Amantadine for Dog
Dog · Canis lupus familiaris · typical adult weight 2.00–80.00 kg
Amantadine is used in dog for Chronic pain (NMDA antagonist adjunct). Routes documented in dog: PO. A typical adult dog weighs 2.00–80.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Amantadine in dog, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
Trade names: Symmetrel
Dose ranges
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO | 3–5 mg/kg | q24h | Long-term | Chronic pain (NMDA antagonist adjunct) | Moderate | Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed |
Need the exact dose for your patient?
These ranges are per kg. Enter your dog's weight to get the precise dose and draw-up volume — unit and concentration math done for you.
Mechanism of action
NMDA receptor antagonist that reduces central sensitization (wind-up pain). Also has dopaminergic and antiviral activity. Used for chronic/neuropathic pain.
Side effects & warnings
Adjunctive analgesic for chronic pain (combine with NSAIDs or gabapentin). CNS excitation at high doses. Renal elimination — adjust in renal disease. GI upset.
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for dog may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Other Neurological drugs with dog dosing
Amantadine dosing in other species
Why a species-specific page? Amantadine pharmacokinetics differ across species: dose ranges, intervals, and route preferences are not interchangeable. Cross-extrapolation from canine doses is unsafe in dog — the rules above are the citations specific to this species, not generic recommendations.
Sourced from published veterinary references; awaiting credentialed clinical reviewer. See our editorial process. Reference only — not veterinary advice.