amantadine

American  

[uh-man-tuh-deen] / əˈmæn təˌdin /

noun

Pharmacology.

1. a water-soluble crystalline substance, C 10 H 17 NHCl, used as an antiviral and antiparkinsonian drug.

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amantadine British  

/ əˈmæntəˌdiːn /

noun

1. an antiviral drug used in the treatment of some types of influenza and to reduce some of the symptoms of Parkinson's disease

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Etymology

Origin of amantadine

1960–65; coinage apparently based on the chemical name 1-aminoadamantane; see amino-, adamantane

Example Sentences

A drug used to treat Parkinson’s disease called amantadine has also been found to help minimally conscious patients recover, possibly by increasing dopamine levels in brain networks vital to awareness and attention.

From Washington Post • Mar. 17, 2014

Alternatively, dopamine or amantadine may be used to excite the cortex, either directly or through the remaining neurons in the striatum.

From Slate • Mar. 17, 2014

Both groups made small but significant improvement, but the rate of recovery was faster in the group getting amantadine.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 1, 2012

Previous studies of amantadine suggested some benefit, but the numbers were small and experts were unsure of the results.

From New York Times • Feb. 29, 2012

Four drugs are on the market for treating flu but the two older ones, amantadine and rimantadine, are not used because most flu strains resist their effects.

From Reuters • Feb. 26, 2010