Amantadine in the Treatment of Parkinson's Disease

Abstract

Sixty-six percent of a group of 163 patients with Parkinson's disease exhibited subjective or objective improvement of their akinesia, rigidity, and tremor while receiving amantadine hydrochloride. Of those showing improvement, benefits were sustained in 58% for a period of three to eight months. The maximum daily dose was 200 mg. Side effects occurred in 22% and consisted of increased jitteriness, insomnia, abdominal uneasiness, dizziness, depression, confusion, and, in a few cases, hallucinations. Convulsions have been reported with large doses of 800 mg per day. In most cases, side effects were controlled by adjustment of dosage of [ill] hydrochloride or the patient's concomitant medication.