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Amantadine hydrochloride 100mg capsules

Active Ingredient:
amantadine hydrochloride
Company:  
Alliance Pharmaceuticals See contact details
ATC code: 
N04BB01
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About Medicine
The Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) is the leaflet included in the pack with a medicine.
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Last updated on emc: 23 Sep 2024

Below is a text only representation of the Patient Information Leaflet (ePIL).

The text only version may be available in large print, Braille or audio CD. For further information call emc accessibility on {phone} 0800 198 5000. The product code(s) for this leaflet is: PL 16853/0015.

Amantadine hydrochloride 100mg capsules

PATIENT LEAFLET: INFORMATION FOR THE USER

Amantadine hydrochloride 100 mg capsules

Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start taking this medicine because it contains important information for you.
  • Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
  • If you have any further questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
  • This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Do not pass it on to others. It may harm them, even if their signs of illness are the same as yours.
  • If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. See section 4.

What is in this leaflet

1. What Amantadine hydrochloride 100 mg capsules are and what they are used for
2. What you need to know before you take Amantadine hydrochloride 100mg capsules
3. How to take Amantadine hydrochloride 100 mg capsules
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store Amantadine hydrochloride 100 mg capsules
6. Contents of the pack and other information

1. What Amantadine hydrochloride 100mg capsules are and what they are used for

Amantadine is a dopaminergic drug which means it can increase the levels of certain chemicals which transmit impulses in the nervous system, including the brain.

Amantadine hydrochloride 100mg capsules are used:

  • to treat Parkinson’s disease by improving muscle control and reducing stiffness, shakiness and shuffling
  • in the treatment of shingles (herpes zoster), to reduce pain.

2. What you need to know before you take Amantadine hydrochloride 100mg capsules
Do not take Amantadine hydrochloride 100mg capsules:
  • if you are allergic to amantadine hydrochloride or any of the ingredients of Amantadine hydrochloride 100mg capsules (listed in Section 6)
  • if you suffer from fits (convulsions), for example epilepsy
  • if you have ever had an ulcer in your stomach or small intestine
  • if you suffer from any serious kidney disease
  • if you are pregnant or trying to become pregnant (see Section 2 Pregnancy and breast-feeding)
  • if you are breast-feeding (see Section 2 Pregnancy and breast-feeding).

If any of the above applies to you, or if you are not sure, speak to your doctor or pharmacist before you take Amantadine hydrochloride 100mg capsules.

Warnings and precautions

Talk to your doctor before you take Amantadine hydrochloride 100mg capsules if:

  • you suffer from any liver or kidney disease
  • you have a history of disease involving the heart and blood vessels
  • you are currently suffering from heart problems or heart failure (heart problems which cause shortness of breath or ankle swelling)
  • you have any mental illness for example, schizophrenia or dementia
  • you have increased pressure in the eyes (glaucoma)

If any of the above applies to you, or if you are not sure, speak to your doctor or pharmacist before you take Amantadine hydrochloride 100mg capsules.

Tell your doctor if you or your family/carer notices that you are developing urges or cravings to behave in ways that are unusual for you and you cannot resist the impulse, drive or temptation to carry out certain activities that could harm yourself or others. These are called impulse control disorders and can include behaviours such as addictive gambling, excessive eating or spending, an abnormally high sex drive or an increase in sexual thoughts or feelings.

Your doctor may need to adjust or stop your dose of Amantadine hydrochloride.

If blurred vision or other visual problems occur please contact an eye doctor immediately.

Other medicines and Amantadine hydrochloride 100mg capsules

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken, or might take any of the following medicines as they may interfere with Amantadine hydrochloride 100mg capsules:

  • anti-cholinergics - (used to treat Parkinson’s disease) such as procyclidine
  • anti-spasmodics - (used to treat stomach spasms or cramps) such as hyoscine
  • levodopa - used to treat Parkinson’s disease
  • anti-psychotics - (used to improve thoughts, feelings and behaviour when these are disturbed in certain medical conditions) such as chlorpromazine, haloperidol
  • diuretics (water tablets) - (used to relieve water retention and reduce high blood pressure) such as hydrochlorothiazide, amiloride or triamterene.

Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription.

Amantadine hydrochloride 100mg capsules with food and alcohol

Be careful when drinking alcohol whilst taking Amantadine hydrochloride 100mg capsules, it may affect you more than usual.

Amantadine hydrochloride 100mg capsules should be taken with a glass of water.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding

Do not take Amantadine hydrochloride 100mg capsules if you are pregnant or trying to become pregnant.

Do not take Amantadine hydrochloride 100mg capsules if you are breast-feeding because amantadine passes into breast milk and could harm your baby.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking any medicine.

Driving and using machines

Taking Amantadine hydrochloride 100mg capsules may make your vision blurred or make you feel dizzy. If you are affected you should not drive or use machines until the effect has worn off.

Amantadine hydrochloride 100mg capsules contains lactose.

If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicine.

3. How to take Amantadine hydrochloride 100mg capsules

Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor has told you to. You should check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.

Swallow the capsules whole with a drink of water.

The usual dose is different in the following circumstances:

Parkinson’s disease

Adults: 1 capsule (100 mg) a day for the first week. Your doctor will increase this to 2 capsules a day (200 mg). Higher doses, up to 4 capsules (400 mg) a day may be given in some cases.

Adults over 65 years: 1 capsule (100 mg) once a day.

Shingles (herpes zoster)

The dose is 2 capsules (200 mg) a day for 14 days. If your pain continues your doctor may give you another 14 days treatment.

If you have kidney problems, your doctor may give you a lower dose.

What to do if you take more Amantadine hydrochloride 100mg capsules than you should

If you accidentally take too many capsules, or someone else takes any of your medicine, you should tell your doctor at once or contact the nearest accident and emergency department. Show any left-over medicines or the empty packet to the doctor.

If you forget to take Amantadine hydrochloride 100mg capsules

Do not worry. If you miss a dose, take another as soon as you remember, unless it is almost time for your next dose. Then go on as before. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.

If you stop taking Amantadine hydrochloride 100mg capsules

Do not stop taking Amantadine hydrochloride 100mg capsules suddenly as your symptoms may get worse.

If you want to stop taking Amantadine hydrochloride 100mg capsules ask your doctor who will tell you how to reduce the dose gradually.

If you are taking anti-psychotics (used to treat mental disturbances) and you suddenly stop taking Amantadine hydrochloride 100mg capsules, you may develop a collection of symptoms including:

  • fever
  • sweating
  • a rapid heart beat
  • muscle stiffness (difficulty in movement)
  • loss of bladder control (you may have a sudden urge to pass water)

If you develop any of these symptoms you should contact your doctor immediately.

Some patients may notice that this medicine loses its effect after they have taken it regularly for a few months. If you notice this, tell your doctor.

If you have any further questions on the use of this product, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

4. Possible side effects

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them. These effects are often mild and may wear off after a few days treatment. If they are severe or last more than a few days, tell your doctor or pharmacist.

If any of the following symptoms occur, you should tell your doctor or contact the nearest hospital straight away:

  • convulsions (fits)
  • fainting
  • dizziness or light headedness

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you think you have any of these or other problems with Amantadine hydrochloride 100mg capsules:

Very common side effects (that affect more than 1 person in 10):

  • swollen ankles
  • red blotchy spots on the skin

Common side effects (that affect less than 1 person in 10):

  • depression
  • confusion
  • hallucinations
  • anxiety
  • feeling overexcited
  • difficulty sleeping
  • nightmares
  • feeling nervous
  • headache
  • feeling tired
  • difficulty in controlling movements
  • difficulty concentrating
  • slurred speech
  • fast or irregular heartbeat
  • low blood pressure when standing up. This may make you feel dizzy or faint
  • muscle pain
  • loss of appetite
  • feeling or being sick
  • constipation
  • sweating
  • dry mouth

