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Amantadine

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Amantadine (a-MAN-ta-deen) is an antiviral. It is used to prevent or treat certain influenza (flu) infections (type A). Amantadine also used to treat Parkinson's disease. By improving muscle control and reducing stiffness, this medicine allows more normal movements of the body as the disease symptoms are reduced.

It has also been demonstrated that this medication is sometimes effective in relieving fatigue in multiple sclerosis.

How and why Amantadine works to combat fatigue is unknown. As with many drugs, the effectiveness of Amantadine in dealing with MS fatigue was a chance discovery that came about when a number of people with MS were being treated for flu using its anti-viral properties. The anti-viral properties may confer other benefits because viral infections have been shown to be significantly correlated with relapses.

The usual dosage for the management of fatigue in MS is 100 to 200 mg daily, taken in the earlier part of the day in order to avoid sleep disturbance.

Amantadine is generally well tolerated by people with MS but it can cause insomnia, nausea and dizziness. Other common side-effects include loss of concentration, dizziness, headaches, irritability; loss of appetite, nervousness, blotchy rashes especially in the sunlight, constipation, dryness of the mouth and vomiting.

For further information about this drug please consult your local GP or Neurologist.
More on this drug can be found at http://www.mult-sclerosis.org/Amantadine.html.

© Multiple Sclerosis Resource Centre (MSRC)

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