Amantadine: the journey from fighting flu to treating Parkinson disease

G Hubsher, M Haider, MS Okun - Neurology, 2012 - AAN Enterprises
G Hubsher, M Haider, MS Okun
Neurology, 2012AAN Enterprises
Objective: To explore how amantadine transitioned from an anti-flu drug to antiparkinsonian
agent. Methods: A review of the historical literature on the use of amantadine from 1966 to
the present was performed. Results: Amantadine was originally introduced and utilized as
an antiviral medication. A single patient noticed relief in her Parkinson disease (PD)
symptoms after taking amantadine for a flu infection, and this observation sparked an
interest, and several important studies that eventually led to a new drug indication …
Objective
To explore how amantadine transitioned from an anti-flu drug to antiparkinsonian agent.
Methods
A review of the historical literature on the use of amantadine from 1966 to the present was performed.
Results
Amantadine was originally introduced and utilized as an antiviral medication. A single patient noticed relief in her Parkinson disease (PD) symptoms after taking amantadine for a flu infection, and this observation sparked an interest, and several important studies that eventually led to a new drug indication.
Conclusion
Amantadine has over the years fallen out of favor as a drug to address influenza infection; however, it has become part of the arsenal utilized for early symptomatic treatment of PD, as well an option for treating dyskinesia.
American Academy of Neurology