(a-MAN-ta-deen) is an antiviral.

Use: It is used to prevent or treat certain influenza (flu) infections (type A). It may be given alone or along with flu shots. Amantadine will not work for colds, other types of flu, or other virus infections. Amantadine also is an antidyskinetic. It is used to treat Parkinson's disease, sometimes called paralysis agitans or shaking palsy. It may be given alone or with other medicines for Parkinson's disease. By improving muscle control and reducing stiffness, this medicine allows more normal movements of the body as the disease symptoms are reduced. Amantadine is also used to treat stiffness and shaking caused by certain medicines used to treat nervous, mental, and emotional conditions.

Side Effects: Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur. Less common: Blurred vision; confusion (especially in elderly patients); difficult urination (especially in elderly patients); fainting; hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there); swelling of hands, feet, or lower legs.  Rare: Convulsions (seizures); decreased vision or any change in vision; difficulty in coordination; fever, chills, or sore throat; increased blood pressure; increase in body movements; irritation and swelling of the eye; loss of memory; mental depression; severe mood or mental changes; skin rash; slurred speech; thoughts of suicide or attempts at suicide; unexplained shortness of breath

Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. However, check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome. More common: Agitation, anxiety, or nervousness; difficulty concentrating; dizziness or lightheadedness; headache; irritability; loss of appetite; nausea; purplish red, net-like, blotchy spots on skin; trouble in sleeping. Less common or rare: Constipation; decrease in sexual desire; diarrhea; drowsiness; dryness of the mouth, nose, and throat; false sense of well-being; headache; vomiting; unusual tiredness or weakness

Precautions: Use this medicine exactly as directed by your doctor . Do not miss any doses and do not take more medicine than your doctor ordered.

Directions: This medicine works best when there is a constant amount in the blood. To help keep the amount constant, do not miss any doses. Also, it is best to take the doses at evenly spaced times day and night . For example, if you are to take two doses a day, the doses should be spaced about 12 hours apart. If this interferes with your sleep or other daily activities, or if you need help in planning the best times to take your medicine, check with your health care professional.

Remember: Keep out of the reach of children. Store away from heat and direct light. Do not store the capsule form of this medicine in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down. Keep the oral liquid form of this medicine from freezing. Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.

If you miss a dose of this medication you should give it as soon as you remember it, but if it is within a few hours of the regularly scheduled dose, wait and give it at the regular time. Do not double a dose as this can be toxic to your pet.