# Amantadine **URL:** \ **Category:** General\ **Created:** [February 13, 2015, 5:21pm UTC](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/t/amantadine/2630 "2015-02-13T17:21:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ENA](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwithataxia.org/ena/32/1542_2.png) [@ENA](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/u/ENA)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2015, 5:21pm UTC](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/t/amantadine/2630/1 "2015-02-13T17:21:16Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![rose1](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwithataxia.org/rose1/32/736_2.png) [@rose1](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/u/rose1)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2015, 1:02am UTC](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/t/amantadine/2630/2 "2015-02-15T01:02:06Z")
Dear Ena, What is Amantadine suppose to do for ataxia? ;o) ---
**Author:** ![Jonas\_C](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwithataxia.org/jonas_c/32/109_2.png) [@Jonas\_C](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/u/Jonas_C)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2015, 1:03am UTC](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/t/amantadine/2630/3 "2015-02-15T01:03:40Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Poppy](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwithataxia.org/poppy/32/949_2.png) [@Poppy](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/u/Poppy)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2015, 1:18am UTC](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/t/amantadine/2630/4 "2015-02-15T01:18:13Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Cicina](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwithataxia.org/cicina/32/969_2.png) [@Cicina](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/u/Cicina)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2015, 1:41am UTC](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/t/amantadine/2630/5 "2015-02-15T01:41:11Z")
[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24868404](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… ---
**Author:** ![wilbur](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwithataxia.org/wilbur/32/1541_2.png) [@wilbur](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/u/wilbur)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2015, 2:31am UTC](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/t/amantadine/2630/6 "2015-02-15T02:31:52Z")
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 ---
**Author:** ![Misti\_McV](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwithataxia.org/misti_mcv/32/1589_2.png) [@Misti\_McV](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/u/Misti_McV)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2015, 5:13am UTC](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/t/amantadine/2630/7 "2015-02-15T05:13:43Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![ENA](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwithataxia.org/ena/32/1542_2.png) [@ENA](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/u/ENA)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2015, 7:31am UTC](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/t/amantadine/2630/8 "2015-02-15T07:31:14Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![ENA](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwithataxia.org/ena/32/1542_2.png) [@ENA](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/u/ENA)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2015, 7:33am UTC](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/t/amantadine/2630/9 "2015-02-15T07:33:10Z")
rose said: > Dear Ena, What is Amantadine suppose to do for ataxia? ;o) ---
**Author:** ![ENA](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwithataxia.org/ena/32/1542_2.png) [@ENA](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/u/ENA)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2015, 7:37am UTC](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/t/amantadine/2630/10 "2015-02-15T07:37:58Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![ENA](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwithataxia.org/ena/32/1542_2.png) [@ENA](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/u/ENA)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2015, 7:41am UTC](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/t/amantadine/2630/11 "2015-02-15T07:41:57Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![ENA](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwithataxia.org/ena/32/1542_2.png) [@ENA](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/u/ENA)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2015, 7:50am UTC](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/t/amantadine/2630/12 "2015-02-15T07:50:15Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![ENA](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwithataxia.org/ena/32/1542_2.png) [@ENA](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/u/ENA)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2015, 7:58am UTC](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/t/amantadine/2630/13 "2015-02-15T07:58:32Z")
Cicina said: > [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24868404](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. ---
**Author:** ![ENA](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwithataxia.org/ena/32/1542_2.png) [@ENA](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/u/ENA)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2015, 8:04am UTC](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/t/amantadine/2630/14 "2015-02-15T08:04:51Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Marie\_T1](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwithataxia.org/marie_t1/32/355_2.png) [@Marie\_T1](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/u/Marie_T1)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2015, 8:37pm UTC](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/t/amantadine/2630/15 "2015-02-16T20:37:53Z")
Starting it on Wed to control tremors.. ---
**Author:** ![ENA](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex027/user_avatar/forum.livingwithataxia.org/ena/32/1542_2.png) [@ENA](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/u/ENA)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2015, 2:32am UTC](https://forum.livingwithataxia.org/t/amantadine/2630/16 "2015-02-17T02:32:52Z")
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?