Amantadine — what it treats, how to take it, and how to stay safe

Here's a straight answer: amantadine is an older medicine that still helps people with Parkinson’s symptoms and was once used for certain flu strains. It can help reduce tremor, stiffness, and involuntary movements in some patients. But it can also cause confusion or sleep problems, so you want to know when it helps and when to be careful.

How amantadine works and who uses it

Amantadine affects brain chemicals involved in movement and also has antiviral action against some flu viruses. Doctors usually prescribe it for Parkinson’s disease when symptoms aren’t fully controlled by other meds, and sometimes for drug-induced involuntary movements (dyskinesia). It has limited use for influenza today because many strains are resistant, so your doctor will tell you if it’s appropriate.

Practical dosing and what to watch for

Common adult doses are 100 mg once or twice daily, and some people go to 100 mg three times daily depending on response and tolerance. For flu, a typical adult dose was 100 mg twice daily. If you have reduced kidney function, your doctor will lower the dose — amantadine is cleared by the kidneys, so it can build up and cause worse side effects if you don’t adjust it.

Watch for these common side effects: dizziness, trouble sleeping, dry mouth, nervousness, and nausea. In older adults or people with kidney problems, confusion, hallucinations, or sudden drowsiness can happen. A less common reaction is livedo reticularis — a mottled skin discoloration — which usually goes away if the drug is stopped.

Don’t drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how the drug affects you. Avoid alcohol because it can increase drowsiness and dizziness. Tell your doctor about other meds you take — combining amantadine with certain anticholinergic drugs, other dopaminergic drugs, or medications that affect the kidneys can cause problems.

Tips for buying amantadine online safely

If you need to buy amantadine online, use a legit pharmacy that asks for a prescription and lists a licensed pharmacist you can contact. Check that the website uses HTTPS, shows a physical address and phone number, and has clear return and privacy policies. Be wary of sellers offering prescription meds without a prescription, extremely low prices, or foreign-sounding packaging with no batch info.

Keep your receipts and pill bottles. When you get the medication, check the packaging, expiry date, and pills for consistency. If anything looks off — different color, unusual smell, or no imprint on the pill — contact the pharmacy and your healthcare provider before taking it.

If you’re unsure whether amantadine is right for you, ask your doctor or pharmacist. They can help match the dose, spot drug interactions, and suggest safer ways to buy and store the medicine.