Rimantadine is an antiviral medicine used to treat or prevent influenza A in people who are at least 17 years old. Rimantadine is also used to prevent influenza A in children ages 1 to 16 years old.

Rimantadine may not be effective during every flu season because certain strains of the virus may be resistant to rimantadine. Rimantadine should not be used in place of getting a yearly flu shot. The Centers for Disease Control recommends an annual flu shot to help protect you each year from new strains of influenza virus.

Rimantadine may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Do not receive a nasal flu vaccine while taking rimantadine, and for at least 48 hours after your last dose.

Rimantadine comes as a tablet and a liquid to take by mouth. It usually is taken once or twice a day for 2 to 12 weeks. A flu vaccine also will be given. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take rimantadine exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Start taking rimantadine within 24 to 48 hours after flu symptoms begin. Keep taking rimantadine for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely cleared.

Follow your doctor's dosing instructions very carefully.

Tell your doctor if the person taking this medicine has trouble swallowing the rimantadine tablet.

Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve, or if they get worse.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

You should not use rimantadine if you are allergic to rimantadine or a similar medicine called amantadine.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• a seizure; or

• liver or kidney disease.

It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

You should not breastfeed while using this medicine.

Skip the missed dose and use your next dose at the regular time. Do not use two doses at one time.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. An overdose can be fatal.

Overdose symptoms may include agitation, hallucinations, or uneven heart rate.

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).

It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. http://www.upandaway.org

Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website (http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p) for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.

Rimantadine may cause an upset stomach. Take rimantadine with food or milk.

Do not receive a nasal flu vaccine while using rimantadine, and for at least 48 hours after your last dose. The vaccine may not work as well during this time, and may not fully protect you from disease.

Do not drink alcohol. Dangerous side effects could occur.

Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how rimantadine will affect you. Your reactions could be impaired.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Rimantadine may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

• extreme drowsiness, or if you fall asleep suddenly even after feeling alert;

• a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;

• depression, agitation, aggression, behavior changes, hallucinations, thoughts of hurting yourself; or

• a seizure.

Side effects such as headache, dizziness, feeling weak or tired, anxiety, vomiting, and stomach pain may be more likely in older adults.

Common side effects of rimantadine may include:

• nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, stomach pain;

• dry mouth;

• sleep problems (insomnia); or

• dizziness.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Using rimantadine with other drugs that make you drowsy can worsen this effect. Ask your doctor before using opioid medication, a sleeping pill, a muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety or seizures.

Other drugs may affect rimantadine, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain lab tests to check your response to rimantadine.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Your prescription is probably not refillable. If you still have symptoms of infection after you finish the rimantadine, call your doctor.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.