Amantadine

(a MAN ta deen)

Drug-induced parkinsonism (IR and ER tablet only): Treatment of drug-induced parkinsonism.

Parkinson disease, dyskinesias (adjunctive therapy) or mild motor symptoms (monotherapy):

Extended release:

Capsule: Treatment of dyskinesias in patients with Parkinson disease receiving levodopa-based therapy, with or without concomitant dopaminergic medications; treatment of "off" episodes in patients with Parkinson disease receiving levodopa/carbidopa.

Tablet: Treatment of Parkinson disease.

Immediate release: Treatment of idiopathic Parkinson disease (paralysis agitans), postencephalitic parkinsonism, parkinsonism in association with cerebral arteriosclerosis, and symptomatic parkinsonism, which may follow injury to the nervous system by carbon monoxide intoxication.

Hypersensitivity to amantadine or any component of the formulation; end-stage renal disease (CrCl <15 mL/minute/1.73 m²) (extended release only).

Canadian labeling: Additional contraindications (not in US labeling): Renal impairment (CrCl <15 mL/minute).

Note: Amantadine is available as an IR capsule, tablet, and syrup and an ER capsule and tablet. The IR formulations are interchangeable with one another, but they are not interchangeable with the ER formulations; the ER formulations are not interchangeable with one another.

Discontinuation of therapy: Abrupt discontinuation may lead to worsening of Parkinson disease symptoms, hyperpyrexia, or changes in mental status. Reduce the dose by one-half for 1 to 2 weeks before discontinuing.

Dosage adjustment for concomitant therapy: Significant drug interactions exist, requiring dose/frequency adjustment or avoidance. Consult drug interactions database for more information.

Refer to adult dosing; some patients tolerate the IR formulations better when administered in 2 divided daily doses (to avoid adverse neurologic reactions).

Discontinuation of therapy: Refer to adult dosing.

Dosage adjustment for concomitant therapy: Significant drug interactions exist, requiring dose/frequency adjustment or avoidance. Consult drug interactions database for more information.

Oral:

ER capsule: Administer at bedtime with or without food. Swallow whole; do not crush, chew, or divide capsules. If needed, sprinkle entire contents on a small amount (teaspoonful) of soft food, such as applesauce, and administer immediately without chewing.

ER tablet: Administer in the morning without regard to food. Swallow whole; do not crush, chew, or divide tablets.

Bariatric surgery: Some institutions may have specific protocols that conflict with these recommendations; refer to institutional protocols as appropriate.

Capsule, extended release: Capsule may be opened and contents sprinkled onto soft food of choice. Patient should be instructed to swallow the mixture without biting down or chewing.

Tablet, extended release: Do not cut, crush, or chew. Switch to IR formulation or consider amantadine ER capsule since it can be opened.

Store at 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F); excursions permitted to 15°C to 30°C (59°F to 86°F). Protect immediate-release capsules from moisture and exposure to light.

Excipient information presented when available (limited, particularly for generics); consult specific product labeling. [DSC] = Discontinued product

Capsule, Oral, as hydrochloride:

Generic: 100 mg

Capsule Extended Release 24 Hour, Oral, as hydrochloride [strength expressed as base]:

Gocovri: 68.5 mg, 137 mg

Solution, Oral, as hydrochloride:

Generic: 50 mg/5 mL (10 mL, 473 mL)

Tablet, Oral, as hydrochloride:

Generic: 100 mg

Tablet ER 24 Hour Therapy Pack, Oral, as hydrochloride:

Osmolex ER: 129 & 193 MG (60 ea) [contains fd&c blue #2 (indigotine), fd&c red #40 (allura red ac dye), fd&c yellow #6 (sunset yellow), quinoline yellow (d&c yellow #10)]

Tablet Extended Release 24 Hour, Oral, as hydrochloride [strength expressed as base]:

Osmolex ER: 129 mg [contains fd&c yellow #6 (sunset yellow), quinoline yellow (d&c yellow #10)]

