A pilot study on the motor effects of rimantadine in Parkinson's disease.
The purpose of this pilot study was to determine whether rimantadine, the alpha-methyl derivative of amantadine, might have any antiparkinsonian properties. In an open-label trial, 14 patients (12 de novo and 2 on levodopa treatment) with Hoehn and Yahr stage 2 to 3 Parkinson's disease were placed on rimantadine at doses of 100 to 300 mg/d. No patients had dyskinesias or motor fluctuations. Ten of 14 (71%) reported a mean subjective response of 33% (range 10%-60%) to rimantadine. After treatment, there was a 13% improvement in Hoehn and Yahr staging (p = .01) and a 20% improvement in mean motor Unified Parkinsons Disease Rating Scale scores (p = .02). Rigidity was the most consistently improved feature among the responders. Mean effective dose was 256 mg/d (range 200-300 mg/d). Side effects were mild and transient, with nausea being most common (4/14). We conclude that rimantadine has some motor benefits in Parkinson's disease. A double-blind placebo-controlled study is warranted to validate our findings.
Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Center, Mayo Clinic Scottsdale, Arizona, USA.
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D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000978:Antiparkinson Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012299:Rimantadine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000978:Antiparkinson Agents; D012299:Rimantadine