Amantadine (Systemic)

Brand Names : Symmetrel, Endantadine, Gen-Amantadine

Proper Use of This Medicine

For patients taking amantadine to prevent or treat flu infections :

• Talk to your doctor about the possibility of getting a flu shot if you have not had one yet.
• This medicine is best taken before exposure, or as soon as possible after exposure , to people who have the flu.
• To help keep yourself from getting the flu, keep taking this medicine for the full time of treatment . Or if you already have the flu, continue taking this medicine for the full time of treatment even if you begin to feel better after a few days. This will help to clear up your infection completely. If you stop taking this medicine too soon, your symptoms may return. This medicine should be taken for at least 2 days after all your flu symptoms have disappeared.
• This medicine works best when there is a constant amount in the blood. To help keep the amount constant, do not miss any doses. Also, it is best to take the doses at evenly spaced times day and night . For example, if you are to take two doses a day, the doses should be spaced about 12 hours apart. If this interferes with your sleep or other daily activities, or if you need help in planning the best times to take your medicine, check with your health care professional.
• If you are using the oral liquid form of amantadine, use a specially marked measuring spoon or other device to measure each dose accurately. The average household teaspoon may not hold the right amount of liquid.

For patients taking amantadine for Parkinson's disease or movement problems caused by certain medicines used to treat nervous, mental, and emotional conditions:

• Take this medicine exactly as directed by your doctor . Do not miss any doses and do not take more medicine than your doctor ordered.
• Improvement in the symptoms of Parkinson's disease usually occurs in about 2 days. However, in some patients this medicine must be taken for up to 2 weeks before full benefit is seen.

Dosing - The dose of amantadine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label . The following information includes only the average doses of amantadine. Your dose may be different if you have kidney disease. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so. The number of capsules, tablets, or teaspoonfuls of suspension that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are taking amantadine .

• For oral dosage forms (capsules, syrup, and tablets):
  • For the treatment or prevention of flu :
    • Older adults - 100 milligrams once a day.
    • Adults and children 12 years of age and older - 200 milligrams once a day, or 100 milligrams two times a day.
    • Children 9 to 12 years of age - 100 milligrams two times a day.
    • Children 1 to 9 years of age - Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by the doctor.
    • Children up to 1 year of age - Use and dose must be determined by your doctor
  • For the treatment of Parkinson's disease or movement problems :
    • Older adults - 100 milligrams once a day to start. The dose may be increased slowly over time, if needed.
    • Adults - 100 milligrams one or two times a day. Your doctor may increase this dose, if needed.
    • Children - Dose has not been determined.

Missed dose - If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. This will help to keep a constant amount of medicine in the blood. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage - To store this medicine:

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Store away from heat and direct light.
• Do not store the capsule form of this medicine in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down.
• Keep the oral liquid form of this medicine from freezing.
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.