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Amantadine for Dogs: A Medication to Treat Chronic Pain

Catherine Barnette, DVMGhanasyam Bey, DVM
Published on October 7, 2024

Key takeaways:

  • Amantadine is a prescription medication that treats chronic pain in dogs. 

  • Amantadine is also an antiviral medication. But it’s rarely used for this purpose in dogs. 

  • Dogs don’t usually have side effects from amantadine. They may occasionally have diarrhea and vomiting. 

Vet examining a French bulldog in an animal clinic.
Frazao Studio Latino/E+ via Getty Images

If your dog has osteoarthritis, cancer, disk disease, or another source of chronic pain, your veterinarian may prescribe amantadine (Symmetrel). The medication was first developed to treat influenza A in people, but today it’s commonly used to treat chronic pain in dogs. 

Let’s review amantadine, including its uses, dosage, and potential side effects. 

Amantadine for dogs at a glance

Common names

Amantadine (Symmetrel)

What it treats

Chronic pain

How it comes (forms)

Tablet, oral liquid

Common side effects

Diarrhea, vomiting, gas, low appetite 

Average cost

$18-$55 (30 tablets)

What is amantadine for dogs, and how does it work?

Amantadine (Symmetrel) was originally developed to treat viral infections in people caused by influenza A. However, scientists discovered that it also affected nerve function.

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In dogs, it blocks a special pain receptor that can make pain feel worse if the animal is angry or anxious. Amantadine can also shut down the feeling of chronic pain in dogs when there should be no pain, like after a wound has completely healed. 

In people, amantadine has evolved into a treatment for Parkinson’s disease.

Amantadine is not FDA approved for use in dogs, so veterinarians prescribe it off-label.

What is amantadine used for in dogs?

Veterinarians use amantadine to treat different types of pain in dogs. Chronic pain conditions that are commonly treated with amantadine include: 

Amantadine typically works best as an add-on medication. So it’s often combined with other pain medications. Medications that are combined with amantadine to manage pain include: 

How is amantadine dosed and given to dogs?

Your veterinarian will determine the best amantadine dosage for your dog based on several factors, including: 

  • Your dog’s weight

  • The cause of your dog’s pain

  • The severity of your dog’s pain

  • Your dog’s overall health

  • Your dog’s other pain medications

You’ll typically give your dog amantadine once or twice daily, on a long-term basis. Follow your veterinarian’s directions carefully when giving amantadine. Giving too much may increase your dog’s risk of side effects.

What are the common side effects of amantadine in dogs?

Amantadine is a relatively safe medication for dogs. Most dogs do not have significant side effects from it. Any side effects are typically mild. 

Gastrointestinal side effects of amantadine may include: 

Giving amantadine with food may help prevent GI side effects. But contact your veterinarian if the side effects persist.

Some dogs become sleepy during the early days of amantadine treatment. Drowsiness often goes away as they get used to the medication. If your dog seems drowsy while taking amantadine, contact your veterinarian to determine the best course of action. 

What are the most serious risks of amantadine for dogs?

Rarely, dogs taking amantadine may experience serious side effects, including: 

If your dog reacts this way while taking amantadine, contact your veterinarian or an emergency veterinary hospital immediately. 

Does amantadine interact with any other dog medications?

Amantadine can be safely combined with a wide variety of medications. However, some medications do interact with it. These interactions may increase the risk of side effects or make amantadine less effective. 

Drugs that may interact with amantadine include: 

Talk to your veterinarian about your dog’s medications. Tell them about any prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, and nutritional supplements. If your veterinarian knows your dog’s medications, they can help prevent the risk of drug interactions.  

What should you do if your dog misses a dose of amantadine?

If you forget to give your dog a dose of amantadine, give the missed dose as soon as possible. If it’s almost time for your dog’s next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your dog’s regular dosing schedule. Do not give a double dose of amantadine. 

The bottom line

Amantadine (Symmetrel) is a safe and effective treatment for canine pain. It is often combined with NSAIDs, opioids, and/or gabapentin to manage pain from arthritis, disk disease, or cancer. 

Amantadine has a low risk of side effects, though some dogs may develop temporary tummy upset. Serious risks like seizures are possible. Talk to your veterinarian about whether amantadine may help your dog. 

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Why trust our experts?

Catherine Barnette, DVM
Catherine Barnette, DVM, is a small animal veterinarian with 14 years of experience providing preventive care, medical workups, and surgical services in a number of general veterinary practices. She also served on her county's board of health for several years and taught biology laboratories for college students.
Renée Fabian, MA
Renée Fabian is the senior pet health editor at GoodRx. She’s worked for nearly 10 years as a journalist and editor across a wide range of health and well-being topics.
Ghanasyam Bey, DVM
Reviewed by:
Ghanasyam Bey, DVM
Ghanasyam Bey, DVM, is from Cleveland, Ohio, and attended Princeton University for undergraduate studies. After a year of biology research at Duke University, he attended Ohio State College of Veterinary Medicine.

References

British Small Animal Veterinary Association. (2020). Amantadine.

Brooks, W. (2019). Osteosarcoma in dogs. Veterinary Partner.

View All References (6)

Brooks, W. (2022). Amantadine. Veterinary Partner. 

Chang, C., et al. (2023). Amantadine. StatPearls.

College of Veterinary Medicine. (n.d.). NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) medication guide for animals.

Cornell Richard P. Riney Canine Health Center. (n.d.). Intervertebral disc disease.

Grubb, T. (2018). Gabapentin and amantadine for chronic pain: Is your dose right? Today’s Veterinary Practice.

Gruen, M. E., et al. (2022). 2022 AAHA pain management guidelines for dogs and cats. Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association.

GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.

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