[Use of amantadine for influenza A encephalopathy]

Recent experience in Japan has suggested that influenza A encephalopathy may occur more frequently than generally appreciated and may have a grave prognosis. Influenza A encephalopathy has been managed to date only with supportive measures, because the efficacy of anti-viral therapy for encephalopathy has not efficacy of anti-viral therapy for encephalopathy has not yet been documented. During the period from January 1996 to February 1998, we treated two cases of influenza A encephalopathy with amantadine (6 mg/kg/day, p.o., for 7 days). Both became status epileptics and had loss of consciousness within 24 hours after the onset of illness. They recovered without sequelae and had no side effects from amantadine treatment. Amantadine may be useful in the treatment of influenza A encephalopathy.