Amantadine : Before Using - Symmetrel, Endantadine, Gen-Amantadine

Amantadine - Systemic

Brand Names

Symmetrel, Endantadine, Gen-Amantadine Amantadine *** Before Using *** How to Use *** Fore Safe Use *** Side Effects *** Additional Information

Before Using

In deciding to using a medication, the chance of taking the drug must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you will make. For amantadine, the following must be considered

Allergic reaction

Tell your family doctor if you have any unusual or allergy to amantadine. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy care

Studies have not been done. However, there have been reports of birth defects, including birth defects of the heart, when women took amantadine during the first trimester of pregnancy. Always a malformation involving the lower leg occurred in one infant. In addition, studies in some pets have shown that amantadine is harmful to the fetus and causes birth defects. Before taking this drug, make sure your family doctor knows if you are pregnant or if you may become pregnant.

Breast-feeding problem

Amantadine passes into breast milk. However, the effects of amantadine in newborn babies and infants are not known. It may be necessary for you to take another drug or to stop breast-feeding during treat. Be sure you have discussed the chance and benefits of the drug with your family doctor.

Use for Children

This drug has been tested in child over 1 year of age and has not been shown to cause various side effects or problems in these children than it does in adults. There is no special info comparing the use of amantadine in child under 1 year of age with use in other age groups.

Elderly care

Elderly people are especially sensitive to the effects of amantadine. Confusion, difficult urination, blurred vision, constipation, and dry mouth, nose and throat may be especially likely to occur.

Drug interactions

Although certain medication must not be using together at all, in other cases two various medication may be using together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your family doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking amantadine, it is especially important that your health care professional know if you are taking any of the following:

Amphetamines
Appetite suppressants - diet pills, except fenfluramine - Pondimin,
Caffeine - NoDoz
Chlophedianol - Ulone
Cocaine
Medicine for asthma or other breathing problems
Medicine for colds, sinus problems, or hay fever or other allergies - including nose drops or sprays
Methylphenidate - Ritalin
Nabilone - Cesamet
Pemoline - Cylert The use of amantadine with these medication may increase the risk of unwanted effects such as nervousness, irritability, trouble in sleeping and possibly seizures or irregular heartbeat

Anticholinergics - drug for abdominal or stomach spasms or cramps The use of amantadine with these medication may increase the risk of unwanted effects such as blurred vision, dryness of the mouth, confusion, hallucinations, and nightmares

Quinidine - Quinaglute Dura-tabs, Quinidex Extentabs
Quinine
Trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole - Bactrim, Septra These medication may increase the amount of amantadine in the blood and increase the risk for side effects

Other Information for using

The presence of other medical problems may effect the use of amantadine. Make sure you tell your family doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

Eczema - recurring Amantadine may cause or worsen eczema

Epilepsy or other seizure disorder - history of Amantadine may increase the frequency of convulsions - seizures in diseaseds with a seizure disorder

Heart disease or other circulation problems
Swelling of feet and ankles Amantadine may increase the risk of swelling of the feet and ankles and may worsen heart disease or circulation problems

Kidney disease Amantadine is removed from the body by the kidneys; diseaseds with kidney disease will need to receive a lower dose of amantadine

Mental or emotional illness Higher doses of amantadine may cause confusion, hallucinations and nightmares

Substance abuse - drug or alcohol abuse, history of The risk of side effects from this drug may be increased