Can't find Amantadine at the pharmacy? Here are the best alternatives for Parkinson's, dyskinesia, and other conditions — and what to discuss with your doctor.
The ongoing Amantadine shortage has left many patients scrambling for alternatives. Whether you take Amantadine for Parkinson's disease, levodopa-induced dyskinesia, or drug-induced movement disorders, running out of your medication is stressful — and potentially dangerous.
This guide covers the most common alternatives to Amantadine, organized by condition. Important: Never switch or stop medications without talking to your doctor first. This article is for informational purposes to help you have an informed conversation with your healthcare provider.
Before exploring alternatives, make sure you've exhausted all options for finding Amantadine:
For a complete walkthrough, see our guide on how to find Amantadine in stock near you.
If you take Amantadine as part of your Parkinson's treatment, several other medications can help manage motor symptoms. Your neurologist will consider your full medication regimen before making changes.
Levodopa/Carbidopa is the gold standard treatment for Parkinson's disease. It works by increasing dopamine levels in the brain. If you were taking Amantadine alongside Levodopa, your doctor may adjust your Levodopa dose to compensate.
Dopamine agonists mimic the action of dopamine in the brain. They're often used in early Parkinson's or as add-on therapy.
These medications slow the breakdown of dopamine in the brain, helping it last longer.
Safinamide is a newer MAO-B inhibitor that also has NMDA-blocking properties — similar to Amantadine's mechanism of action. It's used as add-on therapy to Levodopa for patients experiencing "off" episodes.
One of Amantadine's most important uses is reducing involuntary movements (dyskinesia) caused by long-term Levodopa therapy. This is where finding a true replacement gets harder, because Amantadine is the only FDA-approved oral medication specifically for levodopa-induced dyskinesia.
Options your doctor may consider include:
Sometimes dyskinesia can be managed by changing how Levodopa is given — smaller, more frequent doses, or switching to an extended-release formulation like Rytary. This doesn't add a new drug but may reduce dyskinesia.
If generic immediate-release Amantadine isn't available, Gocovri — the brand-name extended-release version — is specifically FDA-approved for dyskinesia. It's significantly more expensive, but the manufacturer offers a copay assistance program through Gocovri Onboard.
In severe cases, low-dose Clozapine has shown some benefit for dyskinesia. However, it requires regular blood monitoring and is usually reserved for resistant cases.
If you take Amantadine to manage movement side effects from antipsychotic medications, these alternatives may help:
An anticholinergic medication commonly used for drug-induced EPS. It's available as a generic and is widely stocked at pharmacies.
Another anticholinergic option similar to Benztropine.
Sometimes used short-term for acute EPS reactions. Available over the counter but causes significant drowsiness.
If you take Amantadine off-label for conditions like multiple sclerosis fatigue or traumatic brain injury recovery, alternatives depend on your specific situation:
Before giving up on Amantadine, try MedFinder to search for pharmacies with current stock. If you need a doctor who can help manage your transition to an alternative, see our guide on finding a doctor who prescribes Amantadine.
You focus on staying healthy. We'll handle the rest.
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