Amantadine

Prophylaxis and treatment of signs and symptoms of infection caused by influenza A virus

Amantadine is indicated in patients suffering from clinical influenza in which complications might be expected to occur.

Additionally, amantadine is recommended prophylactically in cases particularly at risk, including:

• those with chronic respiratory disease or debilitating conditions;
• the elderly;
• those living in crowded conditions;
• individuals in families where influenza has already been diagnosed, for control of institutional outbreaks or for those in essential services who are unvaccinated or when vaccination is unavailable or contra-indicated.

Amantadine does not completely prevent the host immune response to influenza A infection, so individuals who take this drug still develop immune responses to the natural disease or vaccination and may be protected when later exposed to antigenically related viruses.

Amantadine is also indicated in post-exposure prophylaxis in conjunction with inactivated vaccine during an outbreak until protective antibodies develop, or in patients who are not expected to have a substantial antibody response (immunosuppression).

Amantadine is indicated for Herpes zoster. Amantadine in elderly or debilitated patients in whom the physician suspects that a severe and painful rash could occur. Amantadine can significantly reduce the proportion of patients experiencing pain of long duration.

Amantadine is indicated for Parkinson’s disease.

Amantadine passes into breast milk. Undesirable effects have been reported in breast-fed infants. Nursing mothers should not take amantadine.

Amantadine-related complications during pregnancy have been reported. Amantadine is contra-indicated during pregnancy and in women trying to become pregnant.