Amantadine Side Effects, Amantadine for Treating Parkinson’s Disease – drkharkar

(Brand names in India: Amantrel, Parkitidin)

How does Amantadine act?

Amantadine is a another friend of levodopa (remember: its other friend is entacapone).

While it can decrease the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, it works best when it is given to support the action of levodopa.

While Entacapone can sometimes increase the side-effects of levodopa, Amantadine is the friend who smoothens out your rough edges, makes you a better person. Amantadine decreases some side-effects of levodopa and makes it more wonderful.

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Levodopa’s two friends: Entacapone & Amantadine.

No one quite understands how Amantadine works for Parkinson’s disease. It was originally designed to kill the influenza virus. However, doctors accidentally discovered that it makes Parkinson’s disease better as well.

It has one, fantastic and unique effect in Parkinson’s disease that is described below.

Use/Advantages:

    1. Treatment of “Dyskinesias”: Some patients with Parkinson’s disease start getting bothersome movements of the hands, legs and neck after a few years of treatment. I want you to understand these movements. So with all respect: please allow me to describe these movements in the simplest way possible. These movements are dance-like movements, somewhat similar to the way Michael Jackson dances on stage. The Latin word for dance is chorea, and therefore these movements are called chorei-form (dance-like) movements. Since that word is very complicated, they are also called “Dyskinesias”. These movements are often time-linked to levodopa. They are maximum in intensity 30 min – 1 hour after taking levodopa.
      MichaelJackson2
      Dyskinesias are dance-like movements.

      Amantadine has one fantastic effect – it decreases these movements tremendously. For patients who have not been able to take enough levodopa because of these movements, it enables intake of an adequate quantity of levodopa, so that they can have a much better quality of life.

    2. It may smoothen-out the effect of levodopa, and can help in relieving “Predictable wearing OFF” to some degree. But, other stratergies such as entacapone, long-acting medications etc are much more useful for this purpose.
    3. Rarely, it can be given as the only medication for Parkinson’s disease. But when used by itself, its effectiveness is limited.

Disadvantages:

  1. Most people don’t have any side-effects from Amantadine. Some people can have mild swelling or slight purplish discolouration of the feet.
  2. Since it is an anti-viral, it can decrease the effectiveness of some viral vaccines. If a live viral vaccine (e.g. Hepatitis B vaccine) needs to be given, Amantaide should be stopped 2 weeks prior and 2 days after the vaccine is administered.
    Amantadine can decrease the effectiveness of some vaccines.
    Amantadine can decrease the effectiveness of some vaccines.

Bottom-line:

It is used to control troublesome dance-like movements caused by high doses of levodopa. Although it is only modestly effective by itself, it is extremely good at smoothing out the rough edges of our superstar (levodopa), hence the sorbiquet – The lawyer of levodopa.

 

Caution: This information is not a substitute for professional care. Do not change your medications/treatment without your doctor's permission.
Dr. Siddharth Kharkar

Dr. Siddharth Kharkar

Dr. Siddharth Kharkar has been recognized as one of the best neurologists in Mumbai by Outlook India magazine and India today Magazine. He is a board certified (American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology certified) Neurologist.

Dr. Siddharth Kharkar is a Epilepsy specialist in Mumbai & Parkinson's specialist in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.

He has trained in the best institutions in India, US and UK including KEM hospital in Mumbai, Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, University of California at San Francisco (UCSF), USA & Kings College in London.

Call 022-4897-1800

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NeuroPlus Epilepsy & Parkinson's Clinic - Dr. Kharkar IconNeuroPlus Epilepsy & Parkinson's Clinic - Dr. Kharkar

near LIC, Dr Balabhai Nanavati hospital, near LIC, Swami Vivekananda Road, LIC Colony, Vile Parle