Osmolex ER: 193 mg [contains fd&c blue #2 (indigotine), fd&c red #40 (allura red ac dye), fd&c yellow #6 (sunset yellow), quinoline yellow (d&c yellow #10)]

Osmolex ER: 258 mg [DSC] [contains fd&c blue #1 (brilliant blue), fd&c red #40 (allura red ac dye), fd&c yellow #6 (sunset yellow), quinoline yellow (d&c yellow #10)]

Alcohol (Ethyl): May enhance the CNS depressant effect of Amantadine. Alcohol may also cause dose-dumping for at least one extended-release amantadine product. Avoid combination

Alizapride: May diminish the therapeutic effect of Anti-Parkinson Agents (Dopamine Agonist). Avoid combination

Alkalinizing Agents: May increase the serum concentration of Amantadine. Monitor therapy

Amisulpride (Injection): May diminish the therapeutic effect of Anti-Parkinson Agents (Dopamine Agonist). Avoid combination

Amisulpride (Oral): Anti-Parkinson Agents (Dopamine Agonist) may diminish the therapeutic effect of Amisulpride (Oral). Amisulpride (Oral) may diminish the therapeutic effect of Anti-Parkinson Agents (Dopamine Agonist). Avoid combination

Anticholinergic Agents: Amantadine may enhance the anticholinergic effect of Anticholinergic Agents. Monitor therapy

Antipsychotic Agents (First Generation [Typical]): Anti-Parkinson Agents (Dopamine Agonist) may diminish the therapeutic effect of Antipsychotic Agents (First Generation [Typical]). Antipsychotic Agents (First Generation [Typical]) may diminish the therapeutic effect of Anti-Parkinson Agents (Dopamine Agonist). Management: Avoid concomitant therapy if possible. If antipsychotic use is necessary, consider using atypical antipsychotics such as clozapine, quetiapine, or ziprasidone at lower initial doses, or a non-dopamine antagonist (eg, pimavanserin). Consider therapy modification

Antipsychotic Agents (Second Generation [Atypical]): May diminish the therapeutic effect of Anti-Parkinson Agents (Dopamine Agonist). Management: Consider avoiding atypical antipsychotic use in patients with Parkinson disease. If an atypical antipsychotic is necessary, consider using clozapine, quetiapine, or ziprasidone at lower initial doses, or a non-dopamine antagonist (eg, pimavanserin). Consider therapy modification

Brivudine [INT]: May enhance the adverse/toxic effect of Anti-Parkinson Agents (Dopamine Agonist). Specifically, the risk of chorea may be increased. Monitor therapy

Bromopride: May diminish the therapeutic effect of Anti-Parkinson Agents (Dopamine Agonist). Monitor therapy

BuPROPion: Anti-Parkinson Agents (Dopamine Agonist) may enhance the adverse/toxic effect of BuPROPion. Monitor therapy

Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors: May increase the serum concentration of Amantadine. Monitor therapy

Glycopyrrolate (Systemic): Amantadine may enhance the anticholinergic effect of Glycopyrrolate (Systemic). Monitor therapy

Influenza Virus Vaccine (Live/Attenuated): Antiviral Agents (Influenza A and B) may diminish the therapeutic effect of Influenza Virus Vaccine (Live/Attenuated). Management: Avoid administration of live influenza virus vaccine (LAIV) within 2 weeks before or 48 hours after administration of antiviral agents. Consider avoiding LAIV if peramivir was given within the last 5 days or baloxavir was given within the last 17 days. Consider therapy modification

Kava Kava: May enhance the adverse/toxic effect of Anti-Parkinson Agents (Dopamine Agonist). Kava Kava may diminish the therapeutic effect of Anti-Parkinson Agents (Dopamine Agonist). Monitor therapy

Memantine: NMDA Receptor Antagonists may enhance the adverse/toxic effect of Memantine. Monitor therapy

