Has your doctor prescribed Amantadine to you or someone in your family? So, today we will simply talk about what this medicine is for, how to take it, and what precautions you should take while taking it. Since this is a somewhat special medicine, it will be very important for you to know these things exactly.
What is Amantadine?
Simply put, Amantadine is a drug that works in two main ways.
1. As an antiviral: This is used to prevent and treat a specific flu virus called Influenza A. But keep in mind, this medicine will not be helpful for the common cold, other types of flu, or other viral infections.
2. For movement disorders: This drug is commonly used to treat Parkinson's disease and other conditions related to body movement.
Doctors may also prescribe this for other conditions. If you have any questions about this, please ask your doctor.
Things you need to tell your doctor before starting this medication
Before you start taking Amantadine, it is important to inform your doctor if you have any of the following medical conditions. Your dosage or treatment plan may change based on this information.
| Disease or condition | Reason to be concerned |
|---|---|
| Depression or other mental illnesses | This medication can affect mental states. |
| Suicidal thoughts or attempts | It is very important if you or someone in your family has this kind of history. |
| Seizures | There may be an increased risk of status epilepticus. |
| Kidney disease | Because the kidneys help remove medication from the body, the dosage may need to be adjusted. |
| Heart disease (such as heart failure) | Heart function may be affected. |
| Glaucoma condition | Eye pressure may increase. |
| Low blood pressure | Symptoms such as dizziness may increase. |
| Sleep disorders such as Sleep Apnea or Narcolepsy | There may be increased daytime sleepiness. |
| If you drink alcohol | This medicine may interact with alcohol. |
| If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant | You should discuss the possible effects on the fetus with your doctor. |
| If you are a breastfeeding mother | It is necessary to discuss whether the medicine can be given to the baby through breast milk. |
| If you have allergies to other medicines, foods or substances | It is important to know if you are allergic to amantadine or any of its ingredients. |
How should I use the medicine?
Take this medicine with a glass of water. Try to take it at the same time every day. You can take it before or after a meal. However, if you have an upset stomach, it is better to take it with food.
The most important thing is to take this medicine for the full time your doctor prescribes. Even if you feel better, take it as directed until your doctor tells you to stop.
For children and the elderly...
If you are giving this medicine to children, you should follow the doctor's instructions carefully. Also, if you are over 65 years of age, your body may react a little more strongly to this medicine. Therefore, your doctor may decide to prescribe a lower dose for you.
What if I take too much medicine?
If you think you have taken too much of this medicine, immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital, or go to the Emergency Department (ETU) of the nearest hospital. Do not delay.
Remember, this medicine is prescribed for you only. Never share it with anyone else.
What to do if you miss a dose of medication?
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the scheduled time. Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose.
Other things that may interact with this medicine (Interactions)
Amantadine is a drug that can interact with other medications and substances. Taking it with alcohol, in particular, can increase side effects. Therefore, avoid alcohol completely while taking this medication .
In addition, if you are using the following medications, tell your doctor about them as well.
- Some medicines for allergies, coughs, and colds (Antihistamines)
- Some medicines for stomach upset (e.g. Dicyclomine)
- Some medications for bladder problems (e.g. Oxybutynin)
- Some medications used to treat motion sickness (e.g. Scopolamine)
- Some medications for mental illness (e.g. Thioridazine, Bupropion)
- Other medications for Parkinson's disease (e.g. Benztropine)
- Some flu vaccines
- Other drugs like Quinidine, Quinine, Atropine
This list is not complete, so it's best to tell your doctor about all the medications you take (including vitamins and herbal products) .
What are the things to be careful about when taking medication?
- Drowsiness and dizziness: You may feel drowsy or dizzy. So avoid doing things that require alertness, such as driving or operating machinery, until you know how this medicine affects you. If you are an elderly person, you may feel dizzy or fall when you stand or sit up suddenly. So change positions slowly.
- Sudden sleepiness: This is very important. Some people may suddenly fall asleep without warning while taking this medicine. This can happen even while driving or talking. If this happens to you, tell your doctor immediately.
- Dry eyes and blurred vision: Your eyes may feel dry and your vision may be a little blurry. This may be uncomfortable if you wear contact lenses. Lubricating drops may be used. If this problem persists, tell your doctor.
- Dry mouth: If your mouth is dry, chewing sugar-free gum and drinking plenty of water can help.
- Uncontrollable urges: Some people have reported having uncontrollable urges to gamble, have sex, or spend money unnecessarily while taking this medication. If you experience any of these unusual feelings, tell your doctor right away.
- Skin cancer risk: This medicine may slightly increase the risk of skin cancer (melanoma). So check your skin regularly for changes in existing spots or new spots. Tell your doctor if you notice any changes.
Side effects that may occur due to medication
Like any medicine, amantadine can cause side effects. Some of them are serious, while others are mild.
| Type of side effect | Symptoms |
|---|---|
| Serious side effects that should be reported to your doctor immediately | |
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue |
| Mental changes | Anxiety, depression, confusion, hallucinations, suicidal thoughts |
| Nervous system problems | Seizures, falling asleep while doing normal tasks, uncontrolled shaking of hands, feet, or face |
| Other serious symptoms | Difficulty breathing, vision changes, eye pain, swelling of the legs or feet, difficulty urinating, skin discoloration |
| Common side effects that should be reported to the doctor if they persist or are bothersome | |
| General inconveniences | Constipation, headache, nausea, dry mouth, drowsiness, dizziness |
Take-Home Message
- Amantadine is a specific medication used for conditions such as influenza A and Parkinson's disease. It is not useful for the common cold.
- Before starting this medication, tell your doctor about all your medical conditions and other medications you are taking.
- Do not stop taking the medication suddenly without your doctor's advice.
- Be very careful about drowsiness, sudden sleepiness, etc. while taking the medicine. Avoid activities that require attention, such as driving.
- Avoid alcohol completely.
- If you notice unusual mood changes, uncontrollable urges, or skin changes, inform your doctor immediately.
- If you overdose, go to the National Poisons Information Center or the nearest ETU without delay.
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න