Amantix – action, indications, contraindications, dosage, side effects

Proven content

Amantix is ​​a dopaminergic drug. It is used to treat the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease that include mild tremor, stiffness, akinesia and hypokinesia. The active substance in Amantix is ​​amantadine. Importantly, this drug is only available on prescription. Before discharge, the doctor should conduct a thorough medical interview with the patient.

Amantix – action

Amantix is ​​a medicine used to treat the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. The active substance of the preparation is amantadine in the form of amantadine sulfate. Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disease and its symptoms are related to the degeneration of the nerve cells that produce dopamine. This substance is an endogenous neurotransmitter that activates dopamine receptors.

Disturbances in the work of these transmitters can be noticed in numerous neuropsychiatric disorders, the treatment of which consists in stimulating the activity of dopamine receptors with drugs. The active substance of Amantix it affects the release of dopamine into the synaptic cleft and stimulates dopaminergic transmission. At the same time, it blocks the activation of glutamate receptors, which are over-stimulated in various neurodegenerative processes in the brain. Moreover, amantadine blocks the activation of nicotinic receptors.

Orally administered Amantix is ​​completely absorbed from the digestive system. Peak plasma concentrations are reached 2 to 8 hours after taking the drug. Amantadine concentration stabilizes after about 4-7 days of using the drug. This substance is not metabolized, therefore our body excretes it unchanged in the urine. For this reason, in the event of renal dysfunction, it may occur accumulation of amantadine in the body and it is easy then for the appearance of undesirable effects.

Amantix – indications

Amantix is ​​recommended primarily:

1. when treating symptoms of Parkinson’s disease and parkinsonian syndromes such as stiffness, tremor, hypokinesia and akinesia;
2. to alleviate the extrapyramidal side effects of drugs from the group of neuroleptics or other drugs with a similar effect, such as early dyskinesia, parkinsonism or akathisia.

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Amantix – contraindications

Amantix, like all medicines, cannot be taken in all situations, even if there are indications for its use. First of all, the drug cannot be used when the patient is hypersensitive, i.e. allergic to any component of the drug. Moreover a contraindication to the use of Amantix is:

1. severe congestive heart failure;
2. cardiomyopathy or myocarditis;
3. second or third AV block;
4. bradycardia, which is less than 55 beats per minute;
5. prolonged QT interval on the ECG or discernible U waves;
6. severe ventricular arrhythmias;
7. taking medications that prolong the QT interval;
8. low levels of potassium or magnesium in the blood.

You should also remember not to use Amantix during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Amantix – precautions

It should be remembered that certain illnesses and other circumstances may indicate discontinuation of the drug or Amantix dosage changes. In certain situations, it may also be necessary to perform additional checkups. Particular care should be taken in the following situations:

1. angle-closure glaucoma;
2. prostatic hyperplasia;
3. renal failure, due to the risk of active substance accumulation;
4. confusion or over agitation;
5. both future and present delirium or psychosis;
6. the patient is taking memantine.

Caution when using Amantix should also be kept due to the risk of prolongation of the QT interval on the ECG and an increased risk of ventricular arrhythmias. In this case, the doctor may order an ECG test. It is worth doing the test:

1. before we start using Amantix;
2. after the 1st and 3rd week of using Amantix;
3. after each dose increase of Amantix;
4. 2 weeks after each increasing the dose of Amantix;
5. at least once a year during treatment.

Based on the length of the QT interval on the ECG, the doctor assesses the safety of starting or continuing treatment, or whether it should be stopped.

Patients at increased risk of electrolyte disturbances, i.e. the level of e.g. magnesium or potassium, should have regular check-ups of these parameters. This group includes mainly patients who take diuretics, take insulin on an ad hoc basis, suffer from kidney disease, but also struggle with vomiting and diarrhea. Caution should also be exercised in the case of people suffering from anorexia or in states of malnutrition.

People who develop heart palpitations, dizziness or even fainting should consult a doctor as soon as possible and the drug should be discontinued. The patient must be monitored for 24 hours, incl. QT interval, and based on this, the doctor decides whether to continue treatment.

People with a pacemaker must undergo a cardiac consultation before starting the drug. It is also not recommended the use of Amantix in treatment and prophylaxis of group A virus, as this virus acquires resistance to amantadine. This means that subsequent treatment of infections with amantadine is not possible.

Concomitant use of antipsychotics is not an indication for immediate treatment discontinuation of amantadine treatment. Discontinuation of these drugs should be gradual, as abrupt discontinuation of therapy may lead to the development of neuroleptic malignant syndrome, which may be life-threatening.

Kidney problems can lead to amantadine accumulation in the body and poisoning. Special care is also required in patients with brain damage and a tendency to seizures, as these may worsen after administration. People with cardiovascular diseases must be under constant medical supervision. Moreover side effects of Amantix may affect some of the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, such as drooling and depression.

