What are amantadine capsules or tablets?

AMANTADINE (Symmetrel®) prevents or treats certain influenza (flu) infections. It is not an effective treatment for colds or other viruses. Amantadine can also improve muscle control and reduce muscle stiffness in patients with Parkinson's disease or similar movement disorders. Generic amantadine capsules are available.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
• closed-angle glaucoma
• depression or other mental illness
• eczema
• heart or circulation problems
• kidney disease
• liver disease
• low blood pressure
• seizures (convulsions)
• an unusual or allergic reaction to amantadine, rimantadine, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding

How should I take this medicine?

Take amantadine capsules or tablets by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Swallow whole with a full glass of water. If it upsets your stomach you can take amantadine with food. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Finish the full course prescribed by your prescriber or health care professional even if you think your condition is better. Do not stop taking except on your prescriber's advice.

Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

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 drug(s) may interact with amantadine?

• alcohol
• bupropion
• caffeine
• haloperidol
• hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ; triamterene
• medicines for hay fever and other allergies
• medicines for depression or other mental illness
• metoclopramide
• quinidine
• quinine
• sulfamethoxazole; trimethoprim, SMX-TMP

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

What side effects may I notice from taking amantadine?

Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:
• changes in vision
• depression or thoughts of suicide
• difficulty passing urine
• fainting spells or lightheadedness
• hallucinations (seeing things that are not really there)
• movement difficulties
• purplish spots or network on the skin
• seizures (convulsions)
• swelling of the feet or legs

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
• anxiety, irritability, nervousness
• diarrhea or constipation
• difficulty sleeping, or nightmares
• drowsiness
• dry mouth
• headache
• loss of appetite
• nausea or vomiting
• unusual tiredness

What should I watch for while taking amantadine?

Let your prescriber or health care professional know if your symptoms do not improve in a few days.

You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how amantadine affects you. To reduce the risk of dizzy or fainting spells, do not sit or stand up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. Alcohol can make you more drowsy and dizzy, increase confusion and lightheadedness. Avoid alcoholic drinks.

If you are taking amantadine for a movement disorder, do not suddenly stop taking it. You may get muscle stiffness, paralysis, confusion, or find it difficult to pass urine.

If you are taking amantadine for Parkinson's disease, be careful not to overdo physical activity as your condition improves. Gradually increase activity so that your body has time to adjust.

Your mouth may get dry. Chewing sugarless gum or sucking hard candy, and drinking plenty of water will help. Brush and floss teeth regularly and carefully to avoid problems with the mouth and gums.

Where can I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open.

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

 

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What is/are Symmetrel?

AMANTADINE is an antiviral. 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 medicine 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.

What should I tell my health care providers before I take this medicine?

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

glaucoma depression or other mental illness eczema heart failure or circulation problems kidney disease liver disease seizures an unusual or allergic reaction to amantadine, rimantadine, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives pregnant or trying to get pregnant breast-feeding

How should I use this medicine?

Take this medicine by mouth with a full glass of water. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Take your medicine at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Take all of your medicine as directed even if you think your are better. Do not skip doses or stop your medicine early.

Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the useof this medicine in children. While this drug may be prescribed for children as young as 1 year old 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 medicine?

alcohol bupropion quinidine quinine some diuretics some flu vaccines some medicines for cold or allergies stimulants sulfamethoxazole; trimethoprim thioridazine

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care providers 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 side effects may I notice from this medicine?

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 vision depression, mood changes difficulty passing urine feeling faint or lightheaded fever hallucinations irregular, fast heartbeat mouth sores seizures swelling of the hands or feet unusual stiffness, tremors

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

anxiety, irritable, nervous constipation or diarrhea loss of appetite nausea trouble sleeping unusually tired

This list may not describe all possible side effects.

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

Tell your doctor or health care professional if your symptoms do not improve.

You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this medicine 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 medicine. Avoid alcoholic drinks.

If you are taking this medicine for Parkinson's disease or a movement disorder, be careful. Slowly increase your daily activities as your condition improves. Do not suddenly stop taking your medicine because you may develop a severe reaction.

You may get dry mouth or eyes, or blurry vision while taking this medicine. Try sugarless gum or hard candy, and drink 6 to 8 glasses of water daily. Brush and floss your teeth regularly and carefully to avoid teeth and gum problems. You may want to wet your eyes with lubricating eye drops. Talk to your doctor if these symptoms become a problem.

Where should I keep this medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children.

Store at room temperature between 20 and 25 degrees C (68 and 77 degrees F). Keep container tightly closed. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

What is the shelf life of the pills?

• The expiry date is mentioned on each blister. It is different for different batches. The shelf life is 2 years from the date of manufacture and would differ from batch to batch depending on when they were manufactured.