Your session is about to expire
What is Symmetrel
AmantadineThe Generic name of this drug
Treatment SummaryAmantadine is a medication used to prevent and treat influenza A. It can also be used to treat Parkinson's disease, involuntary muscle movements, and nerve pain caused by shingles. It works by increasing the production of dopamine in the brain and blocking its uptake, although the exact mechanism of action is not fully understood.
Symmetrelis the brand name
Symmetrel Overview & Background
Brand Name
Generic Name
First FDA Approval
How many FDA approvals?
Symmetrel
Amantadine
1976
103
Approved as Treatment by the FDA
Amantadine, also called Symmetrel, is approved by the FDA for 11 uses like Dyskinesia and Parkinson's Disease (PD) .Dyskinesia
Used in combination with other therapies
Parkinson's Disease (PD)
Helps manage Parkinson's Disease (PD)
Extrapyramidal Disorders
Parkinsonism
Helps manage Parkinsonism
prophylaxis of Influenza A virus infection
influenza A virus
Dyskinesias
Used in combination with other therapies
Pharmacotherapy
Used in combination with other therapies
Parkinson Disease
Helps manage Parkinsonism
Parkinson Disease
Used in combination with other therapies
Parkinson's Disease
Helps manage Parkinson's Disease (PD)
Effectiveness
How Symmetrel Affects PatientsAmantadine is an antiviral drug that can also be used to treat Parkinson's disease, usually in combination with L-DOPA. It is made from a similar drug called rimantadine and its exact effects are not known. It has been shown to increase the amount of dopamine in the brain, but it does not have anticholinergic properties.
How Symmetrel works in the bodyThe exact way this drug works against Parkinson's Disease is unknown, but it seems to work by increasing the amount of dopamine in the brain. It also blocks certain receptors in the brain related to nerve signals. The way it works against viruses is different; it stops a viral protein called M2 from working, which is necessary for the virus to spread.
When to interrupt dosage
The suggested dose of Symmetrel is dependent on the diagnosed affliction, such as influenza A virus, Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) and Parkinson's Disease. The amount of dosage is based on the technique of delivery (e.g. Capsule - Oral or Oral), as detailed in the table below.Condition
Dosage
Administration
Dyskinesias
50.0 mg/mL, , 100.0 mg, 68.5 mg, 137.0 mg, 129.0 mg, 193.0 mg, 258.0 mg, 10.0 mg/mL, 1.0 mg/mg, 8.0 mg/mg, 322.0 mg, 161.0 mg
, Oral, Solution, Solution - Oral, Capsule, Capsule - Oral, Capsule, gelatin coated, Capsule, gelatin coated - Oral, Capsule, liquid filled, Capsule, liquid filled - Oral, Syrup, Syrup - Oral, Topical, Kit, Kit - Topical, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, Capsule, coated pellets, Capsule, coated pellets - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, extended release, Tablet, extended release - Oral
Parkinson Disease
50.0 mg/mL, , 100.0 mg, 68.5 mg, 137.0 mg, 129.0 mg, 193.0 mg, 258.0 mg, 10.0 mg/mL, 1.0 mg/mg, 8.0 mg/mg, 322.0 mg, 161.0 mg
, Oral, Solution, Solution - Oral, Capsule, Capsule - Oral, Capsule, gelatin coated, Capsule, gelatin coated - Oral, Capsule, liquid filled, Capsule, liquid filled - Oral, Syrup, Syrup - Oral, Topical, Kit, Kit - Topical, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, Capsule, coated pellets, Capsule, coated pellets - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, extended release, Tablet, extended release - Oral
prophylaxis of Influenza A virus infection
50.0 mg/mL, , 100.0 mg, 68.5 mg, 137.0 mg, 129.0 mg, 193.0 mg, 258.0 mg, 10.0 mg/mL, 1.0 mg/mg, 8.0 mg/mg, 322.0 mg, 161.0 mg
