Rimantadine

Rimantadine, also called Flumadine, is used to treat, or prevent, infections from oral herpes, genital herpes, or varicella-zoster viruses. These are also known as cold sores, sexually transmitted herpes, chicken-pox, and shingles.

How to Use
Take the full course of this medicine as directed. This medicine is taken orally and may be taken by mouth with food in stomach upset occurs. This medicine may come in an ointment. The ointment(Zovirax) is used on the affected area usually every 3 hours (6 times per day) for 7 days.

Missed Dose
Take your next dose as soon as you remember. If it is time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage
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. Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed.

Possible Side Effects
If you experience other bothersome side effects, contact your health care provider.
This medicine is generally well-tolerated and side effects are usually mild.
headache
The most common side effect are:
coughing
dizziness
headache
difficulty sleeping
nausea and vomiting
If you experience any of the following uncommon side effects, talk to you health care provider immediately. They are:
diffuclty breathing or shortness of breath
skin rash
infection and inflammation of the sinuses and chest

Warnings
If you are over the age of 65, talk to your doctor before taking this medicine.
Keep all lab appointments while taking this medicine.
Do NOT take this medicine with alcohol due to the increased chance of liver disease.
This medicine should be used with caution by patients that:
are immunocompromized
have kidney disease

Overdose
Seek medical attention immediately.

Drug Interactions
The following drugs may increase the possibility of kidney damage and should be avoided unless your doctor as instructed you to take them:
cyclosporine
tacrolimus
NSAID's (ibuprofen)
vancomycin
gentamycin
tobramycin
DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICINE if you are taking:
astemizole (Hismanal)
bepridil (Vascor)
cisapride (Propulsid)
ergot derivatives (Cafergot and others)
midazolam (Versed)
triazolam (Halcion).

Before you take rimantadine talk to your health care provider if you are taking Viagra. You may be at risk for an increase in Viagra-related side effects such as low blood pressure, changes in vision, or penile erection lasting more than four hours.

If you are taking a blood-thinning medication or you have low vitamin K, your doctor will decide if the amount of vitamin E in Agenerase interferes with your treatment. Do not take vitamin E supplements while being treated with Agenerase, because Agenerase contains vitamin E.

Before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medications, supplements, or herbs, with this medicine, talk to your health care provider about possible interactions. Talk to your health care provider if you smoke, drink caffein or alcohol, or use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works.
This medication may interact with other drugs used to treat viral infections. Talk to your pharmacist or physician if you are taking this with other drugs.

Pregnancy/Nursing
For women, use during pregnancy should only occur if the potential benefits outweigh the possible risk to the fetus. Talk to your doctor or pediatrician before using this medicine while nursing.