OBSERVATIONS ON THE EFFECT OF AMANTADINE HYDROCHLORIDE IN THE TREATMENT OF PARKINSONISM

A preliminary evaluation of amantadine hydrochloride (“Symmetrel”) was made on 24 patients, resulting in some improvement of mental and physical performance in 45–8%. The degree of improvement in most cases appeared to be in excess of that obtained by conventional anti-Parkinsonism therapy. In 29.2% an initial improvement was not maintained, while the remaining 25% showed no improvement. The use of amantadine in general practice and also in conjunction with l-dopa is discussed. There is no doubt that amantadine hydrochloride is of value in the treatment of Parkinsonism, and has the advantages of producing few side effects and of being suitable for purely out-patient therapy, provided its limitations are appreciated.