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PATIENT INFORMATION LEAFLET □ ALLIANCE

Symmetrel® syrup 50 mg/5ml

amantadine hydrochloride

Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start taking this medicine

•    Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.

•    If you have any further questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

•    This medicine has been prescribed for you. Do not pass it on to others. It may harm them, even if their symptoms are the same as yours.

•    If any of the side effects gets serious, or if you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet please tell your doctor or pharmacist.

1.    What Symmetrel syrup is and what it is taken for

Symmetrel is a dopaminergic drug which means it can increase the levels of certain chemicals which transmit impulses in the nervous system, including the brain.

Symmetrel syrup is used:

•    to treat Parkinson’s disease by improving muscle control and reducing stiffness, shakiness and shuffling

•    to prevent or treat certain flu infections (influenza A)

•    in the treatment of shingles (herpes zoster), to reduce pain.

2.    Check before you take Symmetrel syrup Do not take Symmetrel syrup:

•    if you are allergic (hypersensitive) to amantadine hydrochloride or any of the ingredients of Symmetrel syrup (see Section 6 Further information)

•    if you suffer from fits (convulsions), for example epilepsy

•    if you have ever had an ulcer in your stomach or small intestine

•    if you suffer from any serious kidney disease

•    if you are pregnant or trying to become pregnant (see Section 2 Pregnancy and breast-feeding)

•    if you are breast-feeding (see Section 2 Pregnancy and breast-feeding).

If any of the above applies to you, or if you are not sure, speak to your doctor or pharmacist before you take Symmetrel syrup.

Take special care with Symmetrel syrup

Before you take Symmetrel syrup tell your doctor if:

•    you suffer from any liver or kidney disease

•    you have a history of disease involving the heart and blood vessels

•    you are currently suffering from heart problems or heart failure (heart problems which cause shortness of breath or ankle swelling)

•    you have any mental illness for example, schizophrenia or dementia.

•    you have increased pressure in the eyes (glaucoma).

If any of the above applies to you, or if you are not sure, speak to your doctor or pharmacist before you take Symmetrel syrup.

Abnormally low body temperatures (below 35°C) can occur particularly in children treated for influenza. In this case talk to your doctor straight away and stop taking Symmetrel syrup.

Taking other medicines

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any of the following medicines as they may interfere with Symmetrel syrup: anti-cholinergics    -    (used to treat Parkinson’s disease)    such    as    procyclidine

anti-spasmodics    -    (used to treat stomach spasms or cramps)    such    as hyoscine

anti-histamines    -    used    to treat allergies

levodopa    -    used    to treat Parkinson’s disease

anti-psychotics    - (used to improve thoughts, feelings and behaviour when these are disturbed in certain medical

conditions) such as chlorpromazine, haloperidol

diuretics (water tablets) - (used to relieve water retention and reduce high blood pressure) such as hydrochlorothiazide, amiloride or triamterene.

Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription.

Taking with food and drink

Be careful when drinking alcohol whilst taking Symmetrel syrup, it may affect you more than usual.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding

Do not take Symmetrel syrup if you are pregnant or trying to become pregnant.

Do not take Symmetrel syrup if you are breast-feeding because Symmetrel passes into breast milk and could harm your baby.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking any medicine.

Driving and using machines

Taking Symmetrel syrup may make your vision blurred or make you feel dizzy. If you are affected you should not drive or use machines until the effect has worn off.

Important information about some of the ingredients of Symmetrel syrup

Symmetrel syrup contains sorbitol. If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking Symmetrel syrup.

Symmetrel syrup contains methyl hydroxybenzoate (E218) and propyl hydroxybenzoate (E216) which may cause allergic reactions (possibly delayed).

3. How to take Symmetrel syrup

Always take Symmetrel syrup exactly as your doctor has told you to. You should check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.

Shake the bottle before carefully measuring out your dose.

The usual dose is different in the following circumstances:

Flu

Adults:    Two 5ml spoonfuls (100 mg) a day.

Adults over 65 years:    Lower doses may be used or time between doses may be increased.

Children: (10 to 15 years): Two 5ml spoonfuls (100mg) a day.

Children: (under 10 years): As directed by your doctor.

For the prevention of flu: Symmetrel syrup should be used for as long as protection is needed. Usually about 6 weeks.

For the treatment of flu:    Symmetrel syrup should be taken for about 4 to 5 days.

Parkinson’s disease

Adults:    Two 5ml spoonfuls (100 mg) a day for the first week. Your doctor will increase this to four 5ml spoonfuls (200 mg) a

day. Higher doses, up to eight 5ml spoonfuls (400 mg) a day may be given in some cases.

Adults over 65 years:    Two 5ml spoonfuls (100 mg) once a day.

Shingles (herpes zoster)

The dose is four 5ml spoonfuls (200 mg) a day for 14 days. If your pain remains your doctor may give you another 14 days treatment.

If you have kidney problems, your doctor may give you a lower dose.

If you are not sure how much syrup to take, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

What to do if you take more Symmetrel syrup than you should