, Oral, Solution, Solution - Oral, Capsule, Capsule - Oral, Capsule, gelatin coated, Capsule, gelatin coated - Oral, Capsule, liquid filled, Capsule, liquid filled - Oral, Syrup, Syrup - Oral, Topical, Kit, Kit - Topical, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, Capsule, coated pellets, Capsule, coated pellets - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, extended release, Tablet, extended release - Oral
Parkinson Disease
50.0 mg/mL, , 100.0 mg, 68.5 mg, 137.0 mg, 129.0 mg, 193.0 mg, 258.0 mg, 10.0 mg/mL, 1.0 mg/mg, 8.0 mg/mg, 322.0 mg, 161.0 mg
, Oral, Solution, Solution - Oral, Capsule, Capsule - Oral, Capsule, gelatin coated, Capsule, gelatin coated - Oral, Capsule, liquid filled, Capsule, liquid filled - Oral, Syrup, Syrup - Oral, Topical, Kit, Kit - Topical, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, Capsule, coated pellets, Capsule, coated pellets - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, extended release, Tablet, extended release - Oral
Pharmacotherapy
50.0 mg/mL, , 100.0 mg, 68.5 mg, 137.0 mg, 129.0 mg, 193.0 mg, 258.0 mg, 10.0 mg/mL, 1.0 mg/mg, 8.0 mg/mg, 322.0 mg, 161.0 mg
, Oral, Solution, Solution - Oral, Capsule, Capsule - Oral, Capsule, gelatin coated, Capsule, gelatin coated - Oral, Capsule, liquid filled, Capsule, liquid filled - Oral, Syrup, Syrup - Oral, Topical, Kit, Kit - Topical, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, Capsule, coated pellets, Capsule, coated pellets - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, extended release, Tablet, extended release - Oral
influenza A virus
50.0 mg/mL, , 100.0 mg, 68.5 mg, 137.0 mg, 129.0 mg, 193.0 mg, 258.0 mg, 10.0 mg/mL, 1.0 mg/mg, 8.0 mg/mg, 322.0 mg, 161.0 mg
, Oral, Solution, Solution - Oral, Capsule, Capsule - Oral, Capsule, gelatin coated, Capsule, gelatin coated - Oral, Capsule, liquid filled, Capsule, liquid filled - Oral, Syrup, Syrup - Oral, Topical, Kit, Kit - Topical, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, Capsule, coated pellets, Capsule, coated pellets - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, extended release, Tablet, extended release - Oral
Parkinson's Disease
50.0 mg/mL, , 100.0 mg, 68.5 mg, 137.0 mg, 129.0 mg, 193.0 mg, 258.0 mg, 10.0 mg/mL, 1.0 mg/mg, 8.0 mg/mg, 322.0 mg, 161.0 mg
, Oral, Solution, Solution - Oral, Capsule, Capsule - Oral, Capsule, gelatin coated, Capsule, gelatin coated - Oral, Capsule, liquid filled, Capsule, liquid filled - Oral, Syrup, Syrup - Oral, Topical, Kit, Kit - Topical, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, Capsule, coated pellets, Capsule, coated pellets - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, extended release, Tablet, extended release - Oral
Extrapyramidal Disorders
50.0 mg/mL, , 100.0 mg, 68.5 mg, 137.0 mg, 129.0 mg, 193.0 mg, 258.0 mg, 10.0 mg/mL, 1.0 mg/mg, 8.0 mg/mg, 322.0 mg, 161.0 mg
, Oral, Solution, Solution - Oral, Capsule, Capsule - Oral, Capsule, gelatin coated, Capsule, gelatin coated - Oral, Capsule, liquid filled, Capsule, liquid filled - Oral, Syrup, Syrup - Oral, Topical, Kit, Kit - Topical, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, Capsule, coated pellets, Capsule, coated pellets - Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet, extended release, Tablet, extended release - Oral
Warnings
Symmetrel ContraindicationsCondition
Risk Level
Notes
Severe Hypersensitivity Reactions
Do Not Combine
Amantadine may interact with Pulse Frequency
Common Symmetrel Drug Interactions
Drug Name
Risk Level
Description
Adenovirus type 7 vaccine live
Major
The therapeutic efficacy of Adenovirus type 7 vaccine live can be decreased when used in combination with Amantadine.