Methotrimeprazine: May diminish the therapeutic effect of Anti-Parkinson Agents (Dopamine Agonist). Anti-Parkinson Agents (Dopamine Agonist) may diminish the therapeutic effect of Methotrimeprazine. Avoid combination

Metoclopramide: May diminish the therapeutic effect of Anti-Parkinson Agents (Dopamine Agonist). Avoid combination

Propiverine: May enhance the adverse/toxic effect of Amantadine. Monitor therapy

QuiNIDine: Amantadine may enhance the anticholinergic effect of QuiNIDine. QuiNIDine may increase the serum concentration of Amantadine. Monitor therapy

Solriamfetol: May enhance the adverse/toxic effect of Anti-Parkinson Agents (Dopamine Agonist). Monitor therapy

Sulpiride: May diminish the therapeutic effect of Anti-Parkinson Agents (Dopamine Agonist). Avoid combination

Trimethoprim: May enhance the adverse/toxic effect of Amantadine. Specifically, the risk of myoclonus or delirium may be increased. Trimethoprim may increase the serum concentration of Amantadine. Monitor therapy

Urinary Acidifying Agents: May decrease the serum concentration of Amantadine. Monitor therapy

Renal function (baseline and as clinically indicated), mental status (especially at initiation and after dose increases) including psychosis, hallucinations, depression and suicidality, dizziness, blood pressure, and orthostasis (as clinically indicated).

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome: Electrolytes, PT/INR, aPTT, creatine kinase level, urine output, vital signs (including temperature) (Strawn 2007).

May interfere with urine detection of amphetamines/methamphetamines (false-positive).

The following adverse drug reactions and incidences are derived from product labeling unless otherwise specified.

>10%:

Cardiovascular: Orthostatic hypotension (13%; including orthostatic dizziness, syncope, presyncope, and hypotension)Orthostatic Hypotension, peripheral edema (16%)

Gastrointestinal: Constipation (13%), xerostomia (16%; may be more common in females)

Nervous system: Dizziness (16%)Dizziness, falling (13%; may be more common in adults ≥65 years of age)Falling, hallucination (21%; including auditory hallucination and visual hallucination; may be more common in adults ≥65 years of age)Hallucination

1% to 10%:

Cardiovascular: Livedo reticularis (6%; may be more common in females)

Dermatologic: Dyschromia (3%)

Gastrointestinal: Anorexia (1% to 5%), decreased appetite (6%), diarrhea (1% to 5%), nausea (8%), vomiting (3%)

Genitourinary: Benign prostatic hypertrophy (6%), urinary tract infection (10%)

Hematologic & oncologic: Bruise (6%)

Nervous system: Abnormal dreams (4%; may be more common in females), agitation (1% to 5%), anxiety (7%), apathy (2%), ataxia (3%; may be more common in males), confusion (3%), delusion (<3%), depression (6%; including depressed mood), drowsiness (<3%), dystonia (3%), fatigue (<3%), headache (6%), illusion (<3%), insomnia (7%), irritability (1% to 5%), nervousness (1% to 5%), paranoid ideation (<3%), suicidal ideation (≤2%), suicidal tendencies (≤2%)

Neuromuscular & skeletal: Joint swelling (3%), muscle spasm (3%)

Ophthalmic: Blurred vision (4%), cataract (3%; may be more common in females), dry eye syndrome (3%)

Respiratory: Cough (3%), dry nose (1% to 5%)

<1%:

Cardiovascular: Heart failure, hypertension

Dermatologic: Eczema, skin rash

Endocrine & metabolic: Decreased libido

Genitourinary: Urinary retention

Hematologic & oncologic: Leukopenia, neutropenia

Nervous system: Abnormality in thinking, amnesia, asthenia, euphoria, psychosis, seizure, slurred speech

Neuromuscular & skeletal: Hyperkinetic muscle activity

Ophthalmic: Corneal edema, decreased visual acuity, oculogyric crisis, optic nerve palsy, photophobia, visual disturbance (including punctate subepithelial or other corneal opacity)

Respiratory: Dyspnea

Postmarketing:

