Parkinson's Disease - Surgery

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Amantadine

Amantadine (Symadine, Symmetrel) stimulates the release of dopamine and may be used for patients with early mild symptoms. It has some benefit against muscle rigidity and slowness and may help some patients in advanced stages who are unresponsive to other drugs. It is less powerful than levodopa and may lose its effectiveness after 6 months. It may also reduce motor fluctuations brought on by levodopa, however, and these benefits appear to persist for at least a year. Large, well-conducted studies are still needed to determine its true benefits and safety.

Side Effects. Side effects are similar to those of anticholinergic drugs and may include swollen ankles and mottled skin. Amantadine can also cause visual hallucinations. Overdose can cause serious and even life-threatening toxicity. Patients with Parkinson's should not withdraw from this drug abruptly. In rare instances, it can cause acute delirium or a life-threatening condition called neuroleptic malignant syndrome.

Review Date: 06/18/2010
Reviewed By: Harvey Simon, MD, Editor-in-Chief, Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).

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