Amantadine

General
1

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.

2

Dear Ena, What is Amantadine suppose to do for ataxia? ;o)

3

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.

4

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.

5

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…

6

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

7

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.

8



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.

9



rose said:

Dear Ena, What is Amantadine suppose to do for ataxia? ;o)

10



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.

11



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.
12



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.

13



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.
14



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.
15

Starting it on Wed to control tremors..

16



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?