Introduction

Name

• Amantadine. 

Class of drug

• N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-receptor antagonist. 
• Analgesic. 
• Antiviral. 
• Dopaminergic.

Description

Chemical name

• Adamantan-1-amine. 

Molecular formula

• C₁₀H₁₇N

Molecular weight

• 151.25 

Physical properties

• White, bitter-tasting crystalline powder.

Storage requirements

• Tablets, capsules, and oral solution should be stored in tight light-resistant containers at room temperature 20°C-25°C. 

Uses

Indications

• Adjunctive analgesia in the management of chronic pain Pain Pain: management, including osteoarthritis pain Arthritis: osteoarthritis. 
• Adjunctive analgesia Analgesia: overview in animals unresponsive to opioids. 
• Amantadine is not a particularly good analgesic on its own, but in combination with other analgesics (eg opioids, NSAIDs), it is thought to help alleviate chronic pain.

Administration

Pharmacokinetics

Precautions

Interactions

With other drugs

• Amantadine has anticholinergic effects and so it might enhance the anticholinergic effects of other drugs, including atropine Atropine, glycopyrrolate Glycopyrronium, oxybutynin, antihistamines, acepromazine Acepromazine maleate, tricyclic antidepressants drugs (eg amitriptyline, clomipramine). 
• Acetazolamide Acetazolamide may increase concentrations of amantadine. 
• Drugs that alter renal tubular secretion (eg quinidine Quinidine, quinine, thiazide diuretics) may affect the excretion of amantadine. 
• Concomitant use with tramadol Tramadol might increase the risk of seizures. 
• Amantadine may potentiate the effects of ketamine Ketamine (also an NMDA-receptor blocker). 

Adverse Reactions

Further Reading

Publications

Refereed Papers

• Recent references from PubMed and VetMedResource.
• Shipley H, Flynn K, Tucker L et al (2021) Owner evaluation of quality of life and mobility in osteoarthritic cats treated with amantadine or placebo. J Feline Med Surg 23 (6), 568-574 PubMed. 
• Norkus C, Rankin D, Warner M, KuKanich B (2015) Pharmacokinetics of oral amantadine in greyhound dogs. J Vet Pharmacol Ther 38(3), 305-308 PubMed.  
• Madden M, Gurney M, Bright S (2014) Amantadine, an N-Methyl-D-Aspartate antagonist, for treatment of chronic neuropathic pain in a dog. Vet Anaesth Analg 41(4), 440-441 PubMed. 
• KuKanich B (2013) Outpatient oral analgesics in dogs and cats beyond nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs: an evidence-based approach. Vet Clin Small Anim 43, 1109-1125 PubMed. 
• Siao K T, Pypendop B H, Stanley S D, Ilkiw J E (2011) Pharmacokinetics of amantadine in cats. J Vet Pharmacol Ther 34(6), 599-604 PubMed. 
• Bleidner W E, Harmon J B, Hewes W E, Lynes T E, Hermann E C (1965) Absorption, distribution and excretion of amantadine hydrochloride. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 150(3), 484-490 PubMed. 

Other sources of information

• Veterinary Prescriber Amantadine in the management of chronic pain in dogs and cats. March 2018. www.veterinaryprescriber.org.