Amantadine is used to treat Parkinson's disease. Parkinson's disease is a disorder that affects movement of a person, causing symptoms such as tremors, muscle stiffness, slowed movement and impaired balance or walking.
Amantadine cannot cure Parkinson's disease but it can improve the quality of life for people who have Parkinson's disease.
Amantadine may also be used to treat other medical conditions, as decided by your doctor.
Take Amantadine exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.
If nausea or gastric upset occurs, take Amantadine with food. Try to take Amantadine at the same time each day.
Amantadine must be taken regularly for it to be effective. Continue taking Amantadine even when you feel better. Do not stop taking it unless instructed otherwise, as stopping it suddenly could worsen your condition.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your normal schedule.
DO NOT double a dose under any circumstances.
If you often forget to take your medicine, let your doctor and pharmacist know.
Alert your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- severe kidney disease
- history of seizures or fits
- stomach ulcer
- glaucoma (increased pressure in the eye)
as Amantadine may not be suitable for you.
Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- liver disease
- heart disease e.g. heart failure
- mental illness
- orthostatic hypotension (fall in blood pressure when standing up from a sitting or lying down position)
- recurrent eczema rash
Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Amantadine may cause dizziness and tiredness. If affected, do not drive or take part in any activity in which you need to be alert.
Amantadine may cause your blood pressure to fall suddenly when you get up from a sitting or lying down position and you may feel giddy. To minimise this problem, stand up slowly.
Other side effects include any of the following: nausea, vomiting, constipation, loss of appetite, stomach pain, dry mouth, anxiety, headache, blurred vision, leg swelling, purplish net-like discoloration of the legs and sleeping difficulty or disturbances. These side effects are common especially when you have just started taking Amantadine.
Let your doctor know if you experience:
- confusion and hallucinations (seeing, hearing or feeling things that are not existent)
- unusual changes in mood or behaviour (being too depressed, agitated, or having compulsive and impulsive behaviour)
- uncontrollable movements such as twitching or jerking
- muscle stiffness accompanied by fever
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:
- medicines for mood disorder e.g. thioridazine, haloperidol
- medicines to treat malaria e.g. quinine, quinidine
- other medicines to treat Parkinson's disease e.g. levodopa, trihexiphenidyl
- water pill e.g. hydrochlorothiazide, triamterene
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Amantadine.
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicine, supplements and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Avoid alcohol.
Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.