Amantadine Essay

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AMANTADINE

Generic Name: Amantadine
Brand Name: SYMMETREL

INTRODUCTION
Amantadine is antiviral and antiparkinonism drug.

INDICATIONS
FDA Approved for:
• Parkinson’s disease
• Influenza A infection

Off label uses:
• ADHD
• Chronic hepatitis C

DOSAGE

• 200 mg per day

Preparations:
• Tablets: 100 mg
• Oral solution: 50 mg/5 ml (480-ml)

PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTIONS
Mechanism of Action:
• It prevents the release of infectious viral nucleic acid into the host cell by interfering with the function of the transmembrane domain of the viral M2 protein.
• It may have direct and indirect effects on dopamine neurons.
• It is a weak, non-competitive NMDA receptor antagonist

Pharmacokinetics:
It is primarily excreted unchanged in the urine and has half life of 10 to 31 hours.

ADVERSE DRUG REACTIONS
Notable Side Effects
• Nausea
• Dizziness, insomnia
• Anxiety, depression
• Livedo reticularis

Life-Threatening Effects
• Congestive heart failure
• Psychosis
• Rare seizures
• Neuroleptic malignant syndrome

Drug Interactions:
• Agents with anticholinergic properties may potentiate the anticholinergic-like side effects of amantadine.
• Coadministration of thioridazine has been reported to worsen the tremor in elderly patients with Parkinson’s disease
• Coadministration of quinine or quinidine with amantadine was shown to reduce the renal clearance of amantadine by about 30%
LAB TESTS NEEDED
CPK, BUN, serum creatinine, LDH, liver function test.
CONTRAINDICATIONS
• If there is a proven hypersensitivity to amantadine
OVERDOSE
• Acute toxicity may be attributable to the anticholinergic effects of amantadine. Drug overdose has resulted in cardiac, respiratory, renal or central nervous system toxicity
...

... middle of paper ...

...s, delirium, anxiety, cardiac and respiratory arrest and even coma.
TAPERING AND WITHDRAWAL
It should be tapered gradually since sudden discontinuation results in withdrawal symptoms as nasal congestion, abdominal symptoms, diarrhea, muscle aches and anxiety.

SPECIAL POPULATIONS
• Cardiac impairment: It should be used with caution.
• Elderly: It should be used with caution as susceptible to adverse effects.
• Children and adolescents: Safety and efficacy has not been established.
• Pregnancy: Risk category C ( no controlled studies in humans)
• Breast Feeding: there is no study done in nursing mothers.

PRECAUTIONS
 Risk of angle closure glaucoma.
 Risk of urinary retention related to urethroprostatic disorders.

CLINICAL GUIDELINES AND PEARLS
• It is a weak peripheral anticholinergic agent
It has some anti secretory, antispasmodic and mydriatic effects.

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