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Amantadine - Amantadine Hydrochloride  - is sold under the name Symmetrel  for use both as an antiviral and an antiparkinsonian drug. Rimantadine is a closely related derivative with similar biological properties. The mechanism of its antiparkinsonian effect is poorly understood. Amantadine appears to act through several pharmacological mechanisms, but no dominant mechanism of action has been identified. It is a dopaminergic, noradrenergic and serotonergic substance, blocks monoaminoxidase A and NMDA receptors, and seems to raise beta-endorphin/beta-lipotropin levels. And it is anticholinergic. It is used primarily for ‘flu and parkinson’s disease!

Most common Symmetrel side effects

• Fever - (175 reports)
• Fall - (161 reports)
• Neuroleptic malignant syndrome - (124 reports)
• Hallucinations - (122 reports)
• Pneumonia - (117 reports)
• Depressed level of consciousness - (100 reports)
• Parkinson's disease - (92 reports)
• Blood creatine phosphokinase increased - (82 reports)
• Delirium - (81 reports)
• Interstitial lung disease - (78 reports)

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 100% of seasonal H3N2 and 2009 pandemic flu samples tested have shown resistance to adamantanes, and amantadine is no longer recommended for treatment of influenza. Additionally, its effectiveness as an antiparkinsonian drug is controversial, with a 2003 Cochrane Review concluding that it was ineffective for this purpose