Rimantadine

Rimantadine is used to prevent and treat infections caused by influenza A virus.

This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Rimantadine comes as a tablet and a liquid to take by mouth. It usually is taken once or twice a day for 2 to 12 weeks. A flu vaccine also will be given. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take rimantadine exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Before taking rimantadine,

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to rimantadine or any other drugs.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take while taking rimantadine. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
• the following nonprescription products may interact with rimantadine: aspirin; acetaminophen. Be sure to let your doctor and pharmacist know that you are taking these medications before you start taking rimantadine. Do not start any of these medications while taking rimantadine without discussing with your healthcare provider.
• tell your doctor if you have or have ever had liver disease, seizures, or blood disorders.
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking rimantadine, call your doctor.

Rimantadine may cause an upset stomach. Take rimantadine with food or milk.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

Rimantadine may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• upset stomach
• nervousness
• tiredness
• difficulty sleeping and concentrating
• lightheadedness

If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

• skin rash
• yellowing of the skin or eyes
• mood changes
• mental confusion
• vision changes

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online (https://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).

It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location — one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. https://www.upandaway.org

Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website (https://goo.gl/c4Rm4p) for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.

In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services at 911.

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain lab tests to check your response to rimantadine.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Your prescription is probably not refillable. If you still have symptoms of infection after you finish the rimantadine, call your doctor.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.

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