Amantadine questions

[Zardoz]

For those who are taking amantadine or have taken this drug, a few questions...

I'm on carbidopa/levodopa, entacapone and amantadine (100 mg 3x/day).

Do you find it causes swelling in the feet, lower legs and hands? If you came off the drug, what was the upside and the downside?

How did you come off of it? I understand that you can't quit it abruptly.

Thanks for reponses

[Godiv]

Hi. I haven’t had problems with amantadine and swelling. However I’m on a pretty low dose like 100 mg I think. I’m holding back on increasing it because I think it makes me need to go to the bathroom. And the doctor doesn’t believe it.

But no swelling. I did get sausage leg when I was on Gocovri . Which is the same drug as amantadine, but extended. Also I saw somewhere that you get into trouble suddenly stopping amantadine if you’ve taken three weeks or more.

I just realized you said you’re already on it. So this isn’t too helpful I guess

[Boscoejean]

"Can amantadine cause swelling?

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"

medicalnewstoday.com/articl....

[Springbreak in reply to Boscoejean]

Hello . Yes I am on Amantandine and it has caused me Insomia and has not helped me with my stiffness and rigidity. Previously I was put together with Sinemat and was okay but started getting hallucinations Have a Dr’s appointment and let’s see what he says..

[Hikoi in reply to Springbreak]

Amantadine can cause hallucinations. I would rather decrease that than stopping sinemet which is levadopa and you inevitably cant do without.

[ParlePark]

yes, Amantadine causes swelling. At least for me.

it also caused me horrible insomnia and urinary retention. Watch out for possible side effects

[Springbreak in reply to ParlePark]

Thank you. That’s my plan, was feeling better when I was on sinemat, low dosage of 25/100

[jeffmayer]

Never had any issues but don't just stop it can problems

[Sharonkay]

yes, I take both as you do.

I find that "copper fit" compression socks with the blue band across the foot helps with the foot swelling. I leave them on at night as well. I started wearing a light compression sock to the knee to reduce the swelling in lower legs.

my cardiologist thought the foot swelling was due to cvc blood clot but test was negative.

Never thought swelling was due to medicine. Thank You

[jocelyng]

I took Amantadine and then Gocovri. It was fine for a few months and then I got the swelling, the “marbling” on my arms and legs and another side effect that I can’t recall. I switched to Artane and haven’t had any side effects. (I also take C/L.)

[Kingsdaughter1]

I experienced swelling of my ankles and feet within five days of taking Amantadine and had to discontinue its use. I guess since I had not been on it long, I was able to abruptly stop using it & not need to wean off.

[Nuthatcher]

I take Amantadine. My neurologist prescribed it for leg cramping that was keeping me awake at night. It is working very well and I have no side effects. I ran out of it for a couple days and the cramping was right back keeping me awake all night.

[Hikoi]

Yes Zardoz, swelling of legs is a known side effect. If it is only mild I would put up with it for the benefits. It can also cause a non harmful unsightly rash on the legs. I went down to two a day taken before 1pm (to stop insomnia. It is taken in MS to give energy.) When i tried to stop taking it recently I had an uncontrollable tremor. I couldnt stand it and went back on. It also lessens dyskenesia.

[Kevin51]

I get noticeable swelling of ankles and feet. I take 100mg of Amantadine daily and it does help with my symptoms - bradykinesia and tremor. I do exercises at bedtime ("ankle pumps") to help reduce the swelling. They work for me. I find this online physio helpful (but there are many others of course) youtu.be/RH03gA8vm-U?si=2-F...(Not working as expected?)

[Lyricist]

I agree with others. I take Amantadine 100mg x 1 per day as well as other things. It was introduced to deal with fatigue and loss of strength and it works. But I have swelling of the ankles (compression socks work), discolouration, insomnia and increased urge to pee. I’m happy with it and am coping with the side effects.

[kaypeeoh in reply to Lyricist]

I was on Amantadine for a while. Also on Simetidine. Seeing these posts it's likely that Amantadine was why I had to take the laces out to be able to fit into my shoes.