Amantadine is an antiviral agent with mild antiparkinsonian activity. Amantadine was used in the early 2000s for Influenza A treatment. A 2006 meta-analysis showed that the drug decreased influenza symptoms by one day and decreased the severity of fever and other symptoms. However, high levels of resistance have emerged recently, initially from Asia and now to North America. As of 2011, the CDC does not recommend treatment or prophylaxis of influenza A due to the high levels of resistance.[1][2][3]

Amantadine is now used mostly for Parkinson disease. Clinical trials have shown that amantadine decreases symptoms of bradykinesia, rigidity, and tremor. There is a combined synergistic effect with added levodopa, which is converted to dopamine by striatal enzymes in the CNS. There can be a transient benefit to the drug, so short-term therapy for patients with mild disease is best.

Besides, the two FDA-approved usages of amantadine; there are a few other diseases that can benefit from amantadine. Clinical trials have conflicting results for the reduction of chorea in Huntington disease. The 2012 American Academy of Neurology guidelines suggests amantadine is likely effective in decreasing chorea, although the degree of effect is unknown. Amantadine is a first-line agent for fatigue in multiple sclerosis. Amantadine may be useful in restless leg syndrome. However, data is limited to a small clinical trial. Amantadine has also been used in traumatic brain injuries. Initial studies had suggested that it may promote functional recovery. A clinical trial in 2012 concluded amantadine accelerated the pace of functional recovery in patients with severe traumatic brain injuries. However, there were no significant differences in overall improvement compared with the placebo group.

FDA-Labeled Indications

• Parkinson disease: Drug-induced extrapyramidal reactions
• Influenza A: Prophylaxis and treatment

Non-FDA Approved Indications

• Huntington disease: Chorea
• Multiple sclerosis: Fatigue
• Restless leg syndrome
• Traumatic brain injuries

The mechanism of action of amantadine is uncertain. Antiviral activity primarily interferes with viral replication. Amantadine disrupts the transmembrane domain of the viral M2 protein, which prevents infectious viral nucleic acid entry into the host cell. It may also inhibit the assembly of influenza A virus isolates from each of the subtypes (H1N1, H2N2, and H3N2) during replication. Influenza B has a structurally different M2 protein, which makes amantadine ineffective.[4]

In the treatment of Parkinson disease, studies have shown amantadine acts on dopamine neurons. Amantadine is a weak, non-competitive antagonist of the NMDA receptor, which increases dopamine release and prevents dopamine reuptake. Although amantadine does not have anticholinergic activity, there may be anticholinergic side effects such as dry mouth, urinary retention, and constipation clinically.

FDA Approved

Amantadine is typically administered orally once daily or in divided doses depending on the indication. There is also amantadine syrup available. For the treatment of influenza A, amantadine 200 mg daily or 100 mg twice daily should be administered within 24 to 48 hours after onset of symptoms and should continue for 24 to 48 hours after the symptoms have resolved. For prophylaxis, patients should continue treatment for the entirety of the influenza season.

For the treatment of Parkinson disease, amantadine is also given orally 100 mg twice daily and increased to 200 mg twice daily as needed. For patients taking other parkinsonian drugs, dosing should begin at 100 mg once daily.

Non-FDA Approved

Huntington chorea: 100 mg oral 3 to 4 times daily

Multiple sclerosis-related fatigue: 100 mg orally twice daily, increasing to 200 mg twice daily as needed

Restless leg syndrome: 100 mg orally daily, increasing to 300 mg per day as needed

Traumatic brain injury: 100 mg orally twice daily, increasing to 200 mg twice daily as needed

Discontinuation of Therapy

It is important not to discontinue amantadine abruptly as it can cause neuroleptic malignant syndrome-like symptoms, such as high fever, tachycardia, muscle rigidity, and altered mental status. Reduce the dose by half for one week before discontinuing.

The clearance of amantadine greatly diminishes in elderly patients and patients with renal impairment. Dose modification merits consideration in such cases.

The main advantage of amantadine is that it has a low side effect profile. The primary adverse effects of amantadine may include orthostatic hypotension, syncope, peripheral edema, dizziness, delusions, hallucinations, falls, xerostomia, and constipation. Although livedo reticularis is a less common side effect, amantadine is one of the best-known drugs to cause it. This side effect is reversible with the withdrawal of medication. Serious adverse effects include neuroleptic malignant syndrome, psychosis, suicidal ideation, and CNS depression. The central nervous system (CNS) depression requires monitoring, especially with the elderly. Providers should caution patients against activities that require physical and mental alertness, such as driving and avoid combination with other CNS depressing agents, such as alcohol. Caution with usage and dosage adjustments may be necessary for those with heart disease, seizure disorder, hepatic impairment, and renal impairment.[2]

Amantadine is contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity to the drug or components of the formulation. The drug undergoes renal excretion, so the extended-release dosage-form is contraindicated in patients with end-stage renal disease. Due to the possible anticholinergic side effects, patients with glaucoma or prostate hypertrophy should use with caution.

Amantadine is an FDA category C for pregnancy. Researchers have observed teratogenic events in multiple animal reproduction studies. Clinicians should select another antiparkinsonian agent for pregnant patients with Parkinson disease unless the benefits outweigh the risks. Amantadine is present in breast milk. It can influence the production and excretion of breast milk. Physicians should properly advise and weigh out the risk of infant exposure, the benefits of breastfeeding, and the benefits of the drug to the mother before starting the medication.