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Symmetrel, |Symmetrel Symmetrel

Symmetrel

Generic Name: amantadine (a MAN ta deen)
Brand Names: Symmetrel

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 purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about amantadine?

Before taking amantadine, tell your doctor if you have epilepsy or other seizure disorder, congestive heart failure, kidney disease, liver disease, glaucoma, or a history of mental illness or suicide attempt.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking amantadine?

Before taking amantadine, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

• epilepsy or other seizure disorder;

• congestive heart failure;

• kidney disease;
• liver disease;

• glaucoma;

• a history of mental illness or suicide attempt; or

• if you have received a nasal flu vaccine within the past 14 days.

If you have any of these conditions you may not be able to use amantadine, or you may need a dose adjustment or special tests during treatment.

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.

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.

What happens if I miss a dose?

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.

What happens if I overdose?

Symptoms of an amantadine overdose include blurred vision, severe headache, anxiety, confusion, hallucinations, aggression, tremor, fast or uneven heart rate, trouble breathing, seizure (convulsion), or coma.

What should I avoid while taking 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.

Amantadine side effects

• feeling short of breath, even with mild exertion;

• swelling, rapid weight gain;

• feeling depressed agitated, or aggressive;

• behavior changes, thoughts of hurting yourself;

• fever, stiff muscles, confusion, sweating, fast or uneven heartbeats;

• feeling light-headed, fainting;

• urinating less than usual or not at all;

• restless muscle movements in your eyes, tongue, jaw, or neck; or

• tremor (uncontrolled shaking).

Less serious side effects are more likely to occur, such as:

• dizziness, drowsiness, headache;

• sleep problems (insomnia);

• nausea, constipation, loss of appetite;

• dry mouth, dry nose; or

• loss of balance or coordination.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect amantadine?

Before taking amantadine, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:

• atropine (Atreza, Sal-Tropine, and others);

• dicyclomine (Bentyl);

• glycopyrrolate (Robinul);

• 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 chlorothiazide (Diuril), hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, HydroDiuril, Hyzaar, Lopressor, Vasoretic, Zestoretic), chlorthalidone (Hygroton, Thalitone), indapamide (Lozol), metolazone (Mykrox, Zaroxolyn), and others; or

• phenothiazines such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine), fluphenazine (Prolixin), mesoridazine (Serentil), perphenazine (Trilafon), prochlorperazine (Compazine), thioridazine (Mellaril), or trifluperazine (Stelazine).

If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to use amantadine, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.

There may be other drugs not listed that can affect 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.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist has information about amantadine written for health professionals that you may read.

What does my medication look like?

Amantadine is available with a prescription generically and under the brand name Symmetrel. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.

• Symmetrel 100 mg--light orange triangle-shaped tablet

• Symmetrel 50 mg per 5 mL (1 teaspoon)--clear, colorless syrup

• Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed
• Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ("Multum") is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum"s drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum"s drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.