Cardiovascular: Cardiac arrhythmia (including malignant arrhythmias) (Kocaş 2015), hypotension, tachycardia (Kocaş 2015)

Dermatologic: Diaphoresis, pruritus

Endocrine & metabolic: Increased gamma-glutamyl transferase, increased lactate dehydrogenase

Gastrointestinal: Dysphagia

Hematologic & oncologic: Agranulocytosis, leukocytosis

Hepatic: Increased serum alanine aminotransferase, increased serum alkaline phosphatase, increased serum aspartate aminotransferase, increased serum bilirubin

Hypersensitivity: Anaphylaxis, hypersensitivity reaction

Nervous system: Abnormal gait, aggressive behavior (Stewart 1987), coma (Macchio 1993), EEG pattern changes (Estraneo 2015), hypertonia, impulse control disorder (including excessive eating, excessive shopping, increased libido, pathological gambling) (Walsh 2012), mania (Neagoe 2013), neuroleptic malignant syndrome (associated with dosage reduction or abrupt withdrawal of amantadine) (Ito 2001), paresthesia, sudden onset of sleep, tremor (Strong 1991), withdrawal syndrome (including delirium, exacerbation of Parkinson disease, or stupor) (Marxreiter 2017, Murray 2021)

Neuromuscular & skeletal: Hypokinesia, increased creatine phosphokinase in blood specimen

Ophthalmic: Keratitis (Nogaki 1993), mydriasis

Renal: Increased blood urea nitrogen, increased serum creatinine

Respiratory: Acute respiratory failure (Cattoni 2014), pulmonary edema (Cattoni 2014), tachypnea

Concerns related to adverse effects:

• CNS depression: May cause CNS depression, which may impair physical or mental abilities; patients must be cautioned about performing tasks that require mental alertness (eg, operating machinery or driving). Patients taking amantadine for Parkinson disease have reported falling asleep while engaged in activities of daily living, sometimes without warning. Patients with a concomitant sleep disorder may be at a greater risk. There is insufficient information that dose reduction will eliminate episodes of falling asleep or daytime somnolence.

• Melanoma: Risk for melanoma development is increased in Parkinson disease patients; drug causation or factors contributing to risk have not been established. Patients should be monitored closely and periodic skin examinations should be performed.

• Suicidal ideation/depression: There have been reports of suicidal ideation/attempt and depression in patients with and without a history of psychiatric illness. May exacerbate mental problems in patients with a history of mental illness.

Disease-related concerns:

• Cardiovascular disease: Use with caution in patients with heart failure, peripheral edema, or orthostatic hypotension. Dosage reduction may be required.

• Eczema: Use with caution in patients with a history of recurrent and eczematoid dermatitis.

• Glaucoma: Avoid in untreated angle closure glaucoma.

• Hepatic impairment: Use with caution in patients with hepatic impairment; rarely, reversible elevations in transaminases have been reported.

• Psychotic disorders: Use is not recommended in patients with preexisting psychotic disorders.

• Renal impairment: Use with caution in patients with renal impairment; dosage reduction recommended. Use of the extended-release products is contraindicated in end-stage renal disease (CrCl <15 mL/minute/1.73 m²).

• Seizure disorder: Use with caution in patients with a history of seizure disorder.

Special populations:

• Older adult: Use with caution in the elderly; may be more susceptible to CNS effects (using 2 divided daily doses of immediate-release products may minimize this effect). These patients may require dosage reductions.

Dosage form specific issues:

• Propylene glycol: Some dosage forms may contain propylene glycol; large amounts are potentially toxic and have been associated hyperosmolality, lactic acidosis, seizures and respiratory depression; use caution (AAP 1997; Zar 2007).

Other warnings/precautions:

• Tolerance: Tolerance has also been reported with long-term use (Zubenko 1984).

Adverse events have been observed in animal reproduction studies, and teratogenic events have been observed in humans (case reports) (Seier 2017).

