Rimantadine Side Effects
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Feb 20, 2024.
Applies to rimantadine: oral tablet.
Serious side effects of rimantadine
Along with its needed effects, rimantadine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking rimantadine:
Less common side effects
- difficult or labored breathing
- shortness of breath
- tightness in the chest
- wheezing
Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur while taking rimantadine:
Symptoms of overdose
- anxiety
- chest pain or discomfort
- dizziness
- dry mouth
- fainting
- fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat
- hyperventilation
- irregular heartbeats
- irritability
- lightheadedness
- nervousness
- pounding or rapid pulse
- restlessness
- seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there
- shaking
- trouble with sleeping
Other side effects of rimantadine
Some side effects of rimantadine may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.
Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Less common side effects
- abdominal or stomach pain
- acid or sour stomach
- belching
- continuing ringing or buzzing or other unexplained noise in the ears
- diarrhea
- difficulty with concentrating
- headache
- hearing loss
- heartburn
- impaired concentration
- indigestion
- lack or loss of strength
- loss of appetite
- nausea
- rash
- shakiness and unsteady walk
- sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
- stomach discomfort, upset, or pain
- unsteadiness, trembling, or other problems with muscle control or coordination
- unusual tiredness or weakness
- vomiting
For healthcare professionals
Applies to rimantadine: oral syrup, oral tablet.
General adverse events
The more commonly reported adverse effects have included gastrointestinal and nervous system side effects.[Ref]
Nervous system
- Common (1% to 10%): Dizziness, headache, jitteriness
- Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Ataxia, somnolence
- Frequency not reported: Gait abnormality, hyperkinesia, tremor, taste loss/change, parosmia, convulsions, hypesthesia[Ref]
Gait abnormality, hyperkinesia, tremor, taste loss/change, parosmia, and convulsions have been reported in less than 0.3% of patients. Hypesthesia has occurred with higher than recommended doses. Dizziness and headache were reported up to two times more often in geriatric patients receiving rimantadine than in those receiving placebo. Seizures were reported in a few patients during clinical trials with rimantadine. In two patients, seizure activity had been absent for greater than 10 years. However, their anticonvulsant medications had been withdrawn in the previous few months.[Ref]
Gastrointestinal
- Common (1% to 10%): Nausea, vomiting, anorexia, dry mouth, abdominal pain
- Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Diarrhea, dyspepsia
- Frequency not reported: Constipation, dysphagia, stomatitis[Ref]
Constipation, dysphagia, and stomatitis have occurred with higher than recommended doses of rimantadine. Gastrointestinal symptoms (particularly nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain) were reported at least twice as often in geriatric patients receiving rimantadine than in those receiving placebo. Tolerance may be improved by giving the drug in two divided daily doses.[Ref]
Psychiatric
- Common (1% to 10%): Insomnia, impaired concentration, nervousness, depression
- Uncommon (1% to 10%): Agitation
- Frequency not reported: Hallucinations, euphoria, anxiety, confusion
Cardiovascular
- Frequency not reported: Cardiac failure, cerebrovascular disorder, heart block, hypertension, palpitation, pedal edema, tachycardia, syncope[Ref]
Cardiac failure, cerebrovascular disorder, heart block, hypertension, palpitation, pedal edema, tachycardia, and syncope were reported in less than 0.3% of patients.[Ref]
Respiratory
- Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Dyspnea
- Frequency not reported: Bronchospasm, cough[Ref]
Other
- Common (1% to 10%): Asthenia, fatigue
- Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Tinnitus
- Frequency not reported: Fever, rigors[Ref]
Dermatologic
- Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Diaphoresis, rash[Ref]
Genitourinary
- Frequency not reported: Nonpuerperal lactation, increased micturition frequency
Genitourinary side effects have included nonpuerperal lactation in less than 0.3% of patients. Increased micturition frequency has occurred with higher than recommended doses of rimantadine.
Ocular
- Frequency not reported: Lacrimation, eye pain
References
1. (2022) "Product Information. Flumadine (riMANTAdine)." Forest Pharmaceuticals
2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (1998) "Prevention and control of influenza: recommendations of the advisory committee on immunization practices (ACIP)." MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep, 47(RR-6), p. 1-26
3. Dolin R, Reichman RC, Madore HP, et al. (1982) "A controlled trial of amantadine and rimantadine in the prophylaxis of influenza A infection." N Engl J Med, 307, p. 580-4
4. Millet VM, Dreisbach M, Bryson YJ (1982) "Double-blind controlled study of central nervous system side effects of amantadine, rimantadine, and chlorpheniramine." Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 21, p. 1-4
5. Hayden FG, Hoffman HE, Spyker DA (1983) "Differences in side effects of amantadine hydrochloride and rimantadine hydrochloride relate to differences in pharmacokinetics." Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 23, p. 458-64
6. Bentley DW, Karki SD, Betts RF (1989) "Rimantadine and seizures." Ann Intern Med, 110, p. 323-4
7. Brady MT, Sears SD, Pacini DL, Samorodin R, DePamphilis J, Oakes M, Soo W, Clements ML (1990) "Safety and prophylactic efficacy of low-dose rimantadine in adults during an influenza A epidemic." Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 34, p. 1633-6
8. Patriarca PA, Kater NA, Kendal AP, Bregman DJ, Smith JD, Sikes RK (1984) "Safety of prolonged administration of rimantadine hydrochloride in the prophylaxis of influenza A virus infections in nursing homes." Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 26, p. 101-3
9. (1993) "Rimantadine for prevention and treatment of influenza." Med Lett Drugs Ther, 35, p. 109-10
10. Keyser LA, Karl M, Nafziger AN, Bertino JS (2000) "Comparison of central nervous system adverse effects of amantadine and rimantadine used as sequential prophylaxis of influenza A in elderly nursing home patients." Arch Intern Med, 160, p. 1485-8
11. Jefferson T, Demicheli V, Rivetti D, Jones M, Di Pietrantonj C, Rivetti A (2006) "Antivirals for influenza in healthy adults: systematic review." Lancet, 367, p. 303-13
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Further information
Rimantadine side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.