Observations placeholder
Visual hallucinations and delirium during treatment with amantadine (Symmetrel)
Identifier
023516
Type of Spiritual Experience
Background
Amantadine (trade name Symmetrel, by Endo Pharmaceuticals) is a drug that has U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval for use both as an antiviral and an antiparkinsonian drug.
A description of the experience
J Am Geriatr Soc. 1975 May;23(5):212-5.
Visual hallucinations and delirium during treatment with amantadine (Symmetrel).
Postma JU, Van Tilburg W.
Abstract
In 13 elderly patients, 12 of whom had Parkinson's disease, visual hallucinations and delirium developed as a side effect of amantadine hydrochloride (Symmetrel) therapy. The symptoms promptly disappearred when amantadine was discontinued. Thereafter, each parkinsonian patient was treated satisfactorily with levo-dopa. Treatment with a combination of amantadine and an anticholinergic agent increases the likelihood of delirium because of the hazard of retention of urine. Although amantadine is effective in the treatment of Parkinson's disease in the elderly, the incidence of delirium as a complication seems higher in this age group.
PMID:
123540