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Source overview
Recorded excerpts for one species. Each dose remains a separate source entry; no regimen is selected.
Choose one species to view its source overview. All-species evidence remains available below.
View full clinical evidence and sources ↓Clinical evidence
Pending clinical review (PROPOSED)Rule-based (RULE_BASED)— applies to the facts and dose entries in this species selection; individual source records retain their own status.
Indications3
Adjunctive treatment of chronic pain (osteoarthritis, neuropathic pain, osteosarcoma pain, "wind-up") when NSAIDs/opioids alone are insufficient; reduces opioid tolerance
DogCatExtra-label (EXTRA_LABEL)2 source records · View provenance
- Dog · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 61–62; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 24–25 — Indications table · Not applicable · Extra-label (EXTRA_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Original excerpt: Adjunctive treatment of chronic pain (osteoarthritis, neuropathic pain, osteosarcoma pain, "wind-up") when NSAIDs/opioids alone are insufficient; reduces opioid tolerance — Extra-label (human drug)
- Cat · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 61–62; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 24–25 — Indications table · Not applicable · Extra-label (EXTRA_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Original excerpt: Adjunctive treatment of chronic pain (osteoarthritis, neuropathic pain, osteosarcoma pain, "wind-up") when NSAIDs/opioids alone are insufficient; reduces opioid tolerance — Extra-label (human drug)
- Dog · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 61–62; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 24–25 — Indications table · Not applicable · Extra-label (EXTRA_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Antiviral (influenza A) — human label; FDA banned extra-label use in chickens/turkeys/ducks (2006)
Other speciesNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Other species · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 61–62; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 24–25 — Indications table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Original excerpt: Antiviral (influenza A) — human label; FDA banned extra-label use in chickens/turkeys/ducks (2006) — N/A small animal
- Other species · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 61–62; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 24–25 — Indications table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Dose regimens4
This calculator performs arithmetic only on the sourced dosing field shown for each result — it does not verify the field's accuracy, does not select which field to use for a patient, and does not replace a veterinarian's order. Not for clinical use. Confirm every result against the primary source before dispensing.
Choose one species above to view its dose calculator.
Adverse effects115
Agitation/restlessness, loose stools, flatulence, diarrhea — Mainly early in therapy
DogNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Dog · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 61–62; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 24–25 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Anxiety states, dry mouth — Occasional
Other speciesNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Other species · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 61–62; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 24–25 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Narrow safety margin — Toxicity appears only at ≥2× doses, but margin described as fairly narrow
DogCatNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)2 source records · View provenance
- Dog · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 61–62; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 24–25 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
- Cat · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 61–62; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 24–25 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
These are counts of spontaneously reported events, not proven adverse effects, causal relationships, or incidence rates.
Bars compare report counts within each species; they do not show incidence.
More reportsFewer reportsDog
- Death by euthanasia75 reports
- Lethargy (see also Central nervous system depression in Neurological)57 reports
- Vomiting54 reports
- Diarrhoea50 reports
- Ataxia42 reports
- Lack of efficacy - NOS39 reports
- Polydipsia39 reports
- Limb weakness38 reports
- Polyuria36 reports
- Elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT)35 reports
- Partial lack of efficacy33 reports
- Not eating32 reports
Cat
- Abdominal effusion2 reports
- Death by euthanasia2 reports
- Hypotension2 reports
- Lateral recumbency2 reports
- Nausea2 reports
- Other abnormal test result NOS2 reports
- Dermal plaque1 reports
- Diarrhoea1 reports
- Elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT)1 reports
- Self mutilation1 reports
- Vomiting1 reports
Monitoring1
GI signs and agitation (especially first weeks); analgesic efficacy (may take ~1 week); renal values if impaired
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 61–62; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 24–25 — Monitoring Parameters · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Contraindications1
Hypersensitivity; untreated angle-closure glaucoma; pregnancy
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 61–62; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 24–25 — Contraindications & Warnings table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Precautions5
Renal or hepatic disease (reduce dose), CHF, seizure disorders, psychoses, eczematoid dermatitis — caution until more safety data
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 61–62; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 24–25 — Contraindications & Warnings table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Amantadine is not an analgesic on its own — always pair with an NSAID or opioid. Its value is NMDA blockade: reducing central sensitization/wind-up and opioid tolerance.
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 61–62; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 24–25 — Clinical pearl · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Effect is delayed — give at least a week before judging efficacy.
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 61–62; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 24–25 — Clinical pearl · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Overdoses are potentially very serious in dogs and cats (narrow index) — counsel owners on storage.
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 61–62; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 24–25 — Clinical pearl · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Plumb notes no dog/cat PK studies; Papich gives t½ ~5–6 h — data quality overall is thin, consistent with "adjunct, not primary" positioning.
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 61–62; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 24–25 — Clinical pearl · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Interactions3
Selegiline / dopamine-increasing drugs — Avoid combination
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 61–62; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 24–25 — Drug Interactions table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Other CNS stimulants — Enhanced CNS effects
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 61–62; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 24–25 — Drug Interactions table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Anticholinergics — Additive anticholinergic effects
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 61–62; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 24–25 — Drug Interactions table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Pharmacokinetics4
Half-life — ~5 h (dog); ~6 h (cat)
Other speciesNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Other species · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 61–62; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 24–25 — Pharmacokinetics table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Distribution — 3–8 L/kg; crosses blood–brain barrier
Other speciesNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Other species · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 61–62; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 24–25 — Pharmacokinetics table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Metabolism — Minimal; primarily renal elimination
Other speciesNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Other species · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 61–62; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 24–25 — Pharmacokinetics table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Peak — ~3 h post-dose (human)
Other speciesNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Other species · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 61–62; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 24–25 — Pharmacokinetics table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Pregnancy / lactation considerations1
Human FDA category C; embryotoxic and teratogenic at high doses in lab animals — avoid in pregnancy (Papich states avoid outright).
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 61–62; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 24–25 — Pregnancy & Lactation · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Literature references20
References are linked to this drug. Species applicability is not recorded here, so the species filter does not narrow this list. Imported dates do not retain their original precision; confirm dates in the original citation.
- Suspected amantadine-induced hypoglycaemia in a dog treated for chronic lumbosacral pain.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
- Assessment of pharmacokinetic parameters, oral bioavailability, and physiological effects of amantadine in horses.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
- Variations in the management of canine osteoarthritis: a cross-sectional survey of veterinary practices.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
- Environmental occurrence of amantadine and rimantadine in aquaculture pond sediments: application of a newly developed LC-MS/MS method.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
- Zanamivir-Amantadine Conjugate: A Dual-Action Agent with Broad-Spectrum Synergistic Antiviral Efficacy.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
Sources: PubMed, National Library of Medicine; openFDA, U.S. Food and Drug Administration; Plumb DC. Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook. 7th ed. PharmaVet Inc; 2011.
Owner information handout
Plain-language medication information to review with the owner. Open the handout to print it or download a PDF.