4.6 87 reviews

  • Avatar Paras Prabhu ★★★★★ 6 months ago
    Out patient is epileptic from about 10 years and her seizure gotten worse during the past year with the frequency of about 3-4 times a week.So we consulted … More Dr. Kharkar. He tried a few medicines, and within 1.5-2 months now the patient is feeling very well now. There are no seizures for 14 days currently.Dr. tried to keep medicines as minimum as possible. He also tried to keep the cost of the treatment minimum.When some of the medicines started showing side-effects, he was quick to switch the medicines to the better options.Overall I think we are getting a best of the available treatments. We thank you very much Dr. Kharkar.
  • Avatar Dr Shobha Sankhe ★★★★★ a month ago
    Dr Kharkar is gem of a doctor with tremendous patience, empathy, genuine concern for his patients .He guides them very methodically & scientifically … More for their neurological ill healthOur epilepsy patient is extremely happy with his treatment , Patient feels better by just visiting him too!May his selfless service to humanity flourish to reach all the needy patients!!
  • Avatar shrruti khanna ★★★★★ a month ago
    I consulted Dr Sidharth for my sister who has become very hyper and aggressive and we could not understand the issue. Keeping in mind she is someone with … More special needs Dr Sidharth was extremely understanding of the situation and did not put her through unnecessary investigation and avoided a very long stay at the hospital. He was infact more keen on her returning home to her natural environment. We highly appreciate Dr Sidharth for his effort and for looking into the matter with utmost care. It was a very difficult decision for my family to get my sister admitted but we are glad we did it under his care.Thankyou Doc.
  • Avatar Prashant Purohit ★★★★★ a month ago
    my name is prashant purohit. I m become completely bed ridden from last 9 months and was unable to walk. I couldnt find out the cause even after visiting … More many doctors and many hospital in Ahmedabad nd jodhpur.started losing hope. A good friend of mine suggested to visit a neurologist. After searching a lot, I came to know about Dr. Siddharth Kharkar and took his appointment in Nanavati Hospital. He examined and said that he suffered from \u201cPKD(PAROXYSMAL KNESIGENIC DYSKNESIA\u201c. He assured us to reverse this in 5 days time. And indeed this happened. I started recovering miraculously. today I am fully well fit I m walking as normal . Many Many thanks to Dr. Siddharth Kharkhar sir for giving me a new life.
  • Avatar Sanjay Pradhan ★★★★★ 7 months ago
    Dr. Kharkar is truly exceptional. He is extremely knowledgeable. But simultaneously, he is extremely patient and kind - taking the time and care to respond … More to all the questions. It is rare to come across a doctor who is not in a hurry to get on to the next patient, but instead, focuses on the one in front with full attention, expertise and compassion. A great experience.
  • Avatar N N ★★★★★ a year ago
    We visited Dr. Kharkhar for treatment regarding my mum - who is a multi-stroke patient and has aphasia. Certain medications were creating complications … More with her condition and Dr. Kharkhar was able to help mitigate the issue. We found him and his approach to be incredibly compassionate, considerate, individualized and patient-friendly. He advice is astute, up-to-date and empathetic. His treatment always comes from a deeply human place and is about seeing how to help the patient and their caregivers feel more at ease. Something that is quite rare and refreshing within the medical community.We feel that he genuinely cares about the patients that he is treating and is always kind and respectful in his communication. Moreover, his admin team is very efficient and prompt and it's a pleasure to deal with them.Would highly recommend Dr Kharkhar himself - though we must say our experience with Nanavati hospital itself has been less than ideal.Hope this helps.
  • Avatar Manish Ranjan ★★★★★ a year ago
    I have been visiting Dr Kharkar for treatment of my father. He is a very friendly doctor. He listens to our concerns with lot of patience. He also explains … More the issue in much greater details. He has really been of great help. My father is much better now.
  • Avatar Pinakin Shah ★★★★★ a year ago
    One of the best Dr. Gives complete attention and time to listen to patient's history, issues. Explains various options of treatment with pros and … More cons.
  • Avatar Lawrence Castellino ★★★★★ a year ago
    Exceptional experience with an expert,Dr. Kharkar is a knowledge house. It is rare nowadays to find doctors with patience, knowledge, and a flair for … More handling patient’s questions, besides Dr. Kharkar’s bedside manners are exemplary. I am privileged to be treated by such an amazing soul. I have told him and will repeat it here that “I am advancing my move back to India although I am a US Citizen, because I know I am in good hands and will be well taken care of. Thanks Dr. Kharkar for your selfless service!
  • Avatar Hemant Kansara ★★★★★ a year ago
    Great doctor!! Really appreciate.The doctor diagnosed to my sister correctly and start treatment, she has good improvement after taking medicine prescribed … More by doctor as no epilepsy attake. We have good experience with the doctor. Thank you

3 thoughts on “Amantadine Side Effects, Amantadine for Treating Parkinson’s Disease – drkharkar”

  1. this is a very interesting dispatch, acknowledgement you for the benefit of the information. Contrite my english is not the sheer best. do you be versed if it is tenable to despatch this to the spanish language. that would be quite helpfull.

    Reply
  2. My husband Colonel Suresh Babu, is a retired army officer aged 78 yrs. 3yrs ago he was fit and was a regular with Yoga. Today he is suffering from PSP, and it is sad to see his condition deteriorate so drastically that today he can’t take a step without falling. How can you help us out Doctor?

    Reply
    • Hello Ms. Pushpa,
      Yes, I agree that PSP can be a difficult disease to bear. Balance training can help with balance, and mechanical walking aids such as a walker can also be helpful. One problem with using a walker is that patients with PSP tend to fall backwards, rather than forwards. This can make using a walker difficult. As listed in another article, I hope he is being adequately treated for PSP with levodopa, amantadine and possibly some of the other medications listed here: https://drkharkar.com/miracle-cure-for-psp-treatment/
      I wish you the best,
      Dr. Siddharth Kharkar

      Reply

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Noted as one of the best Neurologists in Mumbai

India Today Magazine - 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023

Outlook India Magazine - 2021, 2023

Ex-Assistant Professor, University of Alabama, USA

Outlook India - Best neurologist in Mumbai