Rimantadine hydrochloride

What Rimantadine hydrochloride is used for

Quoted from the “Indications and Usage” section of the FDA-approved label.

Rimantadine hydrochloride tablet is indicated for the prophylaxis and treatment of illness caused by various strains of influenza A virus in adults (17 years and older). Rimantadine hydrochloride tablet is indicated for prophylaxis against influenza A virus in children (1 year to 16 years of age). …

— FDA label: Rimantadine Hydrochloride, Amneal Pharmaceuticals of New York LLC, effective December 31, 2023. Read the full label on DailyMed →

Label quoted: the one for the most common form (tablet, film coated, oral), Rimantadine Hydrochloride, Amneal Pharmaceuticals of New York LLC; it covers 1 product in the FDA NDC Directory. The side effects, interactions, dosage and pregnancy quotes below come from this same label.

This page is not medical advice. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before you start, stop or change any medicine.

Boxed warning

A boxed warning (“black box”) is the FDA’s strongest warning on a drug label, for serious or life-threatening risks.

The label quoted above has no boxed warning.

Rimantadine hydrochloride side effects

Quoted from the “Adverse Reactions” section of the FDA-approved label. Tell your doctor about any side effect that worries you.

In 1,027 patients treated with rimantadine hydrochloride in controlled clinical trials at the recommended dose of 200 mg daily, the most frequently reported adverse events involved the gastrointestinal and nervous systems. Incidence >1%: Adverse events reported most frequently (1 % to 3%) at the recommended dose in controlled clinical trials are shown in the table below.

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Rimantadine (n=1,027) Control (n=986) Nervous System Insomnia 2.1% 0.9% Dizziness 1.9% 1.1% Headache 1.4% 1.3% Nervousness 1.3% 0.6% Fatigue 1.0% 0.9% Gastrointestinal System Nausea 2.8% 1.6% Vomiting 1.7% 0.6% Anorexia 1.6% 0.8% Dry mouth 1.5% 0.6% Abdominal Pain 1.4% 0.8% Body as a Whole Asthenia 1.4% 0.5% Less frequent adverse events (0.3 to 1%) at the recommended dose in controlled clinical trials were: Gastrointestinal System: diarrhea, dyspepsia; Nervous System: impairment of concentration, ataxia, somnolence, agitation, depression; Skin and Appendages: rash; Hearing and Vestibular: tinnitus; Respiratory: dyspnea. Additional adverse events (less than 0.3%) reported at recommended doses in controlled clinical trials were: Nervous System: gait abnormality, euphoria, hyperkinesia, tremor, hallucination, confusion, convulsions; Respiratory: bronchospasm, cough; Cardiovascular: pallor, palpitation, hypertension, cerebrovascular disorder, cardiac failure, pedal edema, heart block, tachycardia, syncope; Reproduction: non-puerperal lactation; Special Senses: taste loss/change, parosmia. Rates of adverse events, particularly those involving the gastrointestinal and nervous systems, increased significantly in controlled studies using higher than recommended doses of rimantadine hydrochloride. In most cases, symptoms resolved rapidly with discontinuation of treatment. In addition to the adverse events reported above, the following were also reported at higher than recommended doses: increased lacrimation, increased micturition frequency, fever, rigors, agitation, constipation, diaphoresis, dysphagia, stomatitis, hypesthesia and eye pain. Adverse Reactions in Trials of Rimantadine and Amantadine: In a six-week prophylaxis study of 436 healthy adults comparing rimantadine with amantadine and placebo, the following adverse reactions were reported with an incidence >1%. Rimantadine 200 mg/day (n=145) Placebo (n=143) Amantadine 200 mg/day (n=148) Nervous System Insomia 3.4% 0.7% 7.0% Nervousness 2.1% 0.7% 2.8% Impaired Concentration 2.1% 1.4% 2.1% Dizziness 0.7% 0.0% 2.1% Depression 0.7% 0.7% 3.5% Total % of subjects with adverse reactions 6.9% 4.1% 14.7% Total % of subjects withdrawn due to adverse reactions 6.9% 3.4% 14.0% Geriatric Use Approximately 200 patients over the age of 65 were evaluated for safety in controlled clinical trials with rimantadine hydrochloride. Geriatric subjects who received either 200 mg or 400 mg of rimantadine daily for 1 to 50 days experienced considerably more central nervous system and gastrointestinal adverse events than comparable geriatric subjects receiving placebo.

— FDA label: Rimantadine Hydrochloride, Amneal Pharmaceuticals of New York LLC, effective December 31, 2023. This is part of the section. Read the full label on DailyMed →

Rimantadine hydrochloride drug interactions

Quoted from the “Drug Interactions” section of the FDA-approved label. Tell your pharmacist about every medicine, vitamin and herbal product you take.