Uncommon side effects (that affect less than 1 person in 100):

  • blurred vision

Rare side effects (that affect less than 1 person in 1000):

  • Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS). You may feel hot and have muscle stiffness
  • convulsions (fits)
  • shakiness
  • difficulty moving
  • disorientation (not knowing where you are)
  • disturbed thoughts or behaviour such as feeling paranoid
  • loss of bladder control. You may have difficulty in passing water or have a sudden urge to pass water
  • corneal lesion, corneal oedema, reduced visual acuity
  • problems with your eyes such as itchiness or redness
  • skin rash
  • diarrhoea

Very rare side effects (that affect less than 1 person in 10 000):

  • heart problems which cause shortness of breath or ankle swelling
  • reduction in the number of white blood cells which makes infections more likely
  • changes in blood tests which show how the liver is working
  • sensitivity to sunlight

Not known (frequency cannot be estimated from the available data):

  • Urge to behave in an unusual way - strong impulse to gamble excessively, altered or increased sexual interest, uncontrollable excessive shopping or spending, binge eating (eating large amounts of food in a short time period) or compulsive eating (eating more food than normal and more than is needed to satisfy your hunger)
  • Quick, involuntary muscle jerk

If any of the side effects gets worse, or if you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet, please tell your doctor or pharmacist.

Reporting of side effects

If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme (Website: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard) or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store. By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

5. How to store Amantadine hydrochloride 100mg capsules

Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.

Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the packaging. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.

Keep the blister in the outer carton in order to protect from moisture.

Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist on how to dispose of medicines no longer required. These measures will help protect the environment.

6. Contents of the pack and other information
What is in Amantadine hydrochloride 100mg capsules?

The active substance in this medicine is amantadine hydrochloride.

Each capsule contains 100 mg amantadine hydrochloride. The other ingredients are:

  • lactose, povidone, magnesium stearate, red iron oxide (E172), titanium dioxide (E171), gelatin and monogramming ink S-1-7085 white containing: titanium dioxide (E171), ammonium hydroxide 28%, propylene glycol (E1520), simethicone or SB-0007P white ink containing: shellac, propylene glycol, sodium hydroxide, povidone, titanium dioxide (E171).

What Amantadine hydrochloride 100mg capsules look like and contents of the pack

Amantadine hydrochloride 100mg capsules are brownish-red, hard gelatine capsules with SYMM printed on them in white. Amantadine hydrochloride 100mg capsules come in boxes of 56 capsules. Not all pack sizes may be marketed.

Marketing Authorisation Holder and Manufacturer

Marketing Authorisation holder:

Alliance Pharmaceuticals Limited
Avonbridge House
Bath Road
Chippenham
Wiltshire
SN15 2BB
UK

Manufacturer:

Chanelle Medical Unlimited Company
Dublin Road
Loughrea
Co. Galway
H62 FH90
Ireland

This leaflet was last revised in: April 2024

Amantadine 100mg PIL UK v003 7

The Parkinson's Disease Society

The Parkinson's Disease Society is a voluntary organisation. It works to improve the quality of life of people who have Parkinson's (and their families and carers) by providing vital support and advice and funding of relevant research.

If you need independent information or advice, please contact The Parkinson's Disease Society.

Freephone helpline (9.30am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday): 0808 800 0303

Address: 215 Vauxhall Bridge Road, London SW1V 1EJ

E-mail: [email protected]

Website: www.parkinsons.org.uk

Alliance Pharmaceuticals
Company image
Address
Avonbridge House, Bath Road, Chippenham, Wiltshire, SN15 2BB
Telephone
+44 (0)1249 466 966
Fax
+44 (0)1249 466 977
Medical Information e-mail
[email protected]