Flumadine

Pronunciation: ri-MAN-ta-deen
Generic Name: Rimantadine
Brand Name: Flumadine

Flumadine is used for:

Preventing and treating certain types of flu in adults. It is also used to prevent certain types of flu in children. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Flumadine is an antiviral agent. Exactly how it works is not known. It may block reproduction of the virus.

Do NOT use Flumadine if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Flumadine or to any adamantane medicine (eg, amantadine)

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Flumadine:

Some medical conditions may interact with Flumadine. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding


• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement


• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances


• if you have a history of liver problems, kidney problems, or seizures


• if you have taken any adamantane medicine (eg, amantadine) for the flu and it has not worked


• if you will be receiving a live nasal flu vaccine, or have received one within the past 14 days

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Flumadine. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Acetaminophen or aspirin because they may decrease Flumadine's effectiveness

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Flumadine may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Flumadine:

Use Flumadine as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Take Flumadine by mouth with or without food.


• If you are taking Flumadine to treat the flu, start taking it as soon as possible. It works best if you begin taking it within 48 hours after you start having flu symptoms.


• Take Flumadine for the full course of treatment. Do not miss any doses.


• If you miss a dose of Flumadine, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Flumadine.

Important safety information:

• Flumadine may cause dizziness or drowsiness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Flumadine with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.


• Flumadine only works against certain types of the flu; it does not treat other viral infections (eg, the common cold) or infections caused by bacteria.


• Be sure to use Flumadine for the full course of treatment. If you do not, the medicine may not work as well. The virus could also become less sensitive to this or other medicines. This could make the infection harder to treat in the future.


• Check with your doctor if you will be receiving a live nasal flu vaccine or have received one within the past 14 days. You should usually not start taking Flumadine until 2 weeks after you receive a live nasal flu vaccine. You should usually not receive a live nasal flu vaccine within 48 hours after you stop taking Flumadine.


• Use Flumadine with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially dizziness, headache, anxiety, weakness, tiredness, nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain.


• Flumadine should not be used to treat the flu in CHILDREN younger than 17 years old or used to prevent the flu in children younger than 1 year old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.


• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Flumadine while you are pregnant. It is not known if Flumadine is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Flumadine.

Possible side effects of Flumadine:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Dizziness; dry mouth; headache; loss of appetite; nausea; nervousness; stomach pain; tiredness; trouble sleeping; vomiting; weakness.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); confusion; depression; fast or irregular heartbeat; hallucinations; seizures; swelling of the hands, ankles, or feet; tremor; trouble walking.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

See also: Flumadine side effects (in more detail)

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include agitation; hallucination; irregular heartbeat.

Proper storage of Flumadine:

Store Flumadine at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C). Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Flumadine out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Flumadine, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.


• Flumadine is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.


• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.


• Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Flumadine. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

Issue Date: February 1, 2012

Database Edition 12.1.1.002

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

More Flumadine resources

• Flumadine Side Effects (in more detail)
• Flumadine Dosage
• Flumadine Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Drug Images
• Flumadine Drug Interactions
• Flumadine Support Group
• 0 Reviews for Flumadine - Add your own review/rating

• Flumadine Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Flumadine Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information


• Flumadine Concise Consumer Information (Cerner Multum)


• Flumadine Monograph (AHFS DI)


• Rimantadine Prescribing Information (FDA)

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