Has your doctor prescribed Amantadine to you or anyone in your family? This medication is usually given to people with movement disorders like Parkinson's disease. Since it often comes as an extended-release tablet, there are a few things you need to know about it. So today, let's talk about this medication in a simple, friendly way, and about the things you need to be careful about when using it.
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What kind of medicine is Amantadine?
Simply put, Amantadine is a medication used to treat Parkinson's disease and related movement disorders. It works by changing the way certain chemicals in the brain work to help control symptoms. You may find this medication available under the brand name Osmolex ER. Doctors may also prescribe this medication for other conditions. Ask your doctor for more information.
Things you need to tell your doctor before starting medication
Before you start taking this medicine, it is very important to tell your doctor your complete health history. This is because people with certain medical conditions need to be very careful when giving this medicine. Be sure to tell your doctor if you have any of the following conditions.
- If you have depression or another mental illness (e.g. schizophrenia).
- If you have ever thought about harming yourself, if you have ever attempted to do so, or if someone in your family has a history of doing so.
- If you have seizures or convulsions.
- If you have kidney disease.
- If you have heart failure or low blood pressure.
- If you have glaucoma in your eyes.
- If you have snoring or sleep apnea.
- If you have a skin disease like eczema.
- If you are an alcoholic.
- If you are pregnant or hoping to become pregnant.
- If you are a mother breastfeeding a child.
- If you have an allergic reaction to amantadine or any other medicine, food, or dye.
Giving this information to your doctor will help him provide you with the most appropriate and safest treatment.
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It is very important to take this medicine exactly as prescribed by the doctor, at the right time.
- Swallow the tablet whole: This tablet should be swallowed whole with a glass of water. Never break, crush, or chew the tablet.Because this is designed to release medicine into the body. If it is broken, a large dose of medicine can enter the body at once.
- With or without food: This can be taken before or after meals. However, if you experience stomach upset or nausea, it is best to take it with a meal.
- Take it at the same time: As much as possible, get into the habit of taking your medicine at the same time every day.
- Don't stop: Don't suddenly stop taking your medication unless your doctor tells you to.
What if you take too much medicine? (Overdose)
If you think you have taken too much of this medicine, that is, an overdose, do not delay. Immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital . Or, go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
What if I miss a dose of medication?
If you miss a dose, skip it completely. If it is almost time for your next dose, just take the next dose as usual. Never take a double dose.
Things you should be careful about when taking medication
There are a few special things you should pay attention to when taking this medicine.
- Drowsiness and dizziness: This medicine may make you feel drowsy and dizzy. So avoid driving or operating machinery until you know how it affects you. Especially if you are an elderly person, be careful when getting up from a sitting position or sitting down suddenly. This can reduce the risk of dizziness and falling.
- Avoid alcohol: Alcohol can alter the effects of this medication and increase drowsiness. Therefore, it is best to avoid alcohol completely while taking this medication.
- Dry eyes and mouth: Dry mouth is a common side effect of this medication. This can be controlled by chewing sugar-free gum and drinking plenty of water. It can also cause dry eyes. If you wear contact lenses, you may experience some discomfort. Ask your doctor about using lubricating drops if necessary.
- Risk of sudden sleepiness: This is something to be aware of. When taking this medication, you may suddenly fall asleep without warning . This can happen even while driving or talking. If this happens to you, inform your doctor immediately.
- Uncontrollable urges: Some people have reported that they may experience strong, uncontrollable urges, such as gambling, sexual activity, or spending money unnecessarily, while taking this medication. If you notice any of these unusual behaviors, tell your doctor as soon as possible.
- Excretion of the pill cover with stool:Don't be surprised to hear this. The outer coating of this pill you are taking does not dissolve. So it can be passed out almost completely with your stool. This is normal, don't worry about it. The medicine in the pill has been absorbed into your body.
Side effects that may occur due to medication
Like any medicine, Amantadine can cause side effects. Some of these are serious, while others are common.
| Amantadine side effects | |
|---|---|
| Serious side effects that should be reported to your doctor immediately | |
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips or tongue. |
| Mental changes | Restlessness, depression, confusion, hallucinations, thoughts of harming yourself. |
| Eye problems | Vision changes, eye pain. |
| Things that cannot be controlled | Falling asleep while doing normal activities, unusual impulses (gambling, sex), uncontrolled shaking of parts of the body such as the arms, face, and neck, and seizures. |
| Other serious symptoms | Symptoms of low blood pressure (dizziness, fainting), difficulty breathing, swelling of the legs, difficulty urinating. |
| Side effects that are usually not serious, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Constipation | - |
| Dry mouth | - |
| Headache | - |
| Nausea | - |
| Drowsiness, dizziness | - |
How to keep medicine safe?
- Keep away from children: Keep out of reach of children and pets.
- Store at room temperature: Store between 15 and 30 degrees Celsius (59 and 86 Fahrenheit).
- Keep it tightly closed: Keep the medicine bottle/packet tightly closed.
- Discard after expiration: Throw away any medicine left after the expiration date.
💡 Take-Home Message
- Swallow the Amantadine tablet whole with water, without breaking, crushing, or chewing it.
- Tell your doctor about all other medications you are taking and any illnesses you have before starting the medication.
- This medicine may cause drowsiness and sudden sleepiness. Therefore, be very careful when doing tasks that require attention, such as driving.
- If you notice any unusual changes in your behavior, uncontrollable impulses, or mental confusion, tell your doctor immediately.
- Do not stop taking the medication suddenly without medical advice.
- If you overdose, call the National Poisons Information Center immediately or go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU).
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