If you have Parkinson’s disease (PD), your doctor may suggest treatment with Gocovri. It’s a brand-name drug prescribed to treat the following:

  • Dyskinesia (uncontrolled movements) in adults who are also taking a drug for PD called levodopa. (Dyskinesia is a side effect of levodopa, especially when taken long term.)
  • “Off” episodes in adults who are also taking a drug called levodopa/carbidopa (Sinemet, Rytary, and others). “Off” episodes are when PD symptoms worsen between scheduled doses of levodopa/carbidopa.

If you and your doctor agree that Gocovri is safe and working well for you, you’ll likely take it long term.

Gocovri basics

Gocovri contains the active drug amantadine. (The active drug is the ingredient that makes a medication work). Amantadine is also a generic drug that comes in certain strengths and forms. But Gocovri contains amantadine in a form and strengths that aren’t available as generics.

Gocovri comes as extended-release capsules that you swallow. “Extended-release” means the dose is slowly released into your body over time.

Read on to learn more about Gocovri, including the drug’s side effects, cost, dosage, and more.

Like most drugs, Gocovri may cause mild to serious side effects. The lists below describe some of the more common side effects Gocovri may cause, but don’t include all possible side effects.

Keep in mind that side effects of a drug can depend on:

  • your age
  • other health conditions you have
  • other medications you take

Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more about the potential side effects of Gocovri. They can also suggest ways to help reduce side effects.

Mild side effects

Below is a list of some of the mild side effects that Gocovri can cause. To learn about other mild side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist, or read Gocovri’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects of Gocovri that have been reported include:

Mild side effects of many drugs may go away within a few days to a couple of weeks. But if they become bothersome, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects from Gocovri can occur, but they aren’t common. If you have serious side effects, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects of Gocovri that have been reported include:

* For more information about this side effect, see the “Side effect focus” section below.

SUICIDE PREVENTION

If you think someone is at immediate risk of self-harm or hurting another person:

  • Call 911 or your local emergency number.
  • Stay with the person until help arrives.
  • Remove any guns, knives, medications, or other things that may cause harm.
  • Listen, but don’t judge, argue, threaten, or yell.

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, get help from a crisis or suicide prevention hotline. Try the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255.

Side effect focus

Learn more about some of the side effects Gocovri may cause.

Falling asleep during regular activities or during the day

Taking Gocovri may result in falling asleep during regular activities or during the day. This is because the drug can cause extreme sleepiness and fatigue (low energy).

While this side effect wasn’t common in studies, people taking Gocovri have reported falling asleep during activities including:

  • driving a motor vehicle (which has resulted in accidents)
  • eating a meal
  • having a conversation

Extreme sleepiness caused by Gocovri can occur without warning. In some cases, people reported feeling awake and alert immediately before falling asleep.

You may be at increased risk of this side effect when taking Gocovri if you:

  • have a sleep disorder or unpredictable sleep patterns
  • take other drugs that can make you feel sleepy
  • consume alcohol

What might help

Before prescribing Gocovri, your doctor will assess your risk of extreme sleepiness. If you have other risk factors for daytime sleepiness or falling asleep during activities, your doctor may decide Gocovri isn’t safe for you.

If you start having these side effects while taking Gocovri, tell your doctor. They will help you decide whether you should continue taking Gocovri or stop driving.

Hallucinations, paranoia, or delusions

Taking Gocovri may cause hallucinations, paranoia, or delusions as a side effect.

  • A hallucination is seeing or hearing something that’s not really there.
  • Paranoia is fear or distrust that’s not rational.
  • A delusion is a false belief.

These were among the most common side effects reported in studies of Gocovri. They’re more likely to occur when you first start taking Gocovri, as well as any time your dose is increased.

You may also have an increased risk of these side effects if you have an existing mental health condition, such as schizophrenia. Due to this risk, doctors usually won’t prescribe Gocovri if you have certain mental health conditions.

Hallucinations, which were the most common side effect in Gocovri studies, occurred more often in adults ages 65 years and above. In some cases, people stopped taking Gocovri due to hallucinations.

What might help

If you have hallucinations, paranoia, or delusions while taking Gocovri, call your doctor immediately. They can help treat your symptoms and determine whether it’s safe for you to continue taking Gocovri.

But if you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or seek emergency medical care.

