amantadine

• Risk factors: History of sleep problems | Taking sedatives or medications that make you drowsy

Amantadine can cause you to fall asleep during the day, even if you don't feel sleepy. This can sometimes lead to accidents if you're driving a car or operating machinery. Before starting treatment, talk to your provider if you've history of sleep disorder or if you take medications that make you drowsy. Avoid drinking alcohol while taking amantadine because it can worsen sleepiness. Don't do activities that require your full attention, like driving, until you know how this medication affects you. If you experience falling asleep while doing normal activities, let your provider know right away.

• Risk factor: History of depression

Amantadine can raise the risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior. Watch for worsening depression or any unusual changes in mood or behavior, especially during the beginning of treatment or when the dose changes. Be aware of changes in behavior that could lead to suicidal thoughts or depression, and report anything concerning to your provider right away.

• Risk factor: History of psychosis | Taking or suddenly stopping amantadine

Amantadine can sometimes cause you to see or hear things that are not real. This is because it can raise your dopamine levels, which can cause changes in mood, confusion, agitation, and aggressive behavior. The risk is higher if you've a history of mental health conditions or if you suddenly stop taking this medication. Let your provider know if you have certain mental health conditions before starting amantadine.

• Risk factors: Drinking alcohol | Taking higher dose of amantadine

Amantadine can lower your blood pressure, which can put you at risk of fainting. Some medical conditions and medications can raise your risk for these side effects. Tell your providers about your medical history and all your medications so they can decide whether amantadine is safe for you to take.

While you're taking amantadine, it's important that you watch out for symptoms of dizziness, lightheadedness, and feeling faint when you change positions too quickly. Tell your provider right away if you have these symptoms so your provider can adjust your dose as needed. Get up slowly from a sitting or lying down position to prevent a sudden drop in blood pressure.

Although rare, suddenly stopping amantadine or lowering your dose can cause side effects similar to those of neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS). This is a life-threatening condition that's caused by certain mental health medications. It can cause very high fevers, confusion, irregular pulse, sweating, muscle stiffness, and changes in blood pressure. In addition, suddenly stopping amantadine can also worsen your symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, which can lead to delirium, agitation, delusions, hallucinations. Don't stop taking amantadine or lower your dose without talking to your provider, so they can instruct you on how to stop the medication safely.

Amantadine can cause changes in people's behavior, including strong sexual or gambling urges, urges to spend money, and binge eating. This medication can also make it harder to control these urges. If these urges start to have a negative impact on your life, let your provider know. Typically stopping this medication or taking it at a lower dose can help these urges to go away. You might not know you have these urges while taking amantadine, so your provider might ask you if you've recently had these behaviors at your next visit.

• Risk factors: Kidney problems

Rarely, people have died from overdosing on amantadine. This has happened with doses of at least 1 gram, and is more likely if you have kidney problems. It's important to take amantadine exactly as prescribed by your provider. Before starting treatment, let your provider know if you've a history of kidney disease so they can prescribe the appropriate dose.

• Risk factor: History of seizures

If you've had seizures in the past or you take medications to control seizures, amantadine might raise your risk of having a seizure. If you experience a seizure during treatment, stop taking this medication and get medical help right away.

• Risk factors: History of heart failure | Swelling in the arms or legs

Some people developed heart failure while taking amantadine. Your risk might be higher if you've a history of heart failure or swelling in your arms or legs. Let your provider know if you experience shortness of breath or swelling in these areas of your body during treatment, as these can be symptoms of heart failure.

Amantadine is cleared from your body by your kidneys. If you've a history of kidney problems or if you're 65 years and older, your body might not clear amantadine as well. This can raise your risk of side effects. To lower this risk, your provider will need to lower your dose of amantadine.

While rare, amantadine can cause liver problems. This can be problematic for people with a history of liver disease. Let your provider know if you've liver problems before you start taking amantadine because they might need to order blood work to check your liver labs from time to time.

Studies show that people with Parkinson's disease have a higher risk of skin cancer. Although it's not clear whether the risk is due to the condition itself or the medications. Let your provider know if you have any new or unusual growths on your skin or a change in one of your moles. Your provider might recommend occasional skin examinations during treatment with amantadine.