It is important to remember that doctors prescribe amantadine hydrochloride because its therapeutic benefits outweigh its potential side effects.
Common side effects may include lightheadedness, drowsiness, dry mouth, and lowered blood pressure.
Serious side effects are very rare but may include psychosis, renal impairment, and constipation. If you are experiencing any of these side effects, call your doctor right away.
Before starting treatment with amantadine, talk to your doctor about your health history and any medication you may be taking. Amantadine may not be prescribed for women who are breastfeeding, as it may be released into breast milk. Similarly, if you are taking another anticholinergic (anti-spasm) or neuroleptic (anti-psychosis) medication, your doctor may choose not to prescribe amantadine, as formulations of these drugs can cause toxicity in the blood.
This is not a complete list of side effects associated with amantadine. For more information on adverse effects you may experience while taking amantadine, please visit the National Institutes of Health’s DailyMed webpage.