machinelearny | 7 points | Apr 26 2021 22:08:24

Amantadine

I just came across something I haven't seen before, apparently in Poland there are doctors that swear by Amantadine for treating covid. Anybody else heard of it?

https://wbodnar.com/

https://www.pharmacytimes.com/view/evaluating-amantadine-as-a-potential-treatment-for-covid-19

https://accp1.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/jcph.1802

permalink

[-] OkCharity7377 | 3 points | Apr 27 2021 02:33:40

My son has been taking amantadine for years with no ill effects at all. It’s prescribed off label for adhd and used for autism. YMMV but it is a very good option for certain neurological conditions but I’ve read it is not used for its antiviral properties anymore as it isn’t very effective against the flu etc. My son did contract COVID and was completely asymptomatic. allergic reactions are likely rare.

permalink

[-] Easy_Yellow_307 | 1 points | Apr 27 2021 14:24:14

They say that the flue strains have evolved to be resistant to amantadine, but COVID doesn't know amantadine yet :) so it should would not have evolved resistance. It might be a good option, depending on the side effect profile.

permalink

[-] BernieTheDachshund | 2 points | Apr 26 2021 23:53:51

I'm allergic to it. They gave it to me when I had the flu (many years ago) and had horrible nightmarish side effects. I wouldn't take it if you offered me a million dollars. It's used as an anti-viral and for Parkinson's. It causes psychosis, somehow it's related to ketamine. I'll stick with Ivermectin.

permalink

[-] Ghosts_of_Astronauts | 3 points | Apr 27 2021 00:02:26

Thank you for your insight! Maybe it works well for those who aren't allergic? Either way, I'll stick with ivermectin too! (:

permalink

[-] machinelearny | 1 points | Apr 27 2021 00:44:21

The wikipedia page says it has a mild side-effect profile, just goes to show you can't trust wikipedia with anything!

I guess taking Ivermectin is like drinking water compared to most drugs if they consider this a "mild side effect profile"...

It is amazing how "mild side-effect profile" is considered compatible with:

"

Neurological[edit source]

Side effects include drowsiness (especially while driving), light headedness, falls, and dizziness.[48] Patients on Amantadine should avoid combination with other central nervous system (CNS) depressing agents, such as alcohol. Excessive alcohol usage may increase the potential for CNS effects such as dizziness, confusion, and light headedness.[49]

Rare severe adverse effects include neuroleptic malignant syndrome, depression, convulsions, psychosis, and suicidal ideation.[49] It has also been associated with disinhibited actions (gambling, sexual activity, spending, other addictions) and diminished control over compulsions.[48]

"

permalink

[-] BernieTheDachshund | 2 points | Apr 27 2021 02:21:36

It's seriously an evil drug. My event wasn't just an hour or even a day, I had to be sedated and stay asleep for almost a week! Had flashbacks for almost a year. I've had a couple of doctors see that as my allergy and ask "What happened, you go crazy?". Yup. They said it's more common than the public knows about. Non-Parkinson's disease folks should not get that medicine. Chantix is another one, people call it a suicide pill. Remeron is another. It's kinda scary they don't warn people these things can happen so if it does, they know it's the pill causing that effect and that it will go away. I had the flu and there was no internet back then, so I thought it had permanently damaged my brain. I was very shocked to see that medicine name in this sub. I shudder just thinking about it.

permalink

[-] Alternative_Debate_9 | 1 points | Apr 27 2021 02:13:41

I have restless leg syndrome and was getting prescribed Parkinson’s drugs for it. They’re all bad side effects. I hadn’t heard of amantadine either.

permalink

[-] BernieTheDachshund | 1 points | Apr 27 2021 02:35:58

It's not a common drug as far as I know. I know it has legit uses, but for anti-viral purposes it's risky. One doctor told me like 40% of non-Parkinson's people who take it have a bad reaction. A week of psychosis is a very bad side effect! I've also talked to one other person online, a guy from Germany who had the same exact thing happen. I guess if someone with covid is in a coma and it's a life or death situation they could try it, since it does indeed have anti-viral properties. Just for me the answer is hell no.

permalink

[-] Alternative_Debate_9 | 2 points | Apr 27 2021 02:39:56

Gabapentin is another of the same. Causes a lot of behavior like gambling, online shopping and overeating. I had to go outside my insurance to an RLS specialist to get a non-Parkinson’s drug that has no weird side effects. Our medical system is broken:)

permalink