Rimantadine Oral Tablets

What is this medicine?

RIMANTADINE (ri MAN ta deen) is an antiviral drug. It is used to prevent and treat a specific type of flu called influenza A. It will not work for colds, other types of flu, or other viral infections.

This drug may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

How should I use this medicine?

Take this medicine by mouth with a glass of water. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Take your medicine at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Take all of your medicine as directed even if you think your are better. Do not skip doses or stop your medicine early.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. While this drug may be prescribed for children as young as 1 year old for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

• allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue

• breathing difficulties

• chest pain or palpitations

• seizures

• unusually weak or tired

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• difficulty sleeping

• dizziness

• dry mouth

• headache

• loss of appetite

• nausea

• stomach pain

What may interact with this medicine?

• acetaminophen

• aspirin

• intranasal flu vaccine

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

Where should I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children.

Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• kidney disease

• liver disease

• seizures

• taken or scheduled to take intranasal flu vaccine within 2 weeks

• an unusual or allergic reaction to rimantadine, amantadine, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

• pregnant or trying to get pregnant

• breast-feeding

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

Visit your doctor or health care provider for regular check ups. Tell your doctor if your symptoms do not start to get better or if they get worse.

You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this drug affects you. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells.

If you have the flu, you may be at an increased risk of developing confusion or abnormal behavior. This occurs early in the illness, and more frequently in children and teens. These events are not common, but may result in accidental injury to the patient. Families and caregivers of patients should watch for signs of unusual behavior and contact a doctor or health care provider right away if the patient shows signs of unusual behavior.

This drug is not a substitute for the flu shot. Talk to your doctor each year about an annual flu shot.