What is this medication?

AMANTADINE (a MAN ta deen) is an antiviral drug. It is used to prevent and to treat a specific type of flu called influenza A. It will not work for colds, other types of flu, or other viral infections. This drug is also used to treat Parkinson's disease and other movement disorders.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Symmetrel

What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• depression or other mental illness
• eczema
• glaucoma
• heart failure
• if you drink alcohol
• kidney disease
• low blood pressure
• narcolepsy
• seizures
• sleep apnea
• suicidal thoughts, plans, or attempt; a previous suicide attempt by you or a family member
• an unusual or allergic reaction to amantadine, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding

How should I use this medication?

Take this drug by mouth. Take it as directed on the prescription label at the same time every day. You can take it with or without food. If it upsets your stomach, take it with food. Use a specially marked oral syringe, spoon, or dropper to measure each dose. Ask your pharmacist if you do not have one. Household spoons are not accurate. Take all of this drug unless your health care provider tells you to stop it early. Keep taking it even if you think you are better.

Talk to your health care provider about the use of this drug in children. While it may be prescribed for children as young as 1 year for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

Patients over 65 years old may have a stronger reaction and need a smaller dose.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

What may interact with this medication?

• acetazolamide
• alcohol
• atropine
• antihistamines for allergy, cough and cold
• benztropine
• bupropion
• certain medicines for bladder problems like oxybutynin, tolterodine
• certain medicines for stomach problems like dicyclomine, hyoscyamine
• certain medicines for travel sickness like scopolamine
• ipratropium
• methazolamide
• quinidine
• quinine
• sodium bicarbonate
• some flu vaccines
• thioridazine
• trihexyphenidyl

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medication?

Visit your health care provider for regular checks on your progress. Tell your health care provider if your symptoms do not start to get better or if they get worse.

You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this drug affects you. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Alcohol may interfere with the effect of this drug. Avoid alcoholic drinks.

This drug may cause dry eyes and blurred vision. If you wear contact lenses, you may feel some discomfort. Lubricating drops may help. See your health care provider if the problem does not go away or is severe.

Your mouth may get dry. Chewing sugarless gum or sucking hard candy and drinking plenty of water may help. Contact your health care provider if the problem does not go away or is severe.

When taking this drug, you may fall asleep without notice. You may be doing activities like driving a car, talking, or eating. You may not feel drowsy before it happens. Contact your health care provider right away if this happens to you.

There have been reports of increased sexual urges or other strong urges such as gambling while taking this drug. If you experience any of these while taking this drug, you should report this to your health care provider as soon as possible.

This drug may increase your risk of melanoma or skin cancer. Check your skin for changes to moles or for new growths while taking this drug. Call your health care provider if you notice any of these skin changes.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medication?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

• allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
• breathing problems
• changes in emotions or moods
• changes in vision
• color changes on the skin
• confusion
• depressed mood
• eye pain
• falling asleep during normal activities like driving
• hallucinations
• new or increased gambling urges, sexual urges, uncontrolled spending, binge or compulsive eating, or other urges
• seizures
• signs and symptoms of low blood pressure like dizziness; feeling faint or lightheaded, falls; unusually weak or tired
• swelling in your legs and feet
• suicidal thoughts
• trouble passing urine or change in the amount of urine
• uncontrollable movements of the arms, face, head, mouth, neck, or upper body

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• constipation
• dizziness
• drowsiness
• dry mouth
• headache
• nausea

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Where should I keep my medication?

Keep out of the reach of children and pets.

Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Keep the container tightly closed. Throw away any unused drug after the expiration date.

NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.