Flu Channel
Topics
Medications
Quicklinks
Related Channels
Flumadine Side Effects
While most people do not experience any problems while taking Flumadine, side effects are possible. Some of the most common side effects seen in clinical studies include insomnia, nausea, difficulty concentrating, and nervousness. Although Flumadine side effects are minor in most cases, some may require immediate medical attention, such as hallucinations, agitation, and seizures.
As with any medicine, side effects are possible with Flumadine® (rimantadine hydrochloride); however, not everyone who takes the medication will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate it quite well. When side effects do occur, in most cases they are minor and either require no treatment or can easily be treated by you or your healthcare provider.
(This article covers many, but not all, of the possible side effects with Flumadine. Your healthcare provider can discuss a more complete list of Flumadine side effects with you.)
Flumadine has been studied thoroughly in clinical trials. In these studies, the side effects that occur in a group of people taking the drug are documented and are then compared to side effects that occur in another group of people not taking the medicine. This way, it is possible to see what side effects occur, how often they appear, and how they compare to the group not taking the medicine.
In these studies, the most common Flumadine side effects included:
- Insomnia -- in up to 3.4 percent of people
- Nausea -- up to 2.8 percent
- Nervousness -- up to 2.1 percent
- Difficulty concentrating -- up to 2.1 percent
- Dizziness -- up to 1.9 percent
- Vomiting -- up to 1.7 percent
- Loss of appetite -- up to 1.6 percent.
Other common Flumadine side effects, occurring in 1 to 1.5 percent of people, included:
- Headaches
- Fatigue
- Dry mouth
- Abdominal pain (stomach pain)
- Weakness.
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD