Remantadin

Drug name: Remantadin

Other names used:

• Flumadine®

Active Ingredients: rimantadine

Therapeutic actions: Rimantadine is an antiviral agent. How Rimantadine works is not known. It may block reproduction of the virus.

Indications: Remantadin is used to preven and treat certain types of flu in adults. It is also used to prevent certain types of flu in children.

Contraindications and cautions:
You should not use Remantadin if :

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Rimantadine or to any adamantane medicine (eg, amantadine)

You should talk with your healthcare provider prior to taking this medication :

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have a history of liver or kidney problems or seizures
• if you will be receiving a live nasal flu vaccine, or have received one within the past 14 day

Important safety information.

• Rimantadine may cause dizziness or drowsiness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Rimantadine with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
• Rimantadine only works against certain types of the flu; it does not treat other viral infections (eg, the common cold).
• Be sure to use Rimantadine for the full course of treatment. If you do not, the medicine may not work as well. The virus could also become less sensitive to this or other medicines. This could make the infection harder to treat in the future.
• Check with your doctor if you will be receiving a live nasal flu vaccine or have received one within the past 14 days. You should usually not start taking Rimantadine until 2 weeks after you receive a live nasal flu vaccine. You should usually not receive a live nasal flu vaccine within 48 hours after you stop taking Rimantadine .
• Use Rimantadine with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects. These include dizziness, headache, anxiety, weakness, tiredness, nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain.
• Rimantadine should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN younger than 1 year of age; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.
• If you are taking Rimantadine to treat the flu, start taking it as soon as possible. It works best if you begin taking it within 48 hours after you start having flu symptoms.
• Take Rimantadine for the full course of treatment. Do not miss any doses.

Adverse effects: Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

• Dizziness; dry mouth; headache; loss of appetite; nausea; nervousness; stomach pain; tiredness; trouble sleeping; vomiting; weakness.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

• Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); confusion; depression; fast or irregular heartbeat; hallucinations; seizures; swelling of the hands, ankles, or feet; tremor; trouble walking.

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer.
For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Interactions: It is important to tell your doctor or pharmacist what medicines you are already taking, including those bought without a prescription and herbal medicines, before you start treatment with this medicine. Similarly, check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any new medicines while taking this one, to ensure that the combination is safe.
Especially pay attention to the following drugs:

• Acetaminophen or aspirin because they may decrease the amount of Rimantadine in your blood
• Cimetidine because it may increase the risk of Rimantadine 's side effects

Additional Information: DO NOT SHARE THIS MEDICINE with others. DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE for other health conditions. KEEP THIS PRODUCT, as well as syringes and needles, if needed during treatment, out of the reach of children. Do not reuse needles, syringes, or other materials.