Amantadine Extended-Release Capsules

Name: Amantadine Extended-Release Capsules

What are some things I need to know or do while I take Amantadine Extended-Release Capsules?

For all uses of this medicine:

  • Tell all of your health care providers that you take this medicine (amantadine extended-release capsules). This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
  • Avoid driving and doing other tasks or actions that call for you to be alert or have clear eyesight until you see how this medicine affects you.
  • To lower the chance of feeling dizzy or passing out, rise slowly if you have been sitting or lying down. Be careful going up and down stairs.
  • Heat stroke has happened in people taking this medicine (amantadine extended-release capsules). Be careful in hot weather and during physical activity.
  • Talk with your doctor before getting a flu vaccine after taking this medicine. Talk with your doctor before you take this medicine (amantadine extended-release capsules) if you have just gotten a flu vaccine.
  • Avoid drinking alcohol while taking this medicine.
  • Talk with your doctor before you use other drugs and natural products that slow your actions.
  • If you have kidney problems, talk with your doctor. Your dose may need to be changed based on how well your kidneys work. Deaths have happened in people with kidney problems whose dose was too high for their kidney function.
  • Deadly overdoses have happened with this medicine (amantadine extended-release capsules) in adults and children. Keep away from children. Do not take more than you were told. If this drug is taken by accident, call your poison control center or get medical care right away.
  • If you are 65 or older, use this medicine with care. You could have more side effects.
  • Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks of using this medicine (amantadine extended-release capsules) while you are pregnant.

Parkinson's disease:

  • Do not stop taking this medicine all of a sudden without calling your doctor. You may have a greater risk of side effects. If you need to stop this medicine (amantadine extended-release capsules), you will want to slowly stop it as ordered by your doctor.
  • The chance of a type of skin cancer called melanoma may be raised in people with Parkinson's disease. It is not known if this medicine may also raise the chance. Have skin exams while you take this medicine (amantadine extended-release capsules). Talk with your doctor.

How is this medicine (Amantadine Extended-Release Capsules) best taken?

Use this medicine as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

  • Take with or without food.
  • Take at bedtime if taking once a day.
  • Swallow whole. Do not chew or crush.
  • If you cannot swallow the capsule whole, you may open the capsule and mix the contents with soft foods. Do not chew or suck. Swallow right away. Do not store for future use.
  • To gain the most benefit, do not miss doses.
  • Keep taking this medicine (amantadine extended-release capsules) as you have been told by your doctor or other health care provider, even if you feel well.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

  • Skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time.
  • Do not take 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.

What are some side effects that I need to call my doctor about right away?

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

For all uses of this medicine:

  • Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
  • Signs of a urinary tract infection (UTI) like blood in the urine, burning or pain when passing urine, feeling the need to pass urine often or right away, fever, lower stomach pain, or pelvic pain.
  • Change in how you act.
  • Feeling confused.
  • Very bad dizziness or passing out.
  • Hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not there).
  • Seizures.
  • Shortness of breath, a big weight gain, or swelling in the arms or legs.
  • Trouble passing urine.
  • Blurred eyesight.
  • Strong urges that are hard to control (such as eating, gambling, sex, or spending money).
  • Change in balance.
  • Falls.
  • Patients who take this medicine (amantadine extended-release capsules) may be at a greater risk of having thoughts or actions of suicide. The risk may be greater in people who have had these thoughts or actions in the past. Call the doctor right away if signs like low mood (depression), nervousness, restlessness, grouchiness, panic attacks, or changes in mood or actions are new or worse. Call the doctor right away if any thoughts or actions of suicide occur.
  • Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is a very bad and sometimes deadly health problem that has happened when this medicine was stopped all of a sudden. NMS has also happened when the dose of this medicine (amantadine extended-release capsules) was lowered. Call your doctor right away if you have any fever, muscle cramps or stiffness, dizziness, very bad headache, confusion, change in thinking, fast heartbeat, heartbeat that does not feel normal, or are sweating a lot.
  • Some people have fallen asleep during activities like driving, eating, or talking. Some people did not feel sleepy and felt alert right before falling asleep. This has happened up to 1 year after this medicine was started. If you fall asleep during activities, do not drive or do other tasks or actions that call for you to be alert while you take this medicine (amantadine extended-release capsules). Call your doctor right away if this happens or you feel very sleepy.

Parkinson's disease:

  • A skin lump or growth.
  • Change in color or size of a mole.

How do I store and/or throw out Amantadine Extended-Release Capsules?

  • Store at room temperature.
  • Store in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.
  • Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
  • Check with your pharmacist about how to throw out unused drugs.
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