Brand
name: GENERIC
NAME: Symmetrel (Symadine, Symadine, Amantadine)
BRAND NAME: Symmetrel
DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM:
AMENTREL (Symmetrel, Symmetrel (Symadine, Amantadine), Symadine) is a synthetic (man-made) anti-viral
drug that can inhibit the replication of viruses in cells. To prevent
a viral infection, the drug should be present before exposure to
the virus. Clearly, this is not practical for most viral infections.
It
was initially used to prevent influenza A during flu season, and,
if given within 24 to 48 hours of the onset of flu symptoms, to decrease
the severity of the flu. Later AMENTREL (Symmetrel, Symmetrel (Symadine, Amantadine), Symadine) was found to cause improvement
in the symptoms of Parkinson's disease. AMENTREL (Symmetrel, Symmetrel (Symadine, Amantadine), Symadine)'s mechanism of
action
in Parkinson's disease is not fully understood. Its effects may be
related to its ability to augment (amplify) the effects of dopamine,
a neurotransmitter in the brain, that is reduced in Parkinson's disease.
AMENTREL (Symmetrel, Symmetrel (Symadine, Amantadine), Symadine) is less effective than levodopa in Parkinson's disease
but can offer additional benefit when taken with levodopa. AMENTREL (Symmetrel, Symmetrel (Symadine, Amantadine), Symadine)
was
approved by the FDA in 1966.
GENERIC AVAILABLE: yes
PRESCRIPTION: yes
PREPARATIONS Symmetrel (Symadine, Amantadine):
AMENTREL (Symmetrel, Symmetrel (Symadine, Amantadine), Symadine) is available as 100mg soft gelatin capsules
and as a syrup containing 50mg per each teaspoon.
STORAGE: Store at room temperature between 15 and 30°C (59 and
86°F).
PRESCRIBED FOR:
AMENTREL (Symmetrel, Symmetrel (Symadine, Amantadine), Symadine) is used for the prevention or treatment
of infections with influenza A virus, especially for individuals
at high-risk such as immunosuppressed patients and nursing home residents.
It should not be used as a substitute for vaccination. AMENTREL (Symmetrel, Symmetrel (Symadine, Amantadine), Symadine)
also
is used for control of the symptoms of Parkinson's disease.
DOSING :
AMENTREL (Symmetrel, Symmetrel (Symadine, Amantadine), Symadine) is taken once or twice daily with or without food.
If it causes an upset stomach, it can be taken with food.
For treatment of influenza, AMENTREL (Symmetrel, Symmetrel (Symadine, Amantadine), Symadine) should be started within 24
to 48 hours after the onset of signs or symptoms and should be continued
for 24 to 48 hours after the disappearance of signs or symptoms. To
prevent influenza, AMENTREL (Symmetrel, Symmetrel (Symadine, Amantadine), Symadine) should be started as soon as possible
after exposure to the influenza virus and continued for at least 10
days.
Persons with reduced kidney function and elderly persons may need
lower doses (or less frequent doses).
DRUG INTERACTIONS: AMENTREL (Symmetrel, Symmetrel (Symadine, Amantadine), Symadine)
AMENTREL (Symmetrel, Symmetrel (Symadine, Amantadine), Symadine) adds to the sedating effects alcohol
and other sedating drugs such as the benzodiazepine class of anti-anxiety
drugs (e.g., Valium, Ativan, Klonopin, Xanax, Ambien), the tricyclic
class of antidepressants (e.g., Elavil, Tofranil, Norpramin), dicyclomine
(Bentyl), certain antihistamines (Benadryl, Vistaril, Atarax, Tavist),
opiate agonists (e.g., Dilaudid; Vicodin; Percocet; Codeine) and
certain antihypertensive medications (e.g., Catapres, Inderal). Such
combinations
can cause dizziness, confusion, lightheadedness, fainting, or dizziness
upon standing.
Since AMENTREL (Symmetrel, Symmetrel (Symadine, Amantadine), Symadine) amplifies the actions of dopamine in the brain, drugs
which block the effects of dopamine should be avoided in persons taking
AMENTREL (Symmetrel, Symmetrel (Symadine, Amantadine), Symadine) when AMENTREL (Symmetrel, Symmetrel (Symadine, Amantadine), Symadine) is used for the treatment of Parkinson's
disease. Such drugs include haloperidol (Haldol), metoclopramide (Reglan),
and phenothiazines, e.g., thioridazine (Mellaril) or triflupromazine
(Stelazine).
The use of the diuretics hydrochlorothiazide or triamterene (Dyazide;
Maxzide) with AMENTREL (Symmetrel, Symmetrel (Symadine, Amantadine), Symadine) can reduce the kidney's ability to eliminate
AMENTREL (Symmetrel, Symmetrel (Symadine, Amantadine), Symadine). This can lead to high levels of AMENTREL (Symmetrel, Symmetrel (Symadine, Amantadine), Symadine) in the blood
and AMENTREL (Symmetrel, Symmetrel (Symadine, Amantadine), Symadine)-associated toxicity.
PREGNANCY:
No well-controlled studies have been done in pregnant women
to evaluate AMENTREL (Symmetrel, Symmetrel (Symadine, Amantadine), Symadine)'s safety. Physicians may choose to use AMENTREL (Symmetrel, Symmetrel (Symadine, Amantadine), Symadine)
during pregnancy when the potential benefits outweigh the potential
but unknown risks to the fetus.
NURSING MOTHERS:
AMENTREL (Symmetrel, Symmetrel (Symadine, Amantadine), Symadine) is excreted into breast milk in low concentrations.
Although no information is available on the effects in infants, the
manufacturer recommends that AMENTREL (Symmetrel, Symmetrel (Symadine, Amantadine), Symadine) be used cautiously in nursing
mothers.
SIDE EFFECTS:
The most frequent side effects associated with AMENTREL (Symmetrel, Symmetrel (Symadine, Amantadine), Symadine)
include dizziness, loss of coordination, inability to sleep, and
nervousness, nausea, and vomiting. All of these side effects have been
reported
to occur in about 1 in 20 persons. Effects can appear after a few
hours or several days of therapy. Less common side effects include
headache,
irritability, nightmares, depression, confusion, drowsiness, and
hallucinations, weakness, amnesia, slurred speech, diarrhea, constipation,
and loss
of appetite, and discolorations in the eye.
