Amantadine in pediatric patients with traumatic brain injury: a retrospective, case-controlled study.
OBJECTIVE
To determine if amantadine use in pediatric patients with traumatic brain injury is well tolerated and to attempt to assess its effectiveness.


METHODS
This was a retrospective, case-controlled study.


RESULTS
Of the 54 patients, aged 3-18 yrs, who were administered amantadine, five (9%) had side effects that might have been related to the drug. These included hallucinations, delusions, increased aggression, and nausea/vomiting. The side effects were reversed when the medication was stopped or the dosage decreased. Patients in the amantadine group had a greater increase in Ranchos Los Amigos level during their admission than those in the control group (median, 3 vs. 2; P < 0.01). This difference may be, at least in part, explained by the fact that the amantadine group started at a lower Ranchos Los Amigos level (median, 3 vs. 4; P < 0.01). There were subjective improvements noted in 29 of the 46 patients (63%) in the amantadine group whose full charts were available for review.


CONCLUSIONS
Amantadine is a well tolerated medication when it is used in pediatric patients with traumatic brain injury. Subjective improvements were noted in the majority of the patients administered amantadine, and the amantadine group showed a greater improvement in Ranchos Los Amigos level during admission, suggesting that it may be effective.
Green
Liza B
LB
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Michigan Health Systems, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48103, USA.
Hornyak
Joseph E
JE
Hurvitz
Edward A
EA
D000293:Adolescent; D000547:Amantadine / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D002648:Child; D003071:Cognition / Q000187:drug effects; D015259:Dopamine Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D015259:Dopamine Agents; D000547:Amantadine