Amantadine is an anti-viral medication. Amantadine performs a high efficiency in Parkinson’s syndrome treatment.

This medication improves muscle control and reduces stiffness, improving movements of the body. This drug is also used to treat shaking and stiffness that are caused by some medications applied in nervous, emotional, and mental conditions treatment. It can also be used for some other conditions.

Amantadine is available only by the prescription. It comes in the forms of tablet, capsules, and syrup. When taking this medication the following precautions should be taken:

• While treating with Amantadine avoid drinking alcohol as it may cause such side effect as circulation problem, faintness or confusing.
• Amantadine may provoke such side effect as dryness of mouth. In this case consult with your physician.
• While taking this drug some patients may become dizzy or lightheaded or have problems with concentration.
• Amantadine might cause some problems with skin mostly in women and typically occur on the legs and feet after treating with Amantadine for a month or more.
• Researches on effect of this medication in pregnant women have not been conducted. However, birth defects of the baby’s heart occurred, when women used this drug during the pregnancy.

This drug passes into breast milk. But, the effect of amantadine in newborn babies and infants are still unknown.

Among the most serious side effects that can be provoked by the use of Amantadine are: vision problems, swelling in the ankles or feet, extreme fatigue, difficulty while urination, changes in mood or state of extreme depression, muscle tension, and uncontrolled muscular movements.

The way the medication works

Amantadine has its generic version that can be found under the name Symmetrel. Symmetrel has the same action as any other antiviral drugs. This drug works by preventing the virus from growing and spreading. It is considered to stop replication of influenza virus at initial stage. It is considered that the medication increases dopamine levels in the brain in Parkinson’s patients what brings symptoms under control.

Adverse reactions of Symmetrel

While Symmetrel can provoke a number of side effects, not all patients who are treating with this drug experience them. The most common and less dangerous adverse reactions are the following:  headache, hazy vision, sleep disorder, depression, problems with digestive system, and nervousness. Typically these side effects go away when the body becomes adjusted to the medication. But severe side reactions such as rapid heart, convulsions, drop in blood pressure, hallucinations, and peripheral oedema typically means that this medication shouldn’t be taken.

It’s necessary to avoid consuming alcohol when taking Symmetrel because alcohol might worsen symptoms. An overdose of this medication can also provoke severe side reactions.

What you should know before taking Symmetrel

This medication shouldn’t be taken within 14 days after receiving a nasal flu vaccine. This drug also increases sexual drive and desire to gamble, that’s why you should try to control yourself. In rare cases Symmetrel might cause heart defects in babies, so perform caution when taking this medication during pregnancy.

The common dosages of Symmetrel

The typical dosage of this drug depends on the health condition and your weight. The dosage for children is taken in proportion to the body weight. Your doctor will recommend a different dosage of this medication for flu treatment and for prevention of flu. Follow that dosage which is prescribed by your doctor.