Acetaminophen: Rimantadine hydrochloride, 100 mg, was given twice daily for 13 days to 12 healthy volunteers. On day 11, acetaminophen (650 mg four times daily) was started and continued for 8 days. The pharmacokinetics of rimantadine were assessed on days 11 and 13. Co-administration with acetaminophen reduced the peak concentration and AUC values for rimantadine by approximately 11%.

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Aspirin: Rimantadine hydrochloride, 100 mg, was given twice daily for 13 days to 12 healthy volunteers. On day 11, aspirin (650 mg, four times daily) was started and continued for 8 days. The pharmacokinetics of rimantadine were assessed on days 11 and 13. Peak plasma concentrations and AUC of rimantadine were reduced approximately 10% in the presence of aspirin. Cimetidine: When a single 100 mg dose of rimantadine hydrochloride was administered with steady-state cimetidine (300 mg four times a day), there were no statistically significant differences in rimantadine C max or AUC between rimantadine hydrochloride alone and rimantadine hydrochloride in the presence of cimetdine. Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine (LAIV): The concurrent use of rimantadine hydrochloride with live attenuated intranasal influenza vaccine has not been evaluated. However, because of potential interference between these products, the live attenuated intranasal influenza vaccine should not be administered until 48 hours after cessation of rimantadine hydrochloride and rimantadine hydrochloride should not be administered until two weeks after the administration of live attenuated intranasal influenza vaccine unless medically indicated. The concern about potential interference arises principally from the potential for antiviral drugs to inhibit replication of live vaccine virus.

— FDA label: Rimantadine Hydrochloride, Amneal Pharmaceuticals of New York LLC, effective December 31, 2023. Read the full label on DailyMed →

Rimantadine hydrochloride dosage

Quoted from the “Dosage and Administration” section of the FDA-approved label. Your own dose is the one your doctor prescribes: do not change it on your own.

For Prophylaxis in Adults and Children Adults (17 years and older) The recommended adult dose of rimantadine hydrochloride is 100 mg twice a day. Study durations ranged from 11 days to 6 weeks in adult and elderly patients. In patients with severe hepatic dysfunction, severe renal impairment (CrCl 5 to 29 mL/min) or renal failure (CrCl ≤ 10 mL/min) and in elderly nursing home patients, a dose reduction to 100 mg daily is recommended.

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Because of the potential for accumulation of rimantadine metabolites during multiple dosing, patients with hepatic or renal impairment should be monitored for adverse effects. Children (1 year to 16 years of age) Study duration ranged from 5 weeks to 6 weeks in pediatric subjects. In children 1 year to 9 years of age, rimantadine hydrochloride should be administered once a day, at a dose of 5 mg/kg but not exceeding 150 mg. For children 10 years of age or older, use the adult dose. (see Directions for Compounding of an Oral Suspension from Rimantadine Hydrochloride Tablets to prepare an oral suspension for administration to children and patients with difficulty swallowing tablets). Children (Birth to 11 months) The safety and efficacy of rimantadine hydrochloride for prophylaxis of influenza in pediatric patients younger than 1 year of age have not been established. For Treatment in Adults Adults (17 years and older) The recommended adult dose of rimantadine hydrochloride is 100 mg twice a day for 7 days. In patients with severe hepatic dysfunction, severe renal impairment (CrCl 5 to 29 mL/min) or renal failure (CrCl ≤ 10 mL/min) and elderly nursing home patients, a dose reduction to 100 mg daily is recommended. Because of the potential for accumulation of rimantadine metabolites during multiple dosing, patients with hepatic or renal impairment should be monitored for adverse effects. Rimantadine hydrochloride therapy should be initiated as soon as possible, preferably within 48 hours after onset of signs and symptoms of influenza A infection. Therapy should be continued for approximately seven days from the initial onset of symptoms. Children (16 years of age and younger) Rimantadine hydrochloride is not indicated for treatment of influenza in pediatric patients 16 years or younger. Directions for the Compounding of an Oral Suspension from Rimantadine Hydrochloride Tablets (Final Concentration = 10 mg/mL) 1 These directions are provided for use only during emergency situations, for patients who have difficulty swallowing tablets or where lower doses are needed. The pharmacist may compound a suspension (10 mg/mL) from rimantadine hydrochloride tablets, 100 mg using Ora-Sweet ® †. Other vehicles have not been studied. To make an oral suspension (10 mg/mL) from 100 mg rimantadine hydrochloride tablets, you will need the following: 100 mg tablets of rimantadine hydrochloride Ora-Sweet ® (a vehicle manufactured by Paddock Laboratories) a graduated cylinder a mortar and pestle an Amber Glass or Polyethylene terephthalate plastic (PET) bottle a funnel (optional) Compounding Procedures A 100 mg tablet of rimantadine hydrochloride is required for each 10 mL of compounded oral suspension to make a concentration of 10 mg/mL.

— FDA label: Rimantadine Hydrochloride, Amneal Pharmaceuticals of New York LLC, effective December 31, 2023. This is part of the section. Read the full label on DailyMed →

Rimantadine hydrochloride in pregnancy

Quoted from the pregnancy part of the FDA-approved label. Ask your doctor before you take any medicine while pregnant or planning a pregnancy.

