Good day Joyce-you asked:
>>> Mail Joyce44 <[log in to unmask]> 11/17/97
09:48pm >>>
>>>Does anyone else take SYMMETREL (AMANTADINE
HCI) 100MG. and if so what symptom is it supposed to
relieve?<<<
Amantadine is an antiviral medication, used to fight the flu
virus. It was discovered to have a beneficial effect on the
symptoms of PD, but researchers cannot say why. It is
most effective in reversing rigidity and brady kinesia, less
effective with tremor.
The reported side effects, dry mouth and constipation,
track those of the anticholinergic drugs (Cogentin, Artane).
Care should be taken in using these two types of med
therapy together.
It is usually prescribed in doses of 100mg twice a day. It
is considered a "short-term" therapy, in that its usefulness
has been observed to wane after 12-15 months. Some
patients have reported that after several months of
Amantadine they notice purple mottling of the skin in their
legs and ankles and swelling (edema). This is caused by the
pooling of blood in the veins. This effect will reverse itself
after treatment is stopped.
Good luck. Stephan 53/7
