Hi there, my doc said symmetrel (amantadine) might be something for me. I'll get the syrup so it's easy to try different dosages.
I'm too afraid to use it, I've read the possible side-effects and since I already take a whole lot of drugs I'm a bit careful.
Especially the possible psychological side-effects scare me, since I already take a bunch of pills that mess with my head.

So, what I want to ask, is it possible with this medicine to start really low and slowly go to the prescribed dosage?
I know some medicine just don't work that way and you'll have to take the exact dosage or else it won't work (or worse, do something bad)

If my recommended dosage is 100 mg, is it ok to start at 10 (1 ml) and go from there?
I'm not asking for medical advice by the way, just wondering if someone did this so I can talk to my doc about ut.

Hi Ravenclaw,

Amantadine (Symmetrel) is an anti-viral medication. In MS it is used "off label" to try and treat Fatigue.

I was on it for approximately 4 months and went off because it caused hand tremors to worsen and didn't do anything for my fatigue.

As far as dosage, I don't know. My experience was with the tablet form which was 100mg. You could ask your Dr. or Pharmacist. It's been a long time since I used Amantadine but I think the pills were scored or I was allowed to cut them if needed.

Hi Ravenclaw.

Amantadine, like Snoopy said, is an old Med and I haven't used it in a long time either, but didn't have a problem with it.

I am on Amantadine. No side effects - been on it since 2002) and takes me from dead to half dead but only some. It sort of helps me.

Tried Provigil but it did not help. Made me more tired. I must be hyper enough it has an opposite effect on me. Like uppers for hyperactive kids to bring them down some.

Yeah you could try modafinil (aka Provigil, Alertec) instead if amantadine is too worrisome for you. I don't blame you for being concerned about the mental issues it can cause, especially if you're already taking medication for those things.

I take modafinil as needed. It helps. But I find I build up a tolerance to it pretty quickly. So one day one pill will be enough, the next day I'll need two, and then the next day two won't be enough. And I won't take more than two.