Re: Does mold exposure causehypothalamic obesity(Amantadine)

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Amantadine

(a-man-ta-deen)

Description

Amantadine is an antiviral medication used to prevent or treat certain

influenza infections; it is also given as an adjunct for the treatment of

Parkinson's disease. It has been demonstrated that this medication, through some

unknown

mechanism, is sometimes effective in relieving fatigue in multiple sclerosis.

Proper Usage

The usual dosage for the management of fatigue in MS is 100 to 200 mg daily,

taken in the earlier part of the day in order to avoid sleep disturbance.

Doses in excess of 300 mg daily usually cause livedo reticularis, a blotchy

discoloration of the skin of the legs.

Precautions

The precautions listed here pertain to the use of this medication as an

antiviral or Parkinson's disease treatment. There are no reports at this time

concerning the precautions in the use of the drug to treat fatigue in multiple

sclerosis.

Drinking alcoholic beverages while taking this medication may cause increased

side effects such as circulation problems, dizziness, lightheadedness,

fainting, or confusion. Do not drink alcohol while taking this medication.

This medication may cause some people to become dizzy, confused, or

lightheaded, or to have blurred vision or trouble concentrating.

Amantadine may cause dryness of the mouth and throat. If your mouth continues

to feel dry for more than two weeks, check with your physician or dentist

since continuing dryness may increase the risk of dental disease.

This medication may cause purplish red, net-like, blotchy spots on the skin.

This problem occurs more often in females and usually occurs on the legs

and/or feet after amantadine has been taken regularly for a month or more. The

blotchy spots usually go away within two to twelve weeks after you stop taking

the

medication.

Studies of the effects of amantadine in pregnancy have not been done in

humans. Studies in some animals have shown that amantadine is harmful to the

fetus

and causes birth defects.

Amantadine passes into breast milk. However, the effect of amantadine in

newborn babies and infants is not known.

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Possible Side Effects

The side effects listed here pertain to the use of amantadine as an antiviral

or Parkinson's disease treatment. There are no reports at the present time of

the side effects associated with the use of this drug in the treatment of

MS-related fatigue.

Side effects that may go away as your body adjusts to the medication and do

not require medical attention unless they continue or are bothersome:

difficulty concentrating; dizziness; headache; irritability; loss of appetite;

nausea;

nervousness; purplish red, net-like, blotchy spots on skin; trouble sleeping

or nightmares; constipation*; dryness of the mouth; vomiting.

Rare side effects that should be reported as soon as possible to your

physician: blurred vision*; confusion; difficult urination*; fainting;

hallucinations; convulsions; unusual difficulty in coordination*; irritation and

swelling of

the eye; mental depression; skin rash; swelling of feet or lower legs;

unexplained shortness of breath.

*Since it may be difficult to distinguish between certain common symptoms of

MS and some side effects of amantadine, be sure to consult your health care

professional if an abrupt change of this type occurs.