Can someone please tell me why / what the hypothesis regarding amantadine with lyme tx ?

Others will probably have more scientific answers for you, but I take Amantadine so I thought I'd share what I've learned.

In Dr. B's 2002 Treatment Guidelines, it recommends using Amantadine to change body pH allowing greater absorption of macrolides like Zithromax and Biaxin.

Let me know if you need that link. It's on Treepatrol's New Member links. I think you can also go to:

www.ilads.org

Then click on: Articles and Presentations

As you said, it's also an anti-viral and ticks carry viruses. It also treats the Borne Virus which causes depression. They test for this virus in Germany, but not in US.

Amantadine helps me increase the dopamine levels of my brain. I've had severe chemical depression diagnosed on brain mapping (BEAM) treated with Wellbutrin.

Wellbutrin also helps with dopamine, but it's so stimulating that it can turn my nerves on fire. Then I can't get out of head pain.

I've also been diagnosed by a movement disorder specialist/neurologist with essential tremor of head & voice. It's gotten so much better with treatment.

Another poster uses Amantidine in syrup form & titrates the dose up & down as to what's needed.

You don't want to overdo dosages because you'll get into trouble with your dopamine levels in your brain which can cause dangerous problems. The same as too much seratonin in the brain causes "Seratonin Crisis".

If you ever get a RX for amantadine, read up on side-effects so you'll understand everything.

Best Wishes,
Jan

Edited to give link.

In Dr. B's Treatment Guidelines, it recommends using Amantadine to change body pH allowing greater absorption of macrolides like Zithromax and Biaxin.

I just checked and this is according to
Dr. B.'s 2002 Treatment Guidelines.

Under the antibiotic section, beside Azithromycin (Zithromax) it lists:

Amantadine 100-200 mg per day

Opinion only here:

You'd probably get the BEST information from others more familiar with starting doses. I really don't know what the minimum dose is that will make your body pH change.

My Amantadine 100 mg. is a yellow softgel that I can't cut even though RX bottle says it's a "capsule".

According to www.RXlist.com it states that Amantadine loses it's effectiveness over time, which is probably referring to those taking it to increase dopamine levels in the brain.

I really don't know if it loses its effectiveness over time relative to it's ability to change body pH. A pharmacist or LLMD could tell you.

Safest & best to ask your doctor for starting dosages.

It is only my opinion to start at a low dose and see how you feel on it, before progressing too high, too fast.

Just FYI:
Your RX was for the flu. If I had the flu, I'd definitely take it as prescribed. Why? Because you're only taking it for a few days and you'd want it to be strong enough to fight the flu.

I'm basing that on the fact that I only received about 3 (?) days worth of Amantadine for the flu way back in the 90s.

In my opinion, when you start taking Amantadine long term/high dose, then it has the potential to have a cumulative effect in the brain. Don't know???

Hope I haven't confused you more than helped.

Again, this is all my opinion.

Take Care,
Jan

P.S. Sorry----I forgot to tell you to click on Articles & Presentations to find Dr. B's 2002 Guidelines for Treatment at www.ilads.org

I'll go fix that in earlier post for other readers.

It is also used for MS, to combat fatigue. I believe it helps my fatigue. This is very subjective, but I like being on it.

I use a liquid form and take 50mg twice a day. Maybe this isn't enough, but I have side effects if I take more and I feel better on this dose. If it's a placebo effect, so be it!