Drug reference

rimantadine

Adamantane antiviral · Antiviral (Anti-influenza)

Adamantane antiviralAntiviral (Anti-influenza)ATC J05AG01

CDSCO approvedATC J05AG01

EXCRETION

—

not curated

INTERACTIONS

4 major

SEVERE in our sources

PREGNANCY

FDA category + note

Top interactions

BupropionSevereDatabaseDDInter
IohexolSevereDatabaseDDInter
IopamidolSevereDatabaseDDInter
TramadolSevereDatabaseDDInter

Mechanism

Rimantadine inhibits an early step in viral replication, probably viral uncoating, and for some strains, affects a late step in viral assembly by altering hemagglutinin processing. The primary locus of action is the influenza A virus M2 protein, an integral membrane protein that functions as an ion channel. It is 4- to 10-fold more active than amantadine.

Indications

prevention of influenza A virus infectionstreatment of influenza A virus infectionsseasonal prophylaxis against influenza A illnesspreventing nosocomial influenzacurtailing nosocomial outbreaks during pandemic influenzauncomplicated influenza A illnessinfluenza A (similar to amantadine, preferred over amantadine)

Dosing

Adult: 200 mg/day in one or two divided doses (seasonal prophylaxis, 5 days treatment for uncomplicated influenza A)
Pediatric: 5 mg/kg per day, up to 150 mg, once or twice daily (children ≥1 year)
Renal adjustment: Clcr ≤ 10 mL/min requires adjustment