Amantadine

Antiparkinsonian Drug

Drug class: Dopaminergic Antiparkinsonian Agent

Amantadine（中文：金鋼烷胺）

Common Strengths

• Tablets: 100 mg

Drug Usage

Amantadine is utilized for:

• Treating dyskinesia associated with Parkinson's disease.
• Managing drug-induced extrapyramidal symptoms.

Mechanism of Action

The exact mechanism is not fully understood, but it is believed to:

• Increase dopamine release and inhibit its reuptake.
• Act as a weak NMDA receptor antagonist, which helps in reducing dyskinesia.

Route of Administration

Amantadine is administered orally.

Dosages

• Initial Dose: 100 mg once daily; may be increased based on response.

Side Effects

Frequency	Adverse reactions
Common Side Effects	Dizziness
	Nausea
	Insonia
Serious Side Effects	Congestive heary failure exacerbation
	Severe skin reactions (e.g. rash)
	Neuroleptic malignant syndrome

Pharmacokinetics

• Onset Time: Effects may begin within 2 days, but full benefits can take up to 2 weeks.
• Duration: gnerally lasting 12 to 24 hours.

Drug Precautions

Pregnancy

Amantadine should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed, as risks vs. benefits must be evaluated.

Breastfeeding

Excretion in breast milk is unknown; caution is advised.

Drug Monitoring Items

• Renal Function
  • Regular assessment of renal function is critical, especially in elderly patients or those with pre-existing renal impairment. Amantadine is predominantly excreted unchanged through the kidneys, and impaired renal function can lead to increased plasma concentrations and prolonged half-life of the drug. Monitoring should include:
    • Serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels.
    • Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR).