skip to main content

What does it do?

Amantadine is used to treat Parkinson’s disease and sometimes other conditions.

Before you start

  • Tell your doctor if you have heart, blood pressure, kidney, stomach, bowel or mental health problems (such as depression).
  • Tell your doctor if you have trouble peeing, glaucoma, tardive dyskinesia, eczema, or have ever had a seizure.
  • Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.

How should you take it?

Take amantadine regularly as directed with a glass of water.

What if you forget a dose?

If it is nearly time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the usual time. Otherwise, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Do not take two doses at the same time.

Can you take other medicines?

Tell your pharmacist or doctor about all medicines or treatments that you may be taking, including vitamins, herbal products or recreational drugs.

What side effects might you notice?

Side EffectsRecommended action

Reduced number of blood cells that fight infections in your body - symptoms include: fever, chills, sore throat or generally feeling unwell

Seizures

Tell your doctor immediately

Agitation, anxiety, confusion, hallucinations

Unusual urges (e.g. gambling, eating, spending, sex)

Low mood

Unsteadiness, strange or uncontrolled movements

Swollen feet or legs, short of breath

Tell your doctor

Drowsiness, dizziness, trouble sleeping

Constipation, loss of appetite

Dry mouth

Net-like red, blue or purple skin patches

Tell your doctor if troublesome

Lightheaded or dizzy after standing up

Stand up slowly. If it continues, or is severe, tell your doctor

Nausea

Take with food and tell your doctor if symptoms continue

If you notice any other effects, discuss them with your doctor or pharmacist.

Other information:

  • Amantadine can impair your ability to do tasks such as driving or using machines. Alcohol makes this worse. Discuss your risk with your health professional. (search NZTA - Are you safe to drive?)
  • Do not stop taking amantadine suddenly without talking to your doctor first. Your doctor may reduce the dose gradually.

This leaflet contains important, but not all, information about this medicine.

Prepared by the MyMedicines Committee at Christchurch Hospital, Te Whatu Ora - Waitaha, New Zealand. March 2023

For more general information about this sheet and its contents, see: What does a My Medicines sheet cover?

Web links for this sheet in different formats

Click on buttons to copy web addresses for this leaflet:

If your browser does not automatically copy these links use its copy command instead.

About My Medicines

My Medicines Patient Information Leaflets (PILs) contain important, but not all, information about the medicines they describe.

For more information about the sheets, see: What does a My Medicines sheet cover?

My Medicines is developed by a team at Te Whatu Ora – Waitaha. Our team is made up of doctors, pharmacists, and a non-medical person to help us keep to plain language. We also discuss our information with specialist health professionals or groups when needed