Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details if you believe this drug should be used for something else.

What special precautions should I follow?

Before taking amantadine,

  • If you are allergic to any of the ingredients in amantadine capsules, extended-release capsules, tablets, extended-release tablets, or liquid, inform your doctor and pharmacist before to taking the prescription. Request a list of the components from your pharmacist.
  • Inform your doctor and pharmacist about any additional prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, dietary supplements, and herbal products you are now taking or intend to use. Incorporate any of the following: drugs for mental illness, motion sickness, sleep, or urinary issues; acetazolamide; antihistamines; dichlorphenamide; hydrochlorothiazide with triamterene (Maxzide, Dyrenium); further Parkinson’s disease treatments; methazolamide, sedatives, sodium bicarbonate (Alka-Seltzer, in Zegerid), stimulants, thioridazine, quinidine (in Nuedexta), or quinine (Qualaquin). Your physician might need to adjust the dosage of your drugs or keep a close eye on you for side effects. Tell your doctor about all of the medications you are taking, even any not on this list, as many other drugs may also interact with amantadine.
  • In case you have kidney illness, let your doctor know. Your physician might advise against taking amantadine.
  • Inform your doctor if you consume or have ever consumed large amounts of alcohol, use or have ever used street drugs, overuse prescription drugs, or have ever experienced depression, unusual changes in behaviour or mood, mental illness, suicidal thoughts or attempts. Also mention if you have epilepsy or any other type of seizures; a sleep disturbance, UTIs, glaucoma (a condition where elevated eye pressure can cause a gradual loss of vision), eczema (atopic dermatitis, a skin ailment that makes the skin dry and itchy and occasionally develops red, scaly rashes), liver disease, heart failure, or edoema in the hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs.
  • If you are breastfeeding a child or intend to become pregnant, let your doctor know. Call your doctor right away if you conceive while taking amantadine. Amantadine might affect the developing foetus.
  • You should be aware that amantadine may produce impaired vision or make you feel sleepy. Prior to understanding how this drug affects you, refrain from operating machinery, engaging in potentially hazardous tasks, or driving a car.
    You should be aware that if you get out of a lying position too rapidly while taking amantadine, you could have dizziness, lightheadedness, and fainting. This happens more frequently if your dose has been increased or when you first start taking amantadine. Get out of bed gradually, resting your feet on the floor for a few minutes before standing up, to avoid this issue.
  • Avoid getting any shots without first consulting your doctor.
  • You should be aware that some people who use amantadine and other drugs that are similar to it to treat Parkinson’s disease have developed gambling issues or experienced other strong urges or behaviours that were compulsive or uncharacteristic of them, such as increased sexual urges, binge eating, or unrestrained spending. If you have a hard time resisting the impulse to gamble, have strong urges, or find it difficult to manage your conduct, call your doctor. Informing your family about this risk can enable them to seek medical attention even if you are unaware that your gambling or any other strong cravings or strange actions have become a problem.

What special dietary instructions should I follow?

Keep eating normally unless your doctor instructs you otherwise.

What should I do if I forget a dose?

Take the missed dose of any liquid, tablet, or capsule medications as soon as you remember. If the next dose is soon due, skip the missed one and carry on with your regular dosing plan. To make up for a missing dose, do not take a second one.

Skip the missed dosage if you are taking extended-release capsules or tablets and carry on with your regular dosing regimen. To make up for a missing dose, do not take a second one. Call your doctor if you have missed taking the extended-release capsules or tablets for a few days.

What side effects can this medication cause?

Amantadine’s negative effects could occur. If any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away, let your doctor know right once:

  • Mouth ache
  • Constipation
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • A diminished appetite
  • Having trouble falling or staying asleep
  • Strange dreams
  • Headache
  • Confusion
  • Drowsiness
  • Tiredness
  • Muscle twitching out of control, deviation from standard gait patterns, and falls
  • Purple skin pattern like lace

Some adverse effects can be very harmful. Call your doctor right away if any of these symptoms occur to you:

  • Hallucinations (seeing things or hearing sounds and voices that do not exist)
  • Believing incorrect information
  • Lack of confidence in others or the conviction that people are out to get you
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Suicidal (thinking about injuring or killing oneself or preparing or trying to do so)
  • Absence of excitement, interest, or concern
  • Having a feeling of faintness, dizziness, or having blurry vision
  • Hands, foot, ankles, or lower legs swelling
  • Having trouble urinating
  • Breathing difficulty

Other negative effects of amantadine could exist. If you experience any strange issues while taking this medicine, contact your doctor right away.

You or your doctor can submit a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting programme online or by phone if you have a serious side event (1-800-332-1088).

What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication?

Keep this medication tightly closed in the original container and out of the reach of children. Store it away from excessive heat and moisture at room temperature (not in the bathroom).

As many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and are simple for young children to open, it is crucial to keep all medications out of sight and out of reach of children. Always lock safety caps and promptly stash medication up and away from young children where it is out of their sight and reach to prevent poisoning. http://www.upandaway.org

Unused prescriptions must be disposed of carefully to prevent pets, kids, and other people from ingesting them. You should not, however, dispose of this medication in the toilet. Instead, utilising a medicine take-back programme is the easiest approach to get rid of your medication. To find out about take-back programmes in your area, speak with your pharmacist or the garbage/recycling department in your city. If you do not have access to a take-back programme, see the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medicines website at http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for additional information.

In case of emergency/overdose

Call the poison control hotline at 1-800-222-1222 in the event of an overdose. Additionally, information can be found online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. Call 911 right once if the person has collapsed, experienced a seizure, is having difficulty breathing, or cannot be roused.

Overdose signs could include the following:

  • Rapid or irregular pulse
  • Having trouble breathing
  • Less urinations
  • Hand, foot, ankle, or lower leg swelling
  • Inflexible or stiff arms or legs
  • Uncontrollable shaking or motions of a bodily portion
  • A lack of cooperation
  • Confusion
  • Having the impression that you are viewing yourself objectively
  • Fear, agitation, or violent conduct
  • Hearing voices or perceiving nonexistent objects
  • Not enough energy

What other information should I know?

Keep all of your appointments with your physician and the lab. To determine how you are responding to amantadine, your doctor may perform specific lab tests.

If you take the extended-release tablets (Osmolex), you might see anything in your stool that resembles a tablet. The fact that the tablet is empty does not imply that you did not take the entire prescribed dosage of medication.

No one else should take your medication. Any queries you may have regarding medication refills should be directed to your pharmacist.

You should keep a written record of every medication you take, including any over-the-counter (OTC) items, prescription drugs, and dietary supplements like vitamins and minerals. This list should be brought with you whenever you see a doctor or are admitted to the hospital. You should always have this information with you in case of emergencies.

Brand names

  • Gocovri®
  • Osmolex ER®
  • Symadine®
  • Symmetrel®
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