[Intravenous and oral treatment with amantadine sulfate in Parkinson disease]

The rapid efficacy of amantadine on akinesia and rigidity in Parkinson's disease is generally known. The duration of this therapeutic result is however controversial. Some authors have reported a loss of efficacy after only a few weeks of therapy. The success of a short-term parenteral and subsequently oral long-term treatment with amantadine sulphate in 8 Parkinsonian patients was tested by means of clinical and neuropsychological examinations and by monitoring the serum concentration over the course of half a year. A ten-day intravenous treatment with amantadine sulphate (200 mg daily) led to a significant improvement in the clinical and psychological test results. This attained improvement could be maintained for 6 months with oral therapy consisting of 600 mg amantadine sulphate. There were strong interindividual variations in serum concentration.