Trouble managing impulses

You may have trouble managing your impulses as a side effect of Gocovri. Examples of unmanageable urges the drug may cause include:

  • binge eating
  • increased sexual urges
  • strong urges to spend money
  • unusual gambling urges

It’s not clear whether trouble managing impulses was reported as a side effect in Gocovri’s studies. But other drugs that work in a similar way to Gocovri have caused this side effect. And this side effect has been reported in people taking Gocovri since the drug was approved for use.

What might help

Contact your doctor right away if you notice trouble managing your impulses while taking Gocovri. In some cases, lowering the dose or stopping the drug ended these urges.

Because it may be hard for you to identify these behaviors as unusual or abnormal, it’s important for someone to know you’re taking Gocovri. This can be a loved one, caregiver, or family member who can help identify unusual behaviors if you have them.

Allergic reaction

Some people may have an allergic reaction to Gocovri. While allergic reactions weren’t reported in studies of Gocovri, they can still occur.

Symptoms of a mild allergic reaction can include:

A more severe allergic reaction is rare but possible. Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction can include swelling under your skin, usually in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet. They can also include swelling of your tongue, mouth, or throat, which can cause trouble breathing.

Call your doctor right away if you have an allergic reaction to Gocovri. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Costs of prescription drugs can vary depending on many factors. These include what your insurance plan covers and which pharmacy you use.

Gocovri isn’t available as a generic. It contains amantadine, which is a generic drug that comes in certain strengths and forms. But Gocovri contains amantadine in a form and strengths that aren’t available as generics.

If you have questions about how to pay for your prescription, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You can also visit the Gocovri manufacturer’s website to see if it has support options.

You can also check out this article to learn more about saving money on prescriptions.

Your doctor will recommend the dosage of Gocovri that’s right for you. Below are commonly prescribed dosages, but always take the dosage your doctor prescribes.

Form and strengths

Gocovri comes as an extended-release capsule that you swallow. “Extended-release” means the drug is slowly released into your body over time.

Gocovri capsules come in two strengths: 68.5 milligrams (mg) and 137 mg.

Recommended dosage

You’ll take Gocovri once each day at bedtime.

Questions about Gocovri’s dosage

Below are some common questions about Gocovri’s dosage.

  • What if I miss a dose of Gocovri? If you miss a dose of Gocovri, take it as soon as you remember. But if it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Then take your next dose at the regular time. Do not take more than one dose of Gocovri at once.
  • Will I need to take Gocovri long term? You’ll likely take Gocovri long term if you and your doctor agree the drug is safe and working for you.
  • How long does Gocovri take to work? Gocovri begins working as soon as you take a dose. But it may take several weeks of treatment before you notice your symptoms easing. How long Gocovri takes to work can vary from person to person.

Gocovri and Osmolex ER are both brand-name prescription drugs used to treat Parkinson’s disease in adults. They both contain the active drug amantadine. (The active drug is the ingredient that makes a medication work.)

But these drugs do have some differences. Check out this article if you’d like to know more about these medications. Talk with your doctor to find out if Gocovri or Osmolex ER is recommended for your condition.

Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about Gocovri.

How does Gocovri work?

Gocovri’s mechanism of action (how it works) in people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) isn’t fully understood. It’s thought to affect a brain chemical called dopamine. This may help to reduce dyskinesia (uncontrolled movements). Dyskinesia is a side effect of levodopa.

Levodopa is a drug commonly prescribed to treat symptoms of PD, such as tremor. Levodopa works by increasing the levels of dopamine in the brain. But levodopa wears off quickly after you take a dose. This can result in “off” episodes in which your PD symptoms become worse between levodopa doses. It’s believed that Gocovri works to reduce these episodes by increasing the activity of dopamine in the brain. And dopamine helps you to have smooth, controlled body movements.

If you have more questions about how Gocovri works, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

What’s to know about Gocovri vs. amantadine?

Gocovri and amantadine are very similar. This is because Gocovri contains amantadine as its active ingredient. (The active ingredient is what makes a drug work.) Amantadine is available as a generic.

Both Gocovri and amantadine may be prescribed to treat dyskinesia (uncontrolled movements) in adults caused by PD.

There are a few differences between these drugs. For example, Gocovri contains extended-release amantadine. “Extended-release” means the drug slowly releases into your body over time. This kind of amantadine isn’t available as a generic.

