Antiparkinsonism drugs amantadine

Amantadine is less effective than levodopa in the treatment of Fhrkinson s disease but more effective than die anticholinergics. Amantadine may be given alone or in combination witii an antiparkinsonism drug witii anticholinergic activity. Amantadine is also used as an antiviral drug (see Chap. 14). 

Parkinson s disease 100 mg twice/day when used alone. Onset of action is usually within 48 h. Initial dose is 100 mg/day for patients with serious associated medical illnesses or those receiving high doses of other antiparkinson drugs. After one to several weeks at 100 mg once/day, increase to 100 mg twice/day, if necessary. Patients whose responses are not optimal at 200 mg/day may occasionally benefit from an increase up to 400 mg/day in divided doses supervise closely. Patients initially benefiting from amantadine often experience decreased efficacy after a few months. Benefit may be regained by increasing to 300 mg/day, or by temporary discontinuation for several weeks. Other antiparkinson drugs may be necessary. 

Amantadine Symadine, Symmetrel Prevention and treatment of influenza A infections (also used as an antiparkinsonism drug see Chapter 10]... 

McEvoy, J. (1987). A double-blind crossover comparison of antiparkinsonism drug therapy Amantadine versus anticholinergics in 90 normal volunteers, with an emphasis on differential effects on memory function. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 48, 20-23. 

CENTRALLY ACTING ANTIHYPERTENSIVES ANTIPARKINSON S DRUGS -AMANTADINE 1 efficacy of amantadine with methyldopa Antagonism of antiparkinsonian effect these drugs have extrapyramidal side-effects Use with caution avoid in patients aged under 20 years... 

MEMANTINE ANTIPARKINSON S DRUGS- AMANTADINE t CNS side-effects Additive effects on NMDA receptors Manufacturers recommend avoiding co-administration of amantadine and memantine... 

NERVOUS SYSTEM DRUGS ANTIPARKINSON S DRUGS Amantadine... 

ANTIMUSCARINICS ANTIPARKINSON S -AMANTADINE t risk of antimuscarinic side-effects Additive effect both drugs cause antimuscarinic side-effects Warn patients of this additive effect... 

TETRABENAZINE ANTI PARKINSON S DRUGS-AMANTADINE 1 antiparkinson s efficacy of amantadine Tetrabenazine may cause extrapyramidal symptoms Use with caution avoid in patients <20 years... 

Accepted therapies include the administration of dantrolene to reduce muscle rigidity, and antiparkinson drugs such as bromocriptine and amantadine to mediate extrapyramidal symptoms. Supportive therapy is also instituted. Withdrawal of the neuroleptic drug is mandatory. 

The antiParkinson actions of the antiviral drug, amantadine (Symmetrel, 51), were discovered when a Parkinsonian patient receiving it for influenza... 

AMANTADINE 1. ANTIMALARIALS- quinine 2. ANTIPARKINSON S DRUGS -pramipexole t side-effects 1 renal excretion Monitor closely for confusion, disorientation, headache, dizziness and nausea... 

AMANTADINE is used to treat Parkinson s disease as well as having antiviral activity. It has been included in the antiparkinson s drugs section ... 

The use of dopaminergic agents in combination with antimuscarinic drugs is common in the treatment of parkinsonism. Bromocriptine does not complicate treatment with antimuscarinic drugs or amantadine. If combined with levodopa, bromocriptine should be used in reduced doses to avoid intolerable adverse effects. Confusion, delusions, and hallucinations occur more frequently with bromocriptine than with levodopa. Bromocriptine does not require bioactivation for its antiparkinson effects. The answer is (C). 

When a potential antiParkinson agent is indicated by the initial screen it is normally subjected to further evaluation in larger animals, although several modem drugs such as apomorphine and amantadine were already in clinical use for other purposes and their antiParkinson effects were a fortuitous bonus. Parkinsonian symptoms, particularly tremor, can be evoked in... 

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