Amantadine for Refractory Tremor in Parkinson Disease and Other Indications: A Chart Review With Long-Term Follow-up

The aim of this study was to determine how amantadine was used in a movement disorders clinic and how effective it was.

A chart review over a 2-month period in 2022 of all patients in a movement disorders clinic who had ever taken amantadine was undertaken.

One hundred six charts were included. Amantadine was initiated primarily for tremor and secondly for l -dopa-induced dyskinesias (LIDs). Sixty-two percent of tremor patients improved and tolerated amantadine; 74% of those with LID improved and tolerated the drug. Hallucinations occurred in 23%. Initiating amantadine as a syrup allowed a more conservative titration than other formulations, which is attractive given the high percentage of hallucinations that may occur. Patients who tolerated drug initiation were generally kept on the drug for many years.

Amantadine should be considered as adjunctive therapy in Parkinson disease patients with refractory tremor as well as for LIDs.