Amantadine may be prescribed to treat the flu. Gocovri is not prescribed for this purpose.

If you’d like to know more about Gocovri and how it compares with amantadine, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Will Gocovri cure my PD?

No, Gocovri won’t cure PD. There currently is no known cure for PD.

But studies have shown that Gocovri can help reduce symptoms of dyskinesia caused by PD. The drug has also been shown to be effective for reducing the number of “off” episodes between doses of levodopa/carbidopa (Sinemet, Rytary, and others).

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you’d like to know more about treatment options for PD.

Gocovri is a prescription drug used in adults with Parkinson’s disease (PD) to treat the following:

  • Dyskinesia (uncontrolled or unusual movements) in adults who are also taking a drug for PD called levodopa. (Dyskinesia is a side effect of levodopa, especially when taken long term.)
  • “Off” episodes in adults who are also taking a drug called levodopa/carbidopa (Sinemet, Rytary, and others). “Off” episodes are when PD symptoms worsen between scheduled doses of levodopa/carbidopa.

With PD, cells in a part of your brain called the substantia nigra begin to die. The substantia nigra produces a chemical called dopamine. Among other functions, dopamine helps you to have smooth, controlled body movements. When substantia nigra cells die, your dopamine levels start to drop. Once dopamine levels become low enough, symptoms of PD begin to appear.

The first symptoms are usually:

  • problems with movement, such as:
  • problems with balance

Other symptoms of PD can include:

To learn more about Gocovri’s mechanism of action (how it works), see the “How does Gocovri work?” portion of the “What are some frequently asked questions about Gocovri?” section above.

Your doctor will explain how you should take Gocovri. They’ll also explain how much to take and how often. Be sure to follow your doctor’s instructions.

Taking Gocovri

Gocovri comes as an extended-release capsule that you swallow. “Extended-release” means the drug is slowly released into your body over time.

Accessible medication containers and labels

If it’s hard for you to read the label on your prescription, tell your doctor or pharmacist. Certain pharmacies may provide medication labels that:

  • have large print
  • use braille
  • contain a code you can scan with a smartphone to change the text to audio

Your doctor or pharmacist may be able to recommend a pharmacy that offers these options if your current pharmacy doesn’t.

If you’re having trouble opening your medication bottles, let your pharmacist know. They may be able to put Gocovri in an easy-open container. Or they may be able to recommend tools to make it simpler to open the drug’s container.

Taking Gocovri with other drugs

Gocovri is always prescribed along with another drug that contains levodopa. Levodopa is prescribed to treat the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease (PD).

Some examples of drugs prescribed along with Gocovri include:

Your doctor may prescribe more than one medication that contains levodopa. They may also prescribe other drugs to manage the symptoms of PD.

Questions about taking Gocovri

Below are some common questions about taking Gocovri.

  • Can Gocovri be chewed, crushed, or opened? Gocovri capsules are meant to be swallowed whole. You should not chew or crush them. If you have trouble swallowing them, you may open the capsules and sprinkle the contents onto soft food, such as applesauce. This mixture should be eaten immediately.
  • Should I take Gocovri with food? You may take Gocovri doses with or without food.
Questions for your doctor

You may have questions about Gocovri and your treatment plan. It’s important to discuss all your concerns with your doctor.

Here are a few tips that might help guide your discussion:

  • Before your appointment, write down questions such as:
    • How will Gocovri affect my body, mood, or lifestyle?
  • Bring someone with you to your appointment if doing so will help you feel more comfortable.
  • If you don’t understand something related to your condition or treatment, ask your doctor to explain it.

Remember, your doctor and other healthcare professionals are available to help you. And they want you to get the best care possible. So don’t be afraid to ask questions or offer feedback on your treatment.

Some important things to discuss with your doctor when considering Gocovri include your overall health and any medical conditions you may have. You should also talk with them and your pharmacist about all the drugs you take. They’ll want to check for any interactions with Gocovri.

Interactions

Taking a medication with certain vaccines, foods, and other things can affect how the medication works. These effects are called interactions.

Before taking Gocovri, be sure to tell your doctor about all medications you take, including prescription and over-the-counter kinds. Also, describe any vitamins, herbs, or supplements you use. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you about any interactions these items may cause with Gocovri.

