Has your doctor prescribed amantadine to help manage Parkinson's disease or sudden body movements? Starting a new medicine can feel a bit overwhelming at first. You might wonder how it works in your body, when you should take it, or what kind of side effects to watch out for.
Taking time to learn about your medicine is one of the best ways to take charge of your health. Let us walk through everything you need to know about amantadine in clear, simple everyday words so you can feel confident every single day.
Key Takeaways
- Amantadine helps control involuntary movements known as dyskinesia in people with Parkinson's disease.
- Never crush, chew, or break extended-release capsules. Swallow them whole with a glass of water.
- This medicine can cause sudden drowsiness or dizziness, so avoid driving until you know how it affects you.
- Tell your doctor about every other medicine, vitamin, or herbal supplement you take before starting.
- Never stop taking your medicine suddenly without talking to your doctor first.
Know your body mass index (BMI) and weight classification
What Kind of Medicine Is This?
Amantadine is a prescription medicine mainly used for people living with Parkinson's disease. In particular, it helps control involuntary body movements called dyskinesia. Put simply, it reduces shaking, stiffness, and hard-to-control muscle movements in your arms and legs.
Doctors often prescribe this medicine alongside other Parkinson's medicines like levodopa and carbidopa. One of the most common brand names for the extended-release capsule version of this medicine is GOCOVRI. Your doctor will choose the exact dose that fits your body and daily needs.
Things to Tell Your Doctor Before You Start
Before you take your first dose, you must tell your doctor if you have any existing health conditions. This information helps your doctor make sure the medicine is safe and effective for you. Review the list below with your doctor.
| Health Condition | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Mental health issues | History of depression or other mood disorders. |
| Heart problems | Conditions like heart failure or irregular heartbeats. |
| Kidney disease | Reduced kidney function that affects how your body clears medicine. |
| Eye conditions | Glaucoma or other increased pressure inside the eye. |
| Low blood pressure | History of dizzy spells when standing up. |
| Seizures | A history of epilepsy or sudden seizure episodes. |
| Sleep disorders | Conditions such as sleep apnea or narcolepsy. |
| Suicidal thoughts | Any past thoughts of harming yourself or others. |
| Alcohol use | Regular consumption of alcoholic beverages. |
| Pregnancy or nursing | If you are pregnant, planning a family, or breastfeeding. |
| Allergies | Past bad reactions to amantadine, food dyes, or other drugs. |
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View Clinical Details →How Should You Use This Medicine?
Following your exact prescription instructions is vital for getting the best health results. Take your medicine with a full glass of water. Try to take your dose at the exact same time every single day to keep a steady level in your body.
You can take your capsules with or without food. However, if your stomach feels upset, taking your dose with a light meal or snack can help. Here are some extra rules you must follow:
- Never crush, chew, or break open extended-release capsules. Swallow them completely whole.
- These capsules are specially designed to release medicine slowly into your body throughout the day.
- If you have trouble swallowing whole capsules, carefully open the capsule and sprinkle all the medicine powder onto a teaspoon of applesauce.
- Swallow the applesauce mixture right away without chewing the tiny granules inside.
- Keep taking this medicine until your doctor tells you to stop.
What to Do If You Take Too Much
If you believe you have taken too much medicine by mistake, seek help right away. Go right away to your nearest emergency department or call emergency services at 911 (US/Canada) or 999 (UK). You can also contact your local poison control center for urgent medical guidance.
Remember: This medicine was prescribed for you alone. Never share your prescription with friends or family members, even if they have similar symptoms.
What to Do If You Miss a Dose
If you forget to take your scheduled dose, simply skip that missed dose completely. Take your next scheduled dose at its normal time. Never take two doses at the same time to make up for a missed one.
Other Things That Can Interact with This Medicine
Amantadine can interact with other drugs, alcohol, and certain medical products. These interactions can change how well your medicine works or increase unwanted side effects. Always share a complete list of your medicines, vitamins, and herbal products with your doctor.
