• Basic Info
• Top Questions
• Clinical Info
• Interactions

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.

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 thinking 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.

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?

Do 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.

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; or

• a history of mental illness or suicide attempt.

If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take amantadine.

FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. 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, 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. Store amantadine at room temperature away from moisture and heat.