Teratogenic Effects: There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Rimantadine is reported to cross the placenta in mice. Rimantadine has been shown to be embryotoxic in rats when given at a dose of 200 mg/kg/d (11 times the MRHD based on mg/m 2).

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At this dose the embryotoxic effect consisted of increased fetal resorption in rats; this dose also produced a variety of maternal effects including ataxia, tremors, convulsions and significantly reduced weight gain. No embryotoxicity was observed when rabbits were given doses up to 50 mg/kg/d (approximately 0.1 times the MRHD based on AUC), but evidence of a developmental abnormality in the form of a change in the ratio of fetuses with 12 or 13 ribs were noted. This ratio is normally about 50:50 in a litter but was 80:20 after rimantadine treatment. However, in a repeat embryofetal toxicity study in rabbits at doses up to 50 mg/kg/d (approximately 0.1 times the MRHD based on AUC), this abnormality was not observed. Nonteratogenic Effects: Rimantadine was administered to pregnant rats in a peri- and postnatal reproduction toxicity study at doses of 30 mg/kg/d, 60 mg/kg/d and 120 mg/kg/d (1.7, 3.4 and 6.8 times the MRHD based on mg/m 2). Maternal toxicity during gestation was noted at the two higher doses of rimantadine, and at the highest dose, 120 mg/kg/day, there was an increase in pup mortality during the first 2 to 4 days postpartum. Decreased fertility of the F1 generation was also noted for the two higher doses. For these reasons, rimantadine hydrochloride should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the risk to the fetus.

— FDA label: Rimantadine Hydrochloride, Amneal Pharmaceuticals of New York LLC, effective December 31, 2023. Read the full label on DailyMed →

Rimantadine hydrochloride and breastfeeding

Quoted from the nursing mothers / lactation part of the FDA-approved label.

Rimantadine hydrochloride should not be administered to nursing mothers because of the adverse effects noted in offspring of rats treated with rimantadine during the nursing period. Rimantadine is concentrated in rat milk in a dose-related manner: 2 to 3 hours following administration of rimantadine, rat breast milk levels were approximately twice those observed in the serum.

— FDA label: Rimantadine Hydrochloride, Amneal Pharmaceuticals of New York LLC, effective December 31, 2023. Read the full label on DailyMed →

When Rimantadine hydrochloride should not be used

Quoted from the “Contraindications” section of the FDA-approved label.

Rimantadine hydrochloride tablet is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to drugs of the adamantane class, including rimantadine and amantadine.

— FDA label: Rimantadine Hydrochloride, Amneal Pharmaceuticals of New York LLC, effective December 31, 2023. Read the full label on DailyMed →

Rimantadine hydrochloride overdose

Quoted from the “Overdosage” section of the FDA-approved label. If someone may have taken too much, call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222 (or 911 in an emergency).

As with any overdose, supportive therapy should be administered as indicated. Overdoses of a related drug, amantadine, have been reported with adverse reactions consisting of agitation, hallucinations, cardiac arrhythmia and death.

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The administration of intravenous physostigmine (a cholinergic agent) at doses of 1 to 2 mg in adults (Ref. 7) and 0.5 mg in children (Ref. 8) repeated as needed as long as the dose did not exceed 2 mg/hour has been reported anecdotally to be beneficial in patients with central nervous system effects from overdoses of amantadine.

— FDA label: Rimantadine Hydrochloride, Amneal Pharmaceuticals of New York LLC, effective December 31, 2023. Read the full label on DailyMed →

Forms and how it is given

Companies that list this medicine

Labelers in the FDA NDC Directory: the company named on the package (maker or distributor), with the number of prescription products.

• Amneal Pharmaceuticals of New York LLC1 product

FDA approval history

• ANDA: Abbreviated New Drug Application: how a generic version is approved.

Generic approvals (1)

• ANDA076132Impax Labs · August 30, 2002

Shortage status

The FDA drug shortage list does not show these products.

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Recalls

No recall linked to these products (by their NDC code) appears in the FDA enforcement reports.

Official identifiers

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Sources

1. FDA-approved label on DailyMed (National Library of Medicine) — Rimantadine Hydrochloride, Amneal Pharmaceuticals of New York LLC, effective December 31, 2023; via openFDA, FDA data exported October 30, 2026, retrieved October 31, 2026
2. NDC Directory (openFDA) — U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), FDA data exported October 30, 2026, retrieved October 31, 2026
3. Drugs@FDA (openFDA) — U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), FDA data exported October 30, 2026, retrieved October 31, 2026
4. Drug recall enforcement reports (openFDA) — U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), FDA data exported October 27, 2026, retrieved October 31, 2026
5. Drug shortages (openFDA) — U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), FDA data exported October 30, 2026, retrieved October 31, 2026

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