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Symmetrel is the brand name for amantadine and is available as an oral tablet, capsule, and syrup.

Symmetrel is available as a 100 mg oral tablet/capsule and a 50 mg/5 ml oral syrup.

Symmetrel is a NMDA antagonist and is used to treat the following:

• Parkinsonism, including Parkinson’s disease (PD)
• Extrapyramidal symptoms (uncontrolled body movements)

Symmetrel is an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonist. The way it treats Parkinson’s disease isn’t well-understood. But it’s thought to work by blocking NMDA receptor in the brain, which raises dopamine levels. This helps to relieve some movement symptoms, such as trembling, stiffness, and slowness of movement.

Symmetrel is dosed as follows:

• Parkinsonism, including Parkinson’s disease: The typical starting dose is 100 mg by mouth once daily. If needed, your provider might raise your dose to 100 mg twice daily. The maximum total dose is 400 mg daily, taken in divided doses
• Extrapyramidal symptoms: The typical starting dose is 100 mg by mouth twice daily. The maximum total dose is 300 mg daily, taken in divided doses
• Your dose might differ if you’ve kidney problems

Symmetrel is a safe and effective treatment when used for FDA licensed indications. However, like all medications, they may give you unwanted side effects. You should always discuss potential side effects with your physician to ensure the medication is suitable and right for you.

Common side effects of Symmetrel:

• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Trouble sleeping

Serious side effects are rare with Symmetrel. Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.

• Suicidal thoughts or behaviors
• Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS): very high fevers, irregular pulse, sweating, muscle stiffness, confusion, changes in blood pressure
• Accidentally taking too much (overdose): death, fast heartbeat, difficulty breathing, decreased urination, stiff or rigid arms or legs, confusion

The following medications may interact with Symmetrel:

• Careful observation is required when Symmetrel is administered concurrently with central nervous system stimulants
• Agents with anticholinergic properties may potentiate the anticholinergic-like side effects of amantadine
• Coadministration of thioridazine has been reported to worsen the tremor in elderly patients with Parkinson’s disease
• Coadministration of quinine or quinidine with amantadine was shown to reduce the renalclearance of amantadine by about 30%
• The concurrent use of Symmetrel with live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) intranasal has not been evaluated. However, because of the potential for interference between these products, LAIV should not be administered within 2 weeks before or 48 hours after administration of Symmetrel, unless medically indicated
• Trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine can be administered at any time relative to use of Symmetrel

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There are no adequate and well-controlled studies of Symmetrel in pregnant women. It is unknown whether Symmetrel can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Symmetrel should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.