Gocovri (amantadine) is a prescription drug that’s used to treat symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. The drug comes as an extended-release capsule. You usually take it once per day.

Gocovri is used in adults to treat:

The active ingredient in Gocovri is amantadine. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.)

Gocovri belongs to a group of drugs called NMDA blockers.

Gocovri comes in an extended-release oral capsule. “Extended release” means the drug is released into your body slowly over some time.

This article describes the dosages of Gocovri, as well as its strengths and how to take it. To learn more about Gocovri, see this in-depth article.

This section describes the usual dosages of Gocovri. Keep reading to learn more.

What is Gocovri’s form?

Gocovri is available as an extended-release oral capsule. “Extended release” means the drug is released into your body slowly over some time.

What strengths does Gocovri come in?

Gocovri comes in two strengths: 68.5 milligrams (mg) and 137 mg.

What is the usual dosage of Gocovri?

Your doctor will likely start you on a low dosage and adjust it over time to reach the right amount for you. They’ll ultimately prescribe the smallest dosage that provides the desired effect.

The information below describes dosages that are commonly taken or recommended. But be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. They’ll determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

Dosage for dyskinesia and “off” episodes in people with Parkinson’s disease

The dosage of Gocovri for treating dyskinesia in people with Parkinson’s disease who take levodopa is as follows. The dosage is the same for treating Parkinson’s disease in people who take levodopa/carbidopa and have “off” episodes.

The initial dosage of Gocovri is 137 mg once daily at bedtime. After 1 week of treatment, you’ll switch to a maintenance dosage for the remainder of your treatment. The maintenance dosage is 274 mg once daily at bedtime.

Is Gocovri taken long term?

Yes, Gocovri is usually taken as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that it’s safe and effective for your condition, you’ll likely take it long term.

Dosage adjustments

If you have problems with your kidneys, your doctor will lower your dosage of Gocovri. Your dosage may depend on the severity of your kidney problems. Gocovri may not be the right drug for you if you have end stage kidney failure.

The dosage of Gocovri you’re prescribed may depend on other conditions you may have (see the “Dosage adjustments” section above).

Gocovri is available as an extended-release oral capsule. You must swallow the capsule whole. Do not crush, chew, or cut it. If you can’t swallow the capsule whole, open it and sprinkle the contents onto a teaspoonful of soft food such as applesauce. Then swallow it whole without chewing.

If you have difficulty swallowing capsules, you can see this article for tips on how to take this form of medication.

For information on the expiration, storage, and disposal of Gocovri, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Accessible drug containers and labels

Some pharmacies provide medication labels that:

  • have large print
  • use braille
  • feature a code you can scan with a smartphone to change the text to audio

Your doctor or pharmacist may be able to recommend pharmacies that offer these accessibility features if your current pharmacy doesn’t.

Let your pharmacist know if you have difficulty opening medication bottles. They may have tips to help, or they may be able to supply Gocovri in an easy-open container.

If you miss a dose of Gocovri, take it as soon as you remember. But if it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at its usual time. If you’re not sure whether you should take a missed dose, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

If you need help remembering to take your dose of Gocovri on time, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or downloading a reminder app on your phone.

Do not take more Gocovri than your doctor prescribes, as this can lead to harmful effects.

Symptoms of overdose

Symptoms caused by an overdose can include:

In extreme cases or if untreated, overdose can lead to coma.

What to do in case you take too much Gocovri

Call your doctor right away if you think you’ve taken too much Gocovri. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach America’s Poison Centers or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 (or your local emergency number) or go to the nearest emergency room.

Taking Gocovri can lead to physical dependence. This condition occurs when your body relies on a drug to function as usual.

If you suddenly stop taking Gocovri, you may experience withdrawal symptoms. These side effects can occur when you stop taking a drug on which your body has become dependent.

Examples of withdrawal symptoms include:

  • confusion or delirium
  • fever
  • severe muscle symptoms

If you’ve been taking Gocovri for more than 4 weeks, your doctor may lower your dosage slowly over time. This can help reduce your risk of withdrawal symptoms after you stop treatment.

If you have withdrawal symptoms after you’ve stopped taking Gocovri, talk with your doctor. They can recommend ways to ease these symptoms.

Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about Gocovri’s dosage.

Is Gocovri’s dosage similar to the dosages of Osmolex ER?

Gocovri (amantadine) and Osmolex ER (amantadine) are both extended-release oral capsules. You take each drug once per day. Doctors recommend taking Osmolex ER in the morning, whereas they typically recommend taking Gocovri at bedtime.

The dose in milligrams for each drug differs. Your doctor will prescribe the drug and the dosage that’s right for you.

To learn more about how these drugs compare, talk with your doctor.

How long does it take for Gocovri to start working?

Gocovri starts to work after your first dose. Because of how the drug works, you likely won’t feel the drug working in your body. In studies, people noticed an effect after 12 weeks. Your doctor will monitor you during treatment to check whether the drug is working for your condition.

If you have other questions about what to expect from your Gocovri treatment, talk with your doctor.

The sections above describe the usual