Amantadine (Amorel) for Parkinson's and influenza A

The drug Amantadine or Amorel is produced in the form of tablets, capsules or oral solution and is prescribed alone or together with other drugs to treat some diseases. Knowing how this drug works and following medical recommendations will help patients to get the most out of it and avoid possible side effects.

In this article from GCORP LLC health magazine, we will examine the most important points about amantadine so that you can get complete information about it... If you are looking for detailed and practical information, do not miss the next article.

Amantadine drug certificate information

What is the drug amantadine and what is its use?

Amantadine drug properties are usually used for the following conditions:

• Prevention of type A influenza or its treatment
• Treatment of Parkinson's disease (nervous system disorder that causes problems with movement, balance and muscle control) or similar conditions
• Treatment of movement problems caused by drug use, which are called extrapyramidal reactions

The medicine Amorel may not be suitable for some types of influenza... because its effectiveness depends on the type of virus that caused the infection.... In some areas, the influenza A virus may have become resistant to this medicine, which reduces its effectiveness.

Method and time of taking amantadine

• Eat Amorel at certain times every day.
• Use this medicine exactly according to the doctor's instructions... If Parkinson's disease is the reason for prescribing Amorel, the doctor may start the medicine with a low dose and gradually increase its amount.
• Do not change the dose of the medicine arbitrarily or do not use it for a long time without consulting the doctor.
• Swallow the long-acting capsules whole and avoid breaking, chewing or crushing them.... If you have trouble swallowing the medicine, you can open the capsule and pour its contents on a tablespoon of soft food (such as applesauce).... In this case, you should immediately swallow the medicine without chewing.
• Do not stop taking Amorel without consulting your doctor....Suddenly stopping this medicine can cause fever, confusion, change in mental status or severe muscle cramps....The doctor usually reduces the dose of the medicine gradually.

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Amantadine drug side effects

Common side effects of Amorel include the following. If these side effects bother you, tell your doctor:

• Nausea
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Weaving
• Difficulty sleeping
dry mouth Swelling of hands or feet
• Constipation

There may be other side effects... If you notice any unusual problems, contact your doctor.

Serious side effects

In rare cases, amantadine may cause serious side effects....See your doctor right away if you experience the following problems:

1... severe allergic reaction

If Amorel causes a serious allergic reaction, you will experience the following symptoms:

• Difficulty breathing or wheezing
• Heartbeat
• Fever
• Swelling of lymph nodes
Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
• Difficulty in swallowing or a feeling of tightness in the throat
• itching, rash or hives
• Nausea or vomiting
• Dizziness, lightheadedness or fainting
• stomach cramps
• joint pain

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2... Thinking about suicide or doing it

Amoral may lead to suicidal thoughts in some people, even in people without a history of mental health problems.. If you notice any of the following symptoms, call your doctor right away:

• Thinking about suicide or death
• Suicide attempt
• Feelings of anxiety, depression or unusual changes in mood and behavior

3.... Drowsiness

Some people taking amantadine may fall asleep while doing everyday activities such as eating or talking without a cardiac alert. If this happens to you, call your doctor and avoid driving or doing anything that requires alertness.

4... illusion

Amorel drug may cause hallucinations or exacerbate psychotic behaviors. Inform your doctor if you notice the following symptoms:

• Hearing, seeing, feeling or smelling things that others don't notice
• False beliefs, for example feeling controlled by others
• extreme pessimism

5... orthostatic hypotension

If you use Amorel medicine, you may face the problem of a sudden drop in blood pressure while standing.... To prevent this problem, it is recommended to get up slowly.... Among the symptoms of low blood pressure, the following can be mentioned:

• Dizziness, lightheadedness or fainting when standing
• Blurred vision
• Confused
• Abnormal weakness

6.... Abnormal behaviors

Amantadine may cause some people to have strong and uncontrollable urges to gamble, have sex, shop, or eat. If you experience these symptoms, consult your doctor.

7... Malignant neuroleptic syndrome

Suddenly stopping the Amorel drug leads to a serious complication called neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS), which can be fatal... If you need to stop taking the drug, be sure to consult your doctor.... Also, contact your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms after stopping the medication or reducing the dose:

• High fever
• Stiffness of the muscles, so that it becomes difficult to move
• Changes in breathing or heart rate
• Increased sweating
• Confused

Precautions or Contraindications

Observing the following tips will help you avoid serious side effects:

• If you are allergic to amantadine or any other medicine, tell your doctor.
• Tell your doctor about all medications, supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take... Your doctor may need to adjust your medication dose or monitor for side effects.
• Talk to your doctor about any medical history, especially kidney disease, urinary tract infection, epilepsy, glaucoma, eczema, heart failure, swelling of the hands and feet, low blood pressure, liver disease, sleep disorders, mental health problems (depression, unusual changes in behavior or mood, suicidal thoughts or actions), and alcohol or substance abuse. Blurred vision. Avoid driving or doing activities that require alertness and clear vision until you are sure of the drug's effect on you.
• You may experience dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting when you suddenly get up from your sleeping position. This problem occurs especially at the beginning of the treatment period or after increasing the dose of the drug. To avoid it, it is recommended to get up slowly.
• Consult your doctor before receiving any vaccine.

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Amantadine drug interactions

Amorel can interact with the following drugs:

• Anticholinergic drugs include antihistamines and drugs commonly prescribed for overactive bladder, Parkinson's disease, or stomach problems
• carbonic anhydrase inhibitors such as zonizamide, acetazolamide or methazolamide
• Sodium bicarbonate, found in some over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription medications for heartburn and stomach ulcers
• Thioridazine, a drug that helps treat some mental illnesses
• Triamtrene/Hydrochlorothiazide, a drug used to treat high blood pressure and edema (fluid retention)
• Quinidine, a drug used to treat irregular heartbeat
• Any medication that makes you dizzy or drowsy, such as pain relievers, sleeping pills, or anti-anxiety medications

This article may not mention all drug interactions of Amorel... Therefore, it is necessary to provide your doctor with a list of all medications and supplements you are taking before prescribing.

Drug interactions of Amantadine in the body

Amorel is included in the category of adamantane drugs.... It seems that this drug helps to improve Parkinson's symptoms and treat movement problems caused by taking the drug by increasing the amount of dopamine in certain parts of the body.... Amorel also acts as an antiviral drug and by inhibiting the activity of a specific protein in the type A influenza virus, it prevents its re-release in the body..

Vulnerable people

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding..Also, if you become pregnant while taking amantadine, call your doctor immediately...because this drug may harm the fetus.

The elderly are more at risk of Amorel side effects than others.... If you are over 65 years of age, talk to your doctor about the risks of taking this medicine.

Endword

In this article, we've covered everything you need to know about amantadine.. However, each person has a unique medical condition and may need additional guidance.. See an infectious disease specialist in person.

Frequently Asked Questions

Resources: go.drugbank, webmd, medlineplus