Amantadine (Symmetrel)

What is the drug Amantadine for?

As an antiviral medicine, Amantadine is used to treat or prevent influenza A in both adults and children. It is also used to treat Parkinson’s disease and similar symptoms, including tremors or shaking, stiffness, or repetitive uncontrolled muscle movements caused by certain medications.

Directions
Even though you have taken been prescribed and buy Amantadine, you should still get the flu shot in a year to help protect against the flu.

Amantadine may not be effective during every season as flu viruses can vary.

Amantadine dosage information:
If you have received a nasal flu vaccine within the last 14 days, you should not use amantadine. Additionally, do not opt to receive a nasal flu vaccine for 48 hours following Amantadine.

Amantadine is a prescription medication and should be taken according to the directions on the label.

When taking amantadine to treat flu symptoms, be sure to take your dosage 24 to 48 hours after the initial symptoms appear. Take Amantadine for the length of time it has been prescribed, even if your symptoms have subsided.

Amantadine can be taken with or without food. Extended released Amantadine capsules should not be broken, crushed or chewed. Extended released capsules should be swallowed whole.

For Parkinson’s disease, do not stop taking amantadine if your condition worsens. Stopping your medications may increase your chances of experiencing withdrawal symptoms. Talk to your doctor about how to safely stop using Amantadine.

Ingredients
The active chemical in Symmetrel is Amantadine.

Cautions
It is not recommended that you take amantadine if you have experienced:

• Fluid retention
• Congestive heart failure
• Seizures
• Liver or kidney disease
• Alcoholism or drug addiction
• Glaucoma
• Eczema
• Low blood pressure, fainting spells
• Daytime drowsiness
• Mental illness, including suicidal thoughts and instances of psychosis

Do not administer amantadine to children younger than 1 year old. The effects of amantadine in breastmilk are unknown. You should not breastfeed if you are using amantadine.