Interactions with drugs or supplements

Gocovri can interact with several kinds of drugs. These include:

This list does not contain all kinds of drugs that may interact with Gocovri. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more about these interactions and any others that may occur while taking this drug.

Other interactions

You should avoid getting the live flu vaccine while you’re taking Gocovri. (Live vaccines contain a live version of the virus or bacteria they’re meant to protect you from.) The live flu vaccine is called FluMist. It’s given as a nasal spray.

While you should avoid the nasal spray, it’s OK to receive an inactivated flu shot while taking Gocovri. This is where the virus in the vaccine is not alive. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about which flu shot is right for you.

Warnings

Gocovri may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. Talk with your doctor about your health history before starting Gocovri. Factors to consider include those in the list below.

  • Depression or suicidal thoughts. Depression and suicidal thoughts were rare but serious side effects reported in studies of Gocovri. If you already have depression or suicidal thoughts, taking Gocovri could make your condition worse. Your doctor can help determine whether this drug is safe for you.
  • Unusual urges or impulses. Gocovri can cause uncontrollable, unusual urges or impulses. If you already have unusual urges or impulses or have had them in the past, you may have a higher risk of this side effect. And this drug could worsen any unusual urges or impulses you’re already experiencing. Your doctor can help determine whether it’s safe for you to take Gocovri.
  • Kidney problems. If you have kidney problems, you’ll likely need to take a lower dose of Gocovri. And if you have end stage renal disease, doctors usually will not prescribe Gocovri for you. Your doctor can help determine the severity of your kidney problems and whether it’s safe for you to take Gocovri.
  • Schizophrenia or another psychiatric condition. Taking Gocovri can cause hallucinations, paranoia, or delusions as side effects. If you have schizophrenia or another psychiatric condition, you may be at increased risk of these side effects. And taking Gocovri could worsen your condition. Your doctor can help determine whether it’s safe for you to take this drug.
  • Sleep problems. Gocovri can cause sleep problems as a side effect. These include falling asleep during the day or insomnia (trouble sleeping). If you have sleep problems or irregular sleep patterns, you may be at increased risk of sleep-related side effects from Gocovri. Your doctor can help determine whether it’s a safe treatment option for your condition.
  • Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Gocovri or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe it for you. Ask them what other treatments are better options for you.

Gocovri and alcohol

It’s recommended that you avoid alcohol while taking Gocovri. Drinking alcohol increases your risk of certain side effects Gocovri may cause, including:

If you consume alcohol, talk with your doctor about whether Gocovri is safe for you.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

It’s not known whether it’s safe to take Gocovri while pregnant or breastfeeding.

Talk with your doctor about safe treatment options for Parkinson’s disease (PD) if you’re pregnant, planning a pregnancy, or breastfeeding. They can discuss the risks and benefits of various treatments for your condition, including Gocovri.

Do not take more Gocovri capsules than your doctor prescribes, as this can lead to serious side effects.

Symptoms of overdose

Symptoms caused by an overdose can include:

In extreme cases, overdose can result in a coma or even death.

What to do in case you take too much Gocovri

Call your doctor if you think you’ve taken too much Gocovri. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach the American Association of Poison Control Centers, or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you’re considering Gocovri. Be sure to ask questions that help you feel comfortable with the risks and benefits of taking this drug. Some examples to help you get started are:

  • What should I know about alternative drugs for Gocovri?
  • How will I know if this drug is working for me?
  • If I have side effects from Gocovri, is there a lower dose I can try?

You can also learn more about various treatment options for Parkinson’s disease (PD) from the following articles:

Q:

What should I know about stopping Gocovri treatment?

Anonymous

A:

It’s important that you do not stop taking Gocovri without talking with your doctor first. If you and your doctor agree you should end your treatment, you should stop taking Gocovri gradually.

This is because suddenly stopping your Gocovri treatment can cause withdrawal symptoms. (These are side effects that can happen when you stop taking a drug that your body has become dependent on.)

Examples of withdrawal symptoms include:

Stopping Gocovri suddenly can also cause symptoms of Parkinson’s disease to worsen.

When stopping this drug, your dose should be slowly decreased over time. This is known as a dose taper. Your doctor or pharmacist can suggest a dose taper schedule that’s safe for you.

The Healthline Pharmacist TeamAnswers represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.
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Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.

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