How is amantadine poisoning treated?

There is no known antidote. Although some of the manifestations of toxicity are caused by the anticholinergic effects of amantadine, physostigmine should not be used if there is evidence of cardiac conduction disturbance (eg, wide QRS).

What happens if you overdose on amantadine?

An overdose of amantadine can be fatal. Overdose symptoms may include confusion, agitation, behavior changes, hallucinations, severe headache or pounding in your ears, muscle stiffness, problems with balance or walking, trouble breathing, fast heartbeats, or seizure.

Is amantadine hard on the kidneys?

A wide variety of toxic symptoms may be manifested by patients with renal dysfunction who have been given amantadine. They may become confused, depressed, aggressive, or tense. Ataxia, dizziness, tremulousness, slurred speech, blurred vision, and convulsions have been described.

Can amantadine be stopped suddenly?

Amantadine should NOT be stopped abruptly if you have been taking it for more than four weeks. What can happen if you stop amantadine abruptly or even reduce your dose rapidly, is that you are at risk of developing serious symptoms that resemble neuroleptic malignant syndrome.

Is amantadine poisoning real?

We present a case of amantadine intoxication that developed unexpectedly in a hospitalized patient with craniocerebral trauma. The intoxication confused the clinical situation and contributed to the patient’s deterioration and death.

Do side effects of amantadine go away?

Share on Pinterest A person should seek advice from a doctor if they experience any side effects from taking amantadine. Mild side effects may go away in a few days or weeks. If side effects are persistent or bothersome, speak with the doctor. If side effects are severe, contact the doctor as soon as possible.

How long does amantadine stay in your system?

The half-life was 17 ± 4 hours (range: 10 to 25 hours). Across other studies, amantadine plasma half-life has averaged 16 ± 6 hours (range: 9 to 31 hours) in 19 healthy volunteers.

Which serious adverse effect can amantadine have on the cardiovascular system?

In rare cases, a person may develop congestive heart failure while taking amantadine. For anyone with a history of congestive heart failure or edema, it is important to monitor closely for any symptoms, such as increased swelling or shortness of breath.

What are potential side effects of amantadine?

Amantadine may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

  • dry mouth.
  • constipation.
  • nausea.
  • vomiting.
  • decreased appetite.
  • difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep.
  • abnormal dreams.
  • headache.

How long does it take for amantadine to get out of your system?

Do you have to wean off of amantadine?

Amantadine should not be discontinued abruptly as it may cause NMS symptoms and higher doses of amantadine need to be gradually tapered for 1 to 2 weeks before discontinuation. Overdoses have led to death with the lowest reported acute lethal dose of 0.8 grams amantadine.