Symmetrel (Amantadine Hydrochloride) Drug Information: Description, User Reviews, Drug Side Effects, Interactions

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February 8, 2012

Symmetrel

Bird Flu »

Bird flu facts

Bird flu refers to strains of influenza that primarily affect wild and domesticated birds.
Bird flu is also known as avian flu or avian influenza.
Although bird flu is contagious and spreads easily among birds, it is uncommon for it to be transmitted to humans.
In the late 1990s, a new strain of bird flu arose which was unusually severe ("highly pathogenic"), resulting in the deaths of hundreds of millions of birds, including poultry.
Control efforts, including culling infected flocks and vaccinating healthy birds, have limited the spread of highly pathogenic bird flu.
In 2011, a mutated strain of highly pathogenic bird flu appeared, which is concerning because the existing poultry vaccines are not very effective against the new strain.
Human infection with the highly pathogenic strain of bird flu is uncommon, with fewer than 600 cases reported since 1997.
Huma...

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SYMMETREL®
(amantadine hydrochloride, USP) Tablets and Syrup

DRUG DESCRIPTION

SYMMETREL (Amantadine Hydrochloride, USP) is designated generically as amantadine hydrochloride and chemically as 1-adamantanamine hydrochloride.

SYMMETREL®
(Amantadine Hydrochloride) Structural Formula Illustration

Amantadine hydrochloride is a stable white or nearly white crystalline powder, freely soluble in water and soluble in alcohol and in chloroform.

Amantadine hydrochloride has pharmacological actions as both an anti-Parkinson and an antiviral drug.

SYMMETREL (amantadine hydrochloride) is available in tablets and syrup.

Each tablet intended for oral administration contains 100 mg amantadine hydrochloride and has the following inactive ingredients: hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, sodium starch glycolate, FD&C Yellow No. 6.

SYMMETREL syrup contains 50 mg of amantadine hydrochloride per 5 mL and has the following inactive ingredients: artificial raspberry flavor, citric acid, methylparaben, propylparaben, and sorbitol solution.

What are the possible side effects of amantadine (Symmetrel)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

feeling short of breath, even with mild exertion;
swelling, rapid weight gain;
feeling depressed, agitated, or aggressive;
behavior changes, hallucinations, thoughts of hurting yourself;
urinating less than usual or not at all;
high...

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What are the precautions when taking amantadine hydrochloride (Symmetrel)?

Before taking amantadine, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to rimantadine; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: a certain type of eye disease (untreated closed-angle glaucoma).

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: swelling of arms/legs (peripheral edema), heart problems (e.g., congestive heart failure), blood pressure problems (e.g., dizziness when standing), kidney disease, liver disease,...

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Last reviewed on RxList: 3/12/2009
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.