When treatment for Parkinson disease is needed, agents other than amantadine are recommended in pregnant women (Seier 2017).

Antiviral:

Amantadine is no longer recommended as an antiviral (CDC 2020; IDSA [Uyeki 2019]). The mechanism of amantadine’s antiviral activity has not been fully elucidated. It appears to primarily prevent the release of infectious viral nucleic acid into the host cell by interfering with the transmembrane domain of the viral M2 protein. Amantadine is also known to prevent viral assembly during replication. Amantadine inhibits the replication of influenza A virus isolates from each of the subtypes (ie, H1N1, H2N2, and H3N2), but has very little or no activity against influenza B virus isolates.

Parkinson disease:

The exact mechanism of amantadine in the treatment of Parkinson disease and drug-induced extrapyramidal symptoms is not known. Data from early animal studies suggest that amantadine may have direct and indirect effects on dopamine neurons; however, recent studies have demonstrated that amantadine is a weak, noncompetitive NMDA receptor antagonist. Although amantadine has not been shown to possess direct anticholinergic activity, clinically, it exhibits anticholinergic-like side effects (dry mouth, urinary retention, and constipation).

Well absorbed

V_d: Normal: 3 to 8 L/kg; Renal failure: 5.1 ± 0.2 L/kg (Aoki 1988)

Not appreciable; small amounts of an acetyl metabolite identified

Urine (80% to 90% unchanged) by glomerular filtration and tubular secretion

Antidyskinetic: Within 48 hours

Plasma: Extended-release capsule: 12 hours (mean; range: 6 to 20 hours); extended-release tablet: 7.5 hours (median; range: 5.5 to 12 hours); immediate release: 2 to 4 hours

Normal renal function: 16 ± 6 hours (9 to 31 hours); Healthy, older (≥60 years) males: 29 hours (range: 20 to 41 hours) (Aoki 1988); End-stage renal disease: 8 days

Normal renal function: ~67%; Hemodialysis: ~59% (Aoki 1988)

What is this drug used for?

• It is used to treat or prevent the flu.

• It is used to treat Parkinson's disease and side effects caused by some other drugs.

• It may be given for other reasons. Talk with the doctor.

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

• Dry mouth

• Constipation

• Lack of appetite

• Abnormal dreams

• Dry nose

• Diarrhea

• Loss of strength and energy

• Tablet shell in stool

• Nausea

• Headache

• Anxiety

• Trouble sleeping

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

• Confusion

• Severe dizziness

• Passing out

• Sensing things that seem real but are not

• Seizures

• Shortness of breath

• Excessive weight gain

• Swelling of arms or legs

• Difficult urination

• Blurred vision

• Uncontrollable urges

• Change in balance

• Falls

• Depression like thoughts of suicide, anxiety, emotional instability, agitation, irritability, panic attacks, mood changes, behavioral changes, or confusion

• Skin growths

• Mole changes

• Urinary tract infection like blood in the urine, burning or painful urination, passing a lot of urine, fever, lower abdominal pain, or pelvic pain.

• Narcolepsy

• Severe fatigue

• Neuroleptic malignant syndrome like fever, muscle cramps or stiffness, dizziness, severe headache, confusion, change in thinking, fast heartbeat, abnormal heartbeat, or sweating a lot.

• Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Note: This is not a comprehensive list of all side effects. Talk to your doctor if you have questions.

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer: This information should not be used to decide whether or not to take this medicine or any other medicine. Only the healthcare provider has the knowledge and training to decide which medicines are right for a specific patient. This information does not endorse any medicine as safe, effective, or approved for treating any patient or health condition. This is only a limited summary of general information about the medicine’s uses from the patient education leaflet and is not intended to be comprehensive. This limited summary does NOT include all information available about the possible uses, directions, warnings, precautions, interactions, adverse effects, or risks that may apply to this medicine. This information is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment and does not replace information you receive from the healthcare provider. For a more detailed summary of information about the risks and benefits of using this medicine, please speak with your healthcare provider and review the entire patient education leaflet.