Has your doctor prescribed Amantadine to you or someone in your family? So, it's important to know what this medicine is used for, how to take it correctly, and what precautions you should take when taking it. Let's talk about all of this simply and clearly.
What kind of medicine is this?
Simply put, Amantadine is a drug that belongs to the antiviral class. It is mainly used to prevent and treat a specific type of flu called Influenza A. But remember, it does not cure the common cold, other types of flu, or other viral infections.
In addition, doctors also recommend this medicine as a treatment for Parkinson's disease and other conditions related to body movements.
Things you need to tell your doctor before taking medication
Before you start using this medicine, be sure to tell your doctor if you have any of the following conditions, as you should be more careful when using Amantadine with these conditions.
| Reportable condition or habit | Description |
|---|---|
| Mental health problems | Depression or other mental health conditions. |
| Skin diseases | Skin conditions such as eczema. |
| Eye pressure | Glaucoma condition. |
| Heart disease | Conditions such as heart failure. |
| Drinking alcohol | If you are an alcoholic. |
| Kidney disease | Any type of kidney disease. |
| Low blood pressure | If blood pressure is lower than normal. |
| Sleep problems | Irregular sleep (narcolepsy) or sleep apnea. |
| Seizure/fit | A medical condition that causes seizures. |
| Thoughts of harming yourself | If you or someone in your family has had such thoughts or attempted them before. |
| Allergies | If you are allergic to amantadine or any other medicines, foods, or dyes. |
| Pregnancy and breastfeeding | If you are pregnant, expecting a baby, or a nursing mother. |
How should I use the medicine?
Since this medicine comes as an oral solution, consider these points when using it.
- Correct dosage: Take the exact dose prescribed by your doctor, at the same time every day. Use only the measuring cup, oral syringe, or special spoon that comes with the medicine. Do not use regular household teaspoons, as they may not measure accurately.
- With or without food: This medicine can be taken before or after meals. However, if you experience stomach upset, it is best to take it with food.
- Do not stop: Continue taking this medication until your doctor tells you to stop. It is important to complete the prescribed course of treatment, even if your symptoms seem to have improved.
Important: This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Never share it with anyone else.
For children and adults
Children over the age of 1 may be prescribed this medicine in some special cases. However, you should talk to your doctor about it and follow his instructions exactly. People over the age of 65 may feel the effects of this medicine more, so they may be prescribed a lower dose.
What if I take too much medicine?
If you think you have taken more than the prescribed dose 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.
Things to keep in mind when taking medication
Drowsiness and dizziness
You may feel drowsy or dizzy when taking this medicine. Therefore, avoid doing dangerous tasks such as driving or operating machinery until you know exactly how the medicine affects you. Especially if you are elderly, avoid getting up from a sitting position and sitting down quickly. This can reduce the risk of dizziness and falls.
Falling asleep suddenly
This is a bit serious. Sometimes you may suddenly fall asleep without feeling sleepy at all. This can happen while driving or talking. If this happens to you, tell your doctor right away.
Uncontrollable impulses
Some people may experience uncontrollable urges to gamble, have sex, or spend money unnecessarily while taking this medication. If you experience any of these changes, it is important to tell your doctor as soon as possible.
Other points
- Alcohol: Avoid drinking alcohol completely while taking this medication. Alcohol can interfere with the effectiveness of the medication.
- Dry mouth: If you feel like your mouth is dry, you can do things like chew sugar-free gum and drink more water.
- Dry eyes: The medication may cause dry eyes and blurred vision. If you wear contact lenses, you may experience discomfort. You can ask your doctor about using lubricating drops.
- Skin cancer: This medicine has been reported to slightly increase the risk of melanoma, a type of skin cancer. Therefore, check your skin regularly for changes in your skin, especially moles, and for new moles.
Possible side effects
Like any medicine, Amantadine can cause some side effects. Some of them are serious, while others are common.
| Classification of side effects | |
|---|---|
| Side effects that you should report to your doctor immediately | |
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue. |
| Difficulty breathing | Shortness of breath, rapid breathing. |
| Mental changes | Sudden changes in mood, extreme anger, confusion, seeing things that are not there (hallucinations), thoughts of harming yourself. |
| Vision changes | Blurred vision, eye pain. |
| Uncontrollable movements | Uncontrollable shaking of the hands, feet, face, and neck. |
| Symptoms of low blood pressure | Severe dizziness, fainting, unusual tiredness. |
| Other serious symptoms | Swelling of the legs, difficulty urinating, seizures. |
| If it persists or is bothersome, tell your doctor. | |
| Constipation, dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, headache, nausea. | |
This list does not include all possible side effects. If you experience anything different, talk to your doctor for advice.
Take-Home Message
- Amantadine is a medicine given for conditions like influenza A and Parkinson's disease, not for the common cold.
- Before you start taking the medicine, tell your doctor about all your medical conditions and other medications you are taking.
- Take the correct dose at the correct time. Do not measure with teaspoons at home. Do not stop taking the medicine without your doctor's advice.
- Be very careful about sudden sleepiness, mood swings, and uncontrollable impulses. If this happens, tell your doctor immediately.
- Avoid alcohol completely while taking this medicine.
- If you take too much medicine, immediately go to the National Poisons Information Center or the nearest hospital ETU.
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