Hi there,
Yesterday, my doctor prescribed a daily dose of 50mg for 2 weeks to be increased to 100mg for another 2 weeks.
I was wondering if anyone in the group had any experience with this drug.
I am Azlena or Ena for short from Malaysia. My ataxia was diagnosed 3 years ago.Thank you & kind regards.
Dear Ena, What is Amantadine suppose to do for ataxia? ;o)
Amantaine is a Parkinsons drug used to control tremors, but has a few other uses. It is a go to for most neurologists that don't do ataxia. It did nothing for me.
One of the uses for Amantadine is for fatigue. When I was on it for this I found it very effective. I stopped it as my fatigue had improved to the point that a sleep in the day helped just as much and I was very aware that the effectiveness of Amantadine can wear off over time.
For a few days when I started it I did notice that my balance was much worse than usual, but this soon improved again. Incidentally, I did also notice that my tremors were better.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24868404
It is uses in the treatment of Friedrich Ataxia also with some success in slowing progression… Maybe it could help SCA and other kinds of Ataxia. It is apparently a safe medicine.
With a rare disease, it is always hit or miss… Trials and errors…
It is sure worth a try. I am starting on it on Monday. And it is also a go to drug for very accomplished Neurologist s who only treat ataxia.These uses are what is called off label. Not original purpose for the drug. Actually it was used as a flu drug originally
My husband has been on amantadine for over a year. I notice a huge difference in him if he doesn’t take it. It really seems to help him with his spasms. Good luck on it.
rose said:
Dear Ena, What is Amantadine suppose to do for ataxia? ;o)
Dear Rose,it's supposed to act as a blocker to reduce the uncontrollable shaking of my head; it's slight but obvious at times.
rose said:
Dear Ena, What is Amantadine suppose to do for ataxia? ;o)
Jonas Cepkauskas said:
Amantaine is a Parkinsons drug used to control tremors, but has a few other uses. It is a go to for most neurologists that don't do ataxia. It did nothing for me.
Dear Jonas, thank you for your reply. Sorry to hear that it didn't help you. Giving it a try ... nothing to lose.
Misti McVicker said:
My husband has been on amantadine for over a year. I notice a huge difference in him if he doesn't take it. It really seems to help him with his spasms. Good luck on it.Dear Misti, thank you for the ray of hope. I pray it will work for me too. Take care.
Poppy said:
One of the uses for Amantadine is for fatigue. When I was on it for this I found it very effective. I stopped it as my fatigue had improved to the point that a sleep in the day helped just as much and I was very aware that the effectiveness of Amantadine can wear off over time.
For a few days when I started it I did notice that my balance was much worse than usual, but this soon improved again. Incidentally, I did also notice that my tremors were better.
Dear Poppy, thank you. I am noticing the same thing ... my balance and tremor are worse than usual, hopefully they will soon improve again. Something to look forward to.
Cicina said:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24868404
It is uses in the treatment of Friedrich Ataxia also with some success in slowing progression... Maybe it could help SCA and other kinds of Ataxia. It is apparently a safe medicine.
With a rare disease, it is always hit or miss... Trials and errors....Dear Cicina, thank you for your encouraging yet pragmatic words. The link too was helpful.
wilbur said:
It is sure worth a try. I am starting on it on Monday. And it is also a go to drug for very accomplished Neurologist s who only treat ataxia.These uses are what is called off label. Not original purpose for the drug. Actually it was used as a flu drug originally.Dear Wilbur, Hearing some encouraging feedback from our community. Yes, worth a try and happy to hear that you are starting on Monday. Good luck.
Starting it on Wed to control tremors..
Marie Turner said:
Starting it on Wed to control tremors..
Dear Marie, thanks and good luck. Perhaps you can let us know how it turns out for you?