ExoticRx · exoticrx.com/drugs/amantadine
US brand names:Symmetrel
Amantadine is dosed at 5 mg/kg PO q24h in amazon parrots, per 86. Berg KJ, Guzman DS.M, Knych HK, et al. Pharmacokinetics of amantadine after oral administration of single and multiple doses to orange-winged Amazon parrots (Amazona amazonica). Am J Vet Res. 2020;81(8):651-655. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.489 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 5.18 (Miscellaneous Agents Used in Birds). The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table — not the page — is the citable location. — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
NMDA receptor antagonist that reduces central sensitization (wind-up pain). Also has dopaminergic and antiviral activity. Used for chronic/neuropathic pain.
Adjunctive analgesic for chronic pain (combine with NSAIDs or gabapentin). CNS excitation at high doses. Renal elimination — adjust in renal disease. GI upset.
Species references:All Amazon Parrot drugsAll Cat (Domestic) drugsAll Dog (Domestic) drugsAll Ferret drugs
Each ExoticRx dose rule is graded by the strength of its primary evidence — see the editorial process.
A dog/cat sample is shown here. Cited dosing for all 4 species — reptiles, birds, pocket pets, livestock, and equine — is free on the per-species pages above. Pro adds the weight-based calculator for every species.
| Species | Route | Dose | Frequency | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dog (Domestic) | PO | 3–5 mg/kg | q24h | Moderate | Madden M, Gurney M, Bright S. Amantadine, an N-Methyl-D-Aspartate antagonist, for treatment of chronic neuropathic pain in a dog. Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia. 2014;41:440-441. doi:10.1111/vaa.12141; Lascelles BDX, Gaynor JS, Smith ES, et al. Amantadine in a multimodal analgesic regimen for alleviation of refractory osteoarthritis pain in dogs. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine. 2008;22:53-59. doi:10.1111/j.1939-1676.2007.0014.x — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.74 (2026-08-01). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.45, Amantadine monograph spanning p.45-46; page located 2026-08-05 from the book's own running heads, verified to name the drug in its body text. — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781394172207 |
| Cat (Domestic) | PO |
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View PlansSource citations and evidence levels available on the live page. Reference only — verify against current literature before clinical use.
| 3–5 mg/kg |
| q24h |
| Weak |
| Madden M, Gurney M, Bright S. Amantadine, an N-Methyl-D-Aspartate antagonist, for treatment of chronic neuropathic pain in a dog. Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia. 2014;41:440-441. doi:10.1111/vaa.12141; Lascelles BDX, Gaynor JS, Smith ES, et al. Amantadine in a multimodal analgesic regimen for alleviation of refractory osteoarthritis pain in dogs. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine. 2008;22:53-59. doi:10.1111/j.1939-1676.2007.0014.x — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.74 (2026-08-01). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.45, Amantadine monograph spanning p.45-46; page located 2026-08-05 from the book's own running heads, verified to name the drug in its body text. — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781394172207 |