Generic Symmetrel i.e. Amantadine is an antiviral medication. It blocks the actions of viruses in your body. Amantadine is used to treat and to prevent influenza A i.e. a viral infection. There may be some flu seasons during which Amantadine is not recommended because certain flu strains may be resistant to this drug. Amantadine is also used to treat Parkinsons disease and ‘Parkinson-like’ symptoms such as stiffness and shaking that may be caused by the use of certain drugs.

However, before taking Amantadine i.e. Symmetrel medication, ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer’s information for the patient and read it carefully. Talk to your doctor about all the possible risks of taking Symmetrel medication. However, Symmetrel may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide. Hence, for more information, consult your doctor and your medical pharmacist.

Follow the directions given by the doctor exactly for the usage of the Symmetrel i.e. Amantadine medication and also read the prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand.

Swallow the capsule whole with a glass of water. Maybe taken with or without food.

The most frequent side effects associated with amantadine include dizziness loss of coordination inability to sleep and nervousness nausea and vomiting. All of these side effects have been reported to occur in about 1 in 20 persons. Effects can appear after a few hours or several days of therapy. Less common side effects include headache irritability nightmares depression confusion drowsiness and hallucinations weakness amnesia slurred speech diarrhea constipation and loss of appetite and discolorations in the eye.

If you notice any of the symptoms, which seem severe or persistent to you, please contact your doctor immediately. However, your doctor may need to monitor you carefully for side effects and alter the doses if necessary.

The most common side effects seen are: Anxiety, Depression, Swelling of the Hands/Legs/Feet, Breathing Difficulties, Sleeping Difficulties, Vision Problems
Rashes etc.

And if you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:
fast/irregular/pounding heartbeats, eye pain, unusual or uncontrolled movements of the mouth, tongue, face, head, neck, arms, and legs, back and neck muscle spasms, difficulty in walking, especially starting to walk, increased shaking of the hands etc.

Inform your doctor if you experience any of these side effects or some new side effects occur which appear too bothersome to you.

In case of overdose call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222.
If the suffering patient has collapsed or is not breathing call local emergency services at 911. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly.

Do not allow any other person to use your medication without getting doctor’s prescription themselves and also avoid using this medicine for other health conditions on your own. Keep the medicine away from the children and pets.

Also inform your doctor, if you are pregnant or are breast feeding. If you conceive during the course, inform your doctor immediately. Do not share your medicines with anyone, even if they have the same symptoms, for it may harm them. Do not begin, increase, decrease, or stop using this medicine on your own. In short discuss your complete medical history with your doctor, before taking the medicine.

Remember, it is very important to keep regular appointments with your doctor to study the way your body is responding to the course. And if you are going to have a surgery, tell your health care professional that you are using Symmetrel medication.

Carry with you at all times an ID card mentioning your name, the medicine you are taking, the dosage, the name of the person and your health care professional they should call in case of an emergency. Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory and keep regular checks ups.

Also avoid alcohol and alcohol containing beverages whilst on a course with this medication.

And in case, if you wish to use the medicine in children, please contact your pediatrician for sure before its use.

If you missed the Symmetrel i.e. Amantadine medication dose, do take the medicine immediately provided that there is ample of time in between the next dose. However, if it is almost time for the next dose skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Never double your doses to cope up with the missed. And in case, if you miss your one or two consecutive doses consult to your doctor or physician for guidance and continue further.

It is used in treating flu like and influenza i.e. Type A infections and also for Parkinson’s disease.

However, it may also be used to treat some other medical conditions which may be determined by your doctor accordingly and consult a pediatrician for the use of this medication in children.

The generic Symmetrel i.e. Amantadine medication may be prescribed for other uses also and hence ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information about the Symmetrel i.e. Amantadine medication.

Store generic Symmetrel i.e. Amantadine, at room temperature in between 15-30°C and 59-86°F, in a cool and dry place. Keep the medicine in the container, it came in and always keep it tightly closed. Check Expiry date without fail. Keep all medicines away from women, newborns, children and pets. Do not freeze in any case. Also, keep it away from heat, dampness and direct light. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down. When the medicine is not in use or outdated it should be discarded. Take help of your pharmacist in disposing this medicine properly. In any case, do not store the Symmetrel medication in the bathroom.

Following precautions must be taken during consuming generic Symmetrel i.e. Amantadine:

1. Inform your doctor if you have or have ever had: lung disease, liver disease, heart disease, diabetes, low or high blood pressure, asthma, heart attack, anemia/blood disorder, bleeding in the brain, head injury/recent stroke, epilepsy, seizures, convulsions, mental illness, skin rashes, kidney disease, serious injury/infection or any other severe disease etc. Also inform, if you drink alcoholic beverages or are a tobacco smoker etc.

2. Also acknowledge your doctor if you need to undergo any kind of surgery, including dental surgery or need an x-ray procedure that uses contrast agents. So, inform your doctors immediately about it, so that the doctor can decide whether to continue taking Symmetrel medication or stop it during the surgery.

3. Let the doctor also know, if you are in-taking or are planning to take any prescribed or non prescribed medicines, health supplements or any other OTC medications, vitamins etc.

4. Do not use the Symmetrel i.e. Amantadine medication, if you have any kind of allergy to it or to any ingredients of it and tell your doctor or pharmacist about the allergy and get treated accordingly.

5. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breast feeding before taking Symmetrel medication. Hence also, inform your doctor immediately when you plan to conceive, or become pregnant during the course.

6. Do not share the drug with others unless they are prescribed by the doctor themselves. And if your symptoms of side effects do not improve in few weeks or if they become worse and bothersome, check these conditions immediately with your doctor.

7. Please, use the Symmetrel medicine in the prescribed amount and do not overdose it or use it for the longer period of time. Do not discontinue on your own and consult your doctor before doing so to avoid further problems.

8. Regularly, keep your appointments with your doctor and keep an eye on the progress or side effects that has been noticed during the complete course.

9. Also, avoid smoking and consuming alcohol and alcohol containing beverages during the complete course to achieve good results.

10. For more information, contact your doctor and your pharmacists and also discuss the risks and benefits of the generic Symmetrel.