Amantadine hydrochloride 100mg capsules (Symmetrel)

• Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
• If you have any further questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
• This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Do not pass it on to others. It may harm them, even if their signs of illness are the same as yours.
• If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. See section 4.

1. What Amantadine hydrochloride 100 mg capsules are and what they are used for
2. What you need to know before you take Amantadine hydrochloride 100mg capsules
3. How to take Amantadine hydrochloride 100 mg capsules
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store Amantadine hydrochloride 100 mg capsules
6. Contents of the pack and other information

• if you are allergic to amantadine hydrochloride or any of the ingredients of Amantadine hydrochloride 100mg capsules (listed in Section 6)
• if you suffer from fits (convulsions), for example epilepsy
• if you have ever had an ulcer in your stomach or small intestine
• if you suffer from any serious kidney disease
• if you are pregnant or trying to become pregnant (see Section 2 Pregnancy and breast-feeding)
• if you are breast-feeding (see Section 2 Pregnancy and breast-feeding).

If any of the above applies to you, or if you are not sure, speak to your doctor or pharmacist before you take Amantadine hydrochloride 100mg capsules.

Talk to your doctor before you take Amantadine hydrochloride 100mg capsules if:

• you suffer from any liver or kidney disease
• you have a history of disease involving the heart and blood vessels
• you are currently suffering from heart problems or heart failure (heart problems which cause shortness of breath or ankle swelling)
• you have any mental illness for example, schizophrenia or dementia
• you have increased pressure in the eyes (glaucoma)

If any of the above applies to you, or if you are not sure, speak to your doctor or pharmacist before you take Amantadine hydrochloride 100mg capsules.

Tell your doctor if you or your family/carer notices that you are developing urges or cravings to behave in ways that are unusual for you and you cannot resist the impulse, drive or temptation to carry out certain activities that could harm yourself or others. These are called impulse control disorders and can include behaviours such as addictive gambling, excessive eating or spending, an abnormally high sex drive or an increase in sexual thoughts or feelings.

Your doctor may need to adjust or stop your dose of Amantadine hydrochloride.

If blurred vision or other visual problems occur please contact an eye doctor immediately.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken, or might take any of the following medicines as they may interfere with Amantadine hydrochloride 100mg capsules:

• anti-cholinergics - (used to treat Parkinson’s disease) such as procyclidine
• anti-spasmodics - (used to treat stomach spasms or cramps) such as hyoscine
• levodopa - used to treat Parkinson’s disease
• anti-psychotics - (used to improve thoughts, feelings and behaviour when these are disturbed in certain medical conditions) such as chlorpromazine, haloperidol
• diuretics (water tablets) - (used to relieve water retention and reduce high blood pressure) such as hydrochlorothiazide, amiloride or triamterene.

Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription.

Be careful when drinking alcohol whilst taking Amantadine hydrochloride 100mg capsules, it may affect you more than usual.

Amantadine hydrochloride 100mg capsules should be taken with a glass of water.

Do not take Amantadine hydrochloride 100mg capsules if you are pregnant or trying to become pregnant.

Do not take Amantadine hydrochloride 100mg capsules if you are breast-feeding because amantadine passes into breast milk and could harm your baby.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking any medicine.

Taking Amantadine hydrochloride 100mg capsules may make your vision blurred or make you feel dizzy. If you are affected you should not drive or use machines until the effect has worn off.

If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicine.

Adults: 1 capsule (100 mg) a day for the first week. Your doctor will increase this to 2 capsules a day (200 mg). Higher doses, up to 4 capsules (400 mg) a day may be given in some cases.

Adults over 65 years: 1 capsule (100 mg) once a day.

The dose is 2 capsules (200 mg) a day for 14 days. If your pain continues your doctor may give you another 14 days treatment.

If you have kidney problems, your doctor may give you a lower dose.

If you accidentally take too many capsules, or someone else takes any of your medicine, you should tell your doctor at once or contact the nearest accident and emergency department. Show any left-over medicines or the empty packet to the doctor.

Do not worry. If you miss a dose, take another as soon as you remember, unless it is almost time for your next dose. Then go on as before. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.

Do not stop taking Amantadine hydrochloride 100mg capsules suddenly as your symptoms may get worse.

If you want to stop taking Amantadine hydrochloride 100mg capsules ask your doctor who will tell you how to reduce the dose gradually.

If you are taking anti-psychotics (used to treat mental disturbances) and you suddenly stop taking Amantadine hydrochloride 100mg capsules, you may develop a collection of symptoms including:

• fever
• sweating
• a rapid heart beat
• muscle stiffness (difficulty in movement)
• loss of bladder control (you may have a sudden urge to pass water)

If you develop any of these symptoms you should contact your doctor immediately.

Some patients may notice that this medicine loses its effect after they have taken it regularly for a few months. If you notice this, tell your doctor.

If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme (Website: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard) or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store. By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

The active substance in this medicine is amantadine hydrochloride.

Each capsule contains 100 mg amantadine hydrochloride. The other ingredients are:

• lactose, povidone, magnesium stearate, red iron oxide (E172), titanium dioxide (E171), gelatin and monogramming ink S-1-7085 white containing: titanium dioxide (E171), ammonium hydroxide 28%, propylene glycol (E1520), simethicone or SB-0007P white ink containing: shellac, propylene glycol, sodium hydroxide, povidone, titanium dioxide (E171).

Amantadine hydrochloride 100mg capsules are brownish-red, hard gelatine capsules with SYMM printed on them in white. Amantadine hydrochloride 100mg capsules come in boxes of 56 capsules. Not all pack sizes may be marketed.

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