Amantadine: Uses, indications and precautions when using

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Influenza caused by viruses is a fairly common disease in the community, depending on the type of virus that causes the illness, the severity of the flu varies. There are many medicines to treat the flu, including Amantadine. So what is Amantadine and how is it used?

1. What is Amantadine?

What is Amantadine? This is a group of medicines used to prevent or treat certain types of flu (such as influenza A). If a patient has the flu, this flu medicine will reduce the severity of their symptoms and help them recover more quickly.
Giving Amantadine to someone who has been or will be exposed to the flu can also help prevent getting sick. Amantadine is an antiviral drug that prevents the growth of the flu virus, but it is not a vaccine against the flu. To increase resistance to the flu virus, it's still important to get a flu shot once a year at the beginning of each flu season.
See more: Why do you need an annual flu shot?
In addition, amantadine is also used to treat Parkinson's disease, drug-induced side effects (such as drug-induced extrapyramidal symptoms), or to treat certain other conditions.
In this case, Amantadine helps improve the patient's range of motion and exercise capacity, as Amantadine helps restore the balance of natural chemicals (neurotransmitters) in the brain. human set.

2. How to use Amantadine

Amantadine is to be taken orally, with or without food, 1-2 times a day as directed by your doctor. If a patient takes flu medicine twice a day and has trouble sleeping after taking it, it should be taken a few hours before bedtime.
For liquid Amantadine, it is necessary to carefully measure the dose with a special tool or spoon, do not use a household spoon because the dose received may not be accurate.
The dose of the drug depends on the health condition and the response to therapy of each patient. In children, the dose of the drug is calculated according to body weight and absolutely do not arbitrarily use more than the doctor's instructions.
The effect of the flu medicine Amantadine is highest when blood levels of the drug are maintained at a stable level. Therefore, patients need to take the drug on a regular basis both day and night for the drug to be effective.
If amantadine is being used to treat viral flu, start taking it as soon as possible and use the full prescribed amount, even if bothersome symptoms have disappeared after a few days of taking the medicine. Stopping the medication too soon can cause the infection to return.
In the treatment of Parkinson's disease, the effects of the flu medicine Amantadine may not be complete during the first few weeks. However, this does not mean that the patient suddenly stops taking the drug because the symptoms of the disease or side effects may worsen.
Patients should be gradually reduced dose before discontinuing the drug. The effect of the drug may decrease or disappear after taking it for several months. Tell your doctor if this medicine stops working.

3. Amantadine side effects

Possible side effects of Amantadine include:
Blurred vision; Nausea or upset stomach; Sleepy; Dizziness or headache; Dry mouth; Constipation ; Stress or trouble sleeping. Some side effects are less common but serious and require medical help such as: red spots on the skin, swelling of the ankles and feet, difficulty urinating, changes in vision.
In addition, amantadine can cause some rare but very serious side effects such as: difficulty breathing, mental/mood changes (such as depression, thoughts or suicide attempts), muscle stiffness, movements motor incontinence, abnormal sweating, tachycardia, unexplained fever, some other abnormalities such as increased desire to gamble, increased sex drive), convulsions.
A serious allergic reaction to the flu medicine Amantadine is very unlikely. Your loved one should call 911 right away if you have any signs of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching, or swelling of your face. , lips, tongue, severe dizziness and trouble breathing.
Some flu patients taking Amantadine may suddenly become drowsy during daily activities (such as falling asleep while talking on the phone or driving). In some cases, sleep may occur suddenly without prior feeling of drowsiness.
Side effects causing drowsiness can occur at any time when using Amantadine, even when the patient has used it for a long time. If you feel more drowsy or drowsy during the day, don't drive or engage in dangerous activities. The risk of sleep disturbances is increased with the use of alcohol or other drugs that can cause drowsiness.

4. Amantadine side effects precautions

Before using this medicine to treat flu, the patient should talk to his or her doctor about any allergies to Amantadine, Rimantadine or any other allergic conditions.
Before using this flu medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have certain types of eye disease (such as untreated angle-closure glaucoma).
Before taking Amantadine for the flu, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about any of the following: swelling of the limbs (peripheral edema), heart problems (such as congestive heart failure), blood disorders pressure (such as dizziness when standing), kidney disease, liver disease, psychiatric conditions (such as depression, psychosis), epileptic conditions, skin abnormalities (dermatitis eczema).
Amantadine may cause dizziness, drowsiness or blurred vision. Do not drive, use machinery, or perform tasks requiring alertness or clear vision until it is safe to do so.
To reduce and prevent dizziness and lightheadedness, change position slowly when transitioning from standing to sitting or lying down.
If taking Amantadine for Parkinson's disease, be careful not to do excessive physical activity as this can increase the risk of falls. Consult your doctor about a plan to gradually increase the patient's physical activity as symptoms improve.
Renal function declines with age, Amantadine is eliminated by the kidneys. Therefore, the elderly are at greater risk of side effects when taking Amantadine.
Flu medicine Amantadine should be used during pregnancy only when clearly needed. There have been rare reports of cardiac malformations in neonates whose mothers received Amantadine during pregnancy. However, pregnant women still need to discuss the risks and benefits with their treating physician.
Amantadine passes into breast milk and may have undesirable effects on a nursing infant, consult your doctor before letting a patient breastfeed.

5. Amantadine drug interactions

Drug interactions can change the way it works or increase your risk of serious side effects. Keep a list of all the products you are using (including prescription, over-the-counter, and herbal products) and share them with your doctor and pharmacist.
Do not start, stop or change the dose of any medicine, including flu medicine, without consulting your doctor.
Amantadine reduces the effectiveness of some vaccines, such as the flu vaccine inhaled through the nose. However, we can still get the flu shot as recommended by the doctor.
Call 911 if overdose occurs and symptoms include fast or irregular heartbeat, severe drowsiness, trouble breathing, change in the amount of urine, mental/mood changes (such as anxiety, aggression). , confusion, hallucinations)
Parkinson's patients using Amantadine may have an increased risk of developing skin cancer. If a patient with Parkinson's disease is taking this medicine to treat it, tell the doctor immediately if you notice a change in the shape or size of the mole or unusual changes in the skin.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose, do not take a double dose to make up for it.
Store Amantadine at room temperature (about 25 degrees Celsius), avoid direct sunlight and high humidity. Allowed to be stored at a temperature of 15-30 degrees Celsius and kept out of reach of children and pets.
Amantadine is a group of medicines used to prevent or treat certain types of flu. It is also indicated for the treatment of Parkinson's disease. However, improper use can leave some serious side effects. Therefore, when the disease and signs do not improve, patients should go to medical facilities for examination and treatment.
In fact, Amantadine does not work against the flu, so to prevent flu the most important thing to do is to get the flu vaccine every year.
Currently, Vinmec International General Hospital has a full range of flu vaccines. All vaccines at Vinmec are officially imported, have clear origins and are refrigerated in a standard environment. Therefore, customers who need a flu vaccine, can go to Vinmec International General Hospital for service.

Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE. Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.

Reference source: webmd.com