While using the drug, visual disturbances and other ophthalmic problems may occur, which should be consulted with an ophthalmologist immediately. The doctor must check whether there has been any corneal swelling, which is an indication for discontinuation of the drug after consultation with the attending physician. Problems with urination should also be consulted. Amantix can also lead to impulse control or drive disorders. As a result, changes in behavior may occur. You should especially watch out for:

1. the development of gambling addiction;
2. increasing libido;
3. hypersexuality, that is, greater sexual drive;
4. excessive, compulsive spending of money;
5. other compulsive behaviors such as overeating.

These symptoms are an indication for consultation with a doctor who may reduce the dose or discontinue treatment with Amantix and initiate another therapy. We should also remember that Amantix contains lactose, so people with galactose intolerance, lactase deficiency or malabsorption of glucose-galactose should not reach for it. In addition, the yellow dye, i.e. orange yellow, can cause allergic reactions.

Amantix can also cause side effects, including dizziness, problems with concentration and vision. Therefore, they may adversely affect our ability to drive vehicles or machines. These side effects are especially severe at the beginning of treatment and while the patient is drinking alcohol at the same time therapy Amantixem.

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Amantix – dosage

Amantix is ​​in the form of film-coated tablets intended for oral use. It is very important not to exceed the recommended doses of the drug, as this will not increase its effectiveness and may be harmful. Any doubts related to the dosage of Amantix should be discussed with your doctor.

Before starting therapy, an ECG should be performed and the doctor’s instructions should be followed. In this way, we will minimize the risk of serious side effects. The dosage is as follows:

1. Adults – At the start of treatment, the dose should be 100 mg taken once a day for 4 to 7 days. Then the attending physician increases the dose by 100 mg with an interval of at least one week. This should be done slowly and gradually, as directed by your doctor. The maintenance dose is determined by your doctor, based on your response to the medicine. Most often it is 100-300 mg twice daily;
2. special groups of patients – these are the elderly, in states of agitation, confusion and with symptoms of delirium. In this case, the doctor starts treatment with lower doses. In addition, due to the risk of renal dysfunction, the risk of amantadine accumulation and intoxication of the body increases.

If you are taking other medications for Parkinson’s diseasestrictly follow your doctor’s instructions for both maintenance and dose increase. If the patient has worsening symptoms in the form of akinetic crisis, amantadine should be taken as a solution for infusion. Patients with renal impairment must adjust the dose to the value of creatinine clearance. The doctor must most often reduce the dose of Amantix.

Unfortunately, there are no data on the use of the drug in children and adolescents.

Amantix – application

Amantix should be taken orally with a little liquid. The drug should be taken preferably in the morning and afternoon, but not later than 16 pm. The duration of the therapy is determined by the doctor. If for any reason treatment with Amantix must be stopped, the dose should be reduced gradually, as directed by your doctor. Not recommended Suddenly stopping the use of Amantix.

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Amantix – pregnancy and breastfeeding

During pregnancy and breastfeeding, you should not take any medication without consulting your doctor to clarify any doubts, risks and the benefits of using Amantix. In addition, information about pregnancy or pregnancy planning should be provided to the doctor.

Amantix – interactions with other drugs

Amantix should not be used concurrently with drugs leading to prolongation of the QT interval in the ECG recording. These are:

1. class IA and III antiarrhythmics such as, for example, quinidine;
2. antihistamines such as, for example, astemizole;
3. antipsychotics, such as, for example, pimozide;
4. some antidepressants, such as amitriptyline;
5. some macrolide antibiotics such as clarithromycin;
6. some fluoroquinolones such as sparfloxacin;
7. azole antifungal drugs;
8. other drugs, such as bepridil, co-trimoxazole or cisapride.

If other medicines are used during the treatment of Parkinson’s disease, dose adjustments must be made to minimize the risk of side effects. Concomitant use of anticholinergic drugs may increase confusion, hallucinations, gastrointestinal disturbances, nightmares, and other side effects associated with the use of these drugs.

Moreover, sympathomimetics may potentiate the effects of amantadine on the central nervous system. Taking Amantix reduces alcohol tolerance, and may additionally increase the toxic effect on the central nervous system. The active substance may also increase the effect of levodopa. Conversely, psychotic symptoms may worsen in some patients concomitantly taking antipsychotics.

Also, amantadine should not be combined with memantine, a medicine for dementia, as it may worsen it side effects of amantadine. The drug, taken simultaneously with diuretics, can lead to increase in plasma amantadine levelswhich may make the side effects worse. Therefore, the combination of these drugs is not recommended.

Amantix – side effects

Amantix can cause side effects like any other drug, but they do not apply to every patient. In addition, the benefits of using a drug are most often greater than the possible risk of side effects.

Common side effects include dizziness, sleep problems, agitation, psychosis, hallucinations, urinary retention in patients with an enlarged prostate, reticular cyanosis, nausea, dry mouth and orthostatic hypertension.

In addition, blurred vision is not very common. Corneal damage occurs much less frequently, and seizures, myoclonus, symptoms of peripheral neuropathy, ventricular heart disorders, prolonged QT interval on the ECG record, temporary loss of vision, increased sensitivity to light, thrombocytopenia and leukopenia occur very rarely.

Some side effects may appear with an unknown frequency. These are impulse control disorders, such as addiction to gambling, high libido or compulsive shopping. Corneal swelling may also occur and this will disappear after the end of treatment.