Anthrax vaccine
Major
The therapeutic efficacy of Anthrax vaccine can be decreased when used in combination with Amantadine.
BCG vaccine
Major
The therapeutic efficacy of BCG vaccine can be decreased when used in combination with Amantadine.
Bacillus calmette-guerin substrain connaught live antigen
Major
The therapeutic efficacy of Bacillus calmette-guerin substrain connaught live antigen can be decreased when used in combination with Amantadine.
Bacillus calmette-guerin substrain russian BCG-I live antigen
Major
The therapeutic efficacy of Bacillus calmette-guerin substrain russian BCG-I live antigen can be decreased when used in combination with Amantadine.
Symmetrel Toxicity & Overdose RiskTaking too much amantadine can be fatal, with the lowest reported lethal dose being 2 grams. Some of the potential side effects of an overdose include irregular heartbeats, difficulty breathing, reduced kidney function, insomnia, anxiety, aggressive behavior, confusion, delirium, hallucinations, lethargy, seizures, and a fever.
Symmetrel Novel Uses: Which Conditions Have a Clinical Trial Featuring Symmetrel?
340 active investigations are underway to assess the potential of Symmetrel for treating Post-Encephalitic Parkinsonism, Parkinsonism and Chorea.Condition
Clinical Trials
Trial Phases
Pharmacotherapy
0 Actively Recruiting
influenza A virus
0 Actively Recruiting
Parkinson Disease
0 Actively Recruiting
Extrapyramidal Disorders
0 Actively Recruiting
Dyskinesias
0 Actively Recruiting
Parkinson's Disease
39 Actively Recruiting
Not Applicable, Phase 1, Phase 4, Phase 2, Phase 3, Early Phase 1
prophylaxis of Influenza A virus infection
0 Actively Recruiting
Parkinson Disease
0 Actively Recruiting
Symmetrel Reviews: What are patients saying about Symmetrel?
4.3Patient Review
2/23/2010 I was prescribed this for mental fatigue because of my MS. I've started to become really hypeverbal an hour after taking the dose, twice a day. I also have dysphasia and don't know if it's symmetrical or from the MS. Additionally, I've been itching all over my back--but that could just be dry skin. Another thing is that I haven't had the flu since starting this medication, but I take fiber daily for colitis so who knows if that also keeps me healthy? Anyway, diarrhea is rare for me--just a lot of regular bowel movements............MS spasms or what?
2.7Patient Review
2/7/2008 I'm sorry, but I didn't notice any difference.
2.7Patient Review
6/19/2010 The dizziness this caused was a bit of a problem, but my condition did improve while taking it.
2Patient Review
3/10/2011 I haven't had great results with amanadine. I experience chills, fatigue, runny eyes and nose, difficulty sleeping, and heartburn.
Patient Q&A Section about symmetrel
These questions and answers are submitted by anonymous patients, and have not been verified by our internal team.What is Symmetrel prescribed for?
"This medication is used to prevent or treat influenza A. If you have been infected with the flu, this medication may help make your symptoms less severe and shorten the time it will take you to get better."
Answered by AI
How does amantadine make you feel?
"Some people may experience agitation, irritability, or other abnormal behaviors when taking Amantadine. Additionally, it may cause some people to have suicidal thoughts or tendencies, or to become more depressed. If you experience sudden or strong feelings, such as feeling nervous, angry, restless, violent, or scared, be sure to tell your doctor."
Answered by AI
What type of drug is Symmetrel?
"Symmetrel is a prescription medicine that is used to treat the symptoms of Influenza A and Parkinson disease. Symmetrel can be used by itself or with other medications. Symmetrel belongs to a class of drugs that are called Antiparkinson Agents and Dopamine Agonists; Antivirals, Influenza."
Answered by AI
What is the drug amantadine used to treat?
"Amantadine is a medicine used to treat [Parkinson's disease](https://www.withpower.com/clinical-trials/parkinson's-disease) and its symptoms, including dyskinesia. It may be given alone or in combination with other medicines for Parkinson's disease."
Answered by AI