Amantadine (HCl)
Amantadine (HCl) Information

About Amantadine (HCl)

Amantadine is antiviral drug. Amantadine is a synthetic tricyclic amine with a structure unrelated to that of any of the antimicrobial agents. It was accidently discovered that the antiviral drug, it effective in the treatment of influenza also has antiparkinsonism action but Amantadine is less efficacious than Levodopa.

Indications

Amantadine (HCl) is primarily indicated in conditions like Herpes zoster, Influenza, Influenza A, Influenza type a prophylaxis, Influenza type a treatment, Parkinsonism, Parkinson's disease.

Contraindication

Amantadine (HCl) is contraindicated in conditions like Epilepsy,G6pd deficiency,Renal impairment,Gastric ulceration.

Side Effects

Amantadine (HCl) produces potentially life-threatening effects which include Coma, Convulsions, CNS dysfunction, Suicidal ideation. which are responsible for the discontinuation of Amantadine (HCl) therapy.The signs and symptoms that are produced after the acute overdosage of Amantadine (HCl) include Convulsions, Urinary retention, Dilated pupils, Ventricular arrhythmias, Toxic psychosis, Visual hallucination, Agressive behavior.The symptomatic adverse reactions produced by Amantadine (HCl) are more or less tolerable and if they become severe, they can be treated symptomatically, these include Dizziness, Headache, Constipation, Insomnia, Light-headedness, Nervousness, Dry mouth, Urinary RetentionX, Urinary retention.

Warnings

Amantadine is primarily excreted unchanged in the urine, patients with renal impairment should receive lower doses. Renal function should be monitored closely and the dose adjusted accordingly. The elderly require lower dosages, because delayed clearance of amantadine in the elderly can increase toxic effects. Peripheral edema and congestive heart failure can be precipitated by amantadine; patients at risk should be treated with caution. Amantadine can increase seizure activity in patients with a seizure disorder. Patients with a history of seizures should be monitored closely when amantadine is initiated. Patients with eczema should receive amantadine with caution. Recurrent eczema or rash can be aggravated during treatment. The psychotic effects may be dose-related, but patients with pre-existing psychoses should be treated with caution. Abrupt withdrawal of amantadine should be avoided in patients with Parkinsons disease since this may precipitate symptoms of increased rigidity, confusion, urinary retention, or bulbar palsy. Amantadine is classified as a pregnancy category C drug. Use during pregnancy should be avoided unless the potential benefits outweigh the possible risks to the fetus.

High Risk Groups

Drug should not be given to Pregnant Mothers, and Neonates.If prescribing authority justifies the benefits of the drug against the possible damages he/she should reevaluate them and consult the reference material and previous studies.