Common items that can interact with amantadine include:
- Alcoholic drinks of any kind.
- Certain flu vaccines.
- Medicines like acetazolamide and atropine.
- Antidepressants such as bupropion.
- Over-the-counter antihistamines for allergies, coughs, and colds.
- Bladder control medicines such as oxybutynin and tolterodine.
- Stomach cramp medicines like dicyclomine and hyoscyamine.
- Quinine and quinidine.
- Sodium bicarbonate supplements.
This list is not complete. Always talk openly with your doctor or pharmacist about everything you take to keep yourself safe.
Things to Watch Out For While Taking This Medicine
While you take amantadine, pay close attention to how your body and mind feel. Certain daily activities require extra caution.
Drowsiness and Dizziness
This medicine can cause significant daytime sleepiness and dizziness. Because of this, avoid driving, operating heavy machinery, or doing dangerous tasks until you know how the medicine affects you.
If you are an older adult, take extra care when standing up from a sitting or lying position. Rise slowly to prevent sudden dizzy spells and lower your risk of falling. Avoid drinking alcohol, as it can worsen these drowsy effects.
Sudden Sleep Attacks
Extremely Important Warning: Sometimes, people taking this medicine can fall asleep suddenly without warning while doing normal daily activities like talking, eating, or driving. If you experience sudden daytime sleep attacks, contact your doctor right away.
Other Daily Considerations
- Dry mouth: If your mouth feels dry, try chewing sugar-free gum or sipping water often throughout the day.
- Dry eyes and blurred vision: Your vision may become slightly blurry, and your eyes may feel dry. If you wear contact lenses, you might notice extra discomfort. Use lubricating eye drops if needed, and tell your doctor if vision changes persist.
- Unusual urges: Some people taking this medicine notice new or intense urges, such as compulsive gambling, excessive spending, or unusual sexual urges. If you notice any sudden behavioral changes, tell your doctor right away.
What Side Effects Might You Experience?
Like all medicines, amantadine can cause side effects. While many people tolerate it well, some side effects require prompt medical attention.
| Side Effect Category | Specific Symptoms to Watch For |
|---|---|
| Serious (Call Doctor Fast) | Allergic reactions like skin rashes, itching, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue. |
| Mental Changes | Severe restlessness, confusion, hallucinations, depressed mood, or suicidal thoughts. |
| Unusual Movements | New or worsening muscle twitches and jerky movements in your hands, face, or neck. |
| Other Severe Signs | Sudden sleep attacks, seizures, eye pain, breathing trouble, swollen legs, or painful urination. |
| Common (Mild/Ongoing) | Constipation, dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, headache, and mild nausea. |
When to Call Emergency Services
Get emergency medical help right away by calling 911 (US/Canada) or 999 (UK) if you experience:
- Severe chest pain or sudden shortness of breath.
- Signs of a severe allergic reaction (swelling of throat, face, or severe hives).
- Sudden loss of consciousness or severe, uncontrollable seizures.
- Overwhelming thoughts of self-harm or suicide.
💡 Take-Home Message
Managing Parkinson's disease takes patience, daily care, and good communication with your medical team. Always take your amantadine exactly as your doctor instructed. Never crush, chew, or break your extended-release capsules.
Be honest with your doctor about every medicine you take, and stay alert to how your body reacts. Watch for dizziness, sudden sleepiness, or mood changes, and report anything unusual right away. With the right care and guidance, you can stay safe and maintain a good quality of life.
Sources & Clinical References:
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) - Amantadine Extended-Release Capsule Prescribing Information.
- NHS (National Health Service UK) - Parkinson's disease treatments and amantadine guidance.
- Mayo Clinic - Amantadine (Oral Route) Description and Proper Use.
- Cleveland Clinic - Managing Parkinson's Disease Medicines and Dyskinesia.
- National Institutes of Health (NIH) - PubMed Central: Clinical efficacy and safety of extended-release amantadine.
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