Skip to main content

Rimantadine Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Mar 12, 2024.

Applies to rimantadine: oral tablet.

Serious side effects of Rimantadine

Along with its needed effects, rimantadine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking rimantadine:

Less common

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur while taking rimantadine:

Symptoms of overdose

Other side effects of Rimantadine

Some side effects of rimantadine may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Less common

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to rimantadine: oral syrup, oral tablet.

General

The more commonly reported adverse effects have included gastrointestinal and nervous system side effects.[Ref]

Nervous system

Common (1% to 10%): Dizziness, headache, jitteriness

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Ataxia, somnolence

Frequency not reported: Gait abnormality, hyperkinesia, tremor, taste loss/change, parosmia, convulsions, hypesthesia[Ref]

Gait abnormality, hyperkinesia, tremor, taste loss/change, parosmia, and convulsions have been reported in less than 0.3% of patients. Hypesthesia has occurred with higher than recommended doses. Dizziness and headache were reported up to two times more often in geriatric patients receiving rimantadine than in those receiving placebo. Seizures were reported in a few patients during clinical trials with rimantadine. In two patients, seizure activity had been absent for greater than 10 years. However, their anticonvulsant medications had been withdrawn in the previous few months.[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Common (1% to 10%): Nausea, vomiting, anorexia, dry mouth, abdominal pain

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Diarrhea, dyspepsia

Frequency not reported: Constipation, dysphagia, stomatitis[Ref]

Constipation, dysphagia, and stomatitis have occurred with higher than recommended doses of rimantadine. Gastrointestinal symptoms (particularly nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain) were reported at least twice as often in geriatric patients receiving rimantadine than in those receiving placebo. Tolerance may be improved by giving the drug in two divided daily doses.[Ref]

Psychiatric

Common (1% to 10%): Insomnia, impaired concentration, nervousness, depression

Uncommon (1% to 10%): Agitation

Frequency not reported: Hallucinations, euphoria, anxiety, confusion

Cardiovascular

Frequency not reported: Cardiac failure, cerebrovascular disorder, heart block, hypertension, palpitation, pedal edema, tachycardia, syncope[Ref]

Cardiac failure, cerebrovascular disorder, heart block, hypertension, palpitation, pedal edema, tachycardia, and syncope were reported in less than 0.3% of patients.[Ref]

Respiratory

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Dyspnea

Frequency not reported: Bronchospasm, cough[Ref]

Other

Common (1% to 10%): Asthenia, fatigue

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Tinnitus

Frequency not reported: Fever, rigors[Ref]

Dermatologic

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Diaphoresis, rash[Ref]

Genitourinary

Frequency not reported: Nonpuerperal lactation, increased micturition frequency

Genitourinary side effects have included nonpuerperal lactation in less than 0.3% of patients. Increased micturition frequency has occurred with higher than recommended doses of rimantadine.

Ocular

Frequency not reported: Lacrimation, eye pain

References

1. Product Information. Flumadine (riMANTAdine). Forest Pharmaceuticals. 2022.

2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Prevention and control of influenza: recommendations of the advisory committee on immunization practices (ACIP). MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 1998;47(RR-6):1-26.

3. Dolin R, Reichman RC, Madore HP, et al. A controlled trial of amantadine and rimantadine in the prophylaxis of influenza A infection. N Engl J Med. 1982;307:580-4.

4. Millet VM, Dreisbach M, Bryson YJ. Double-blind controlled study of central nervous system side effects of amantadine, rimantadine, and chlorpheniramine. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 1982;21:1-4.

5. Hayden FG, Hoffman HE, Spyker DA. Differences in side effects of amantadine hydrochloride and rimantadine hydrochloride relate to differences in pharmacokinetics. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 1983;23:458-64.

6. Bentley DW, Karki SD, Betts RF. Rimantadine and seizures. Ann Intern Med. 1989;110:323-4.

7. Brady MT, Sears SD, Pacini DL, Samorodin R, DePamphilis J, Oakes M, Soo W, Clements ML. Safety and prophylactic efficacy of low-dose rimantadine in adults during an influenza A epidemic. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 1990;34:1633-6.

8. Patriarca PA, Kater NA, Kendal AP, Bregman DJ, Smith JD, Sikes RK. Safety of prolonged administration of rimantadine hydrochloride in the prophylaxis of influenza A virus infections in nursing homes. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 1984;26:101-3.

9. Rimantadine for prevention and treatment of influenza. Med Lett Drugs Ther. 1993;35:109-10.

10. Keyser LA, Karl M, Nafziger AN, Bertino JS. Comparison of central nervous system adverse effects of amantadine and rimantadine used as sequential prophylaxis of influenza A in elderly nursing home patients. Arch Intern Med. 2000;160:1485-8.

11. Jefferson T, Demicheli V, Rivetti D, Jones M, Di Pietrantonj C, Rivetti A. Antivirals for influenza in healthy adults: systematic review. Lancet. 2006;367:303-13.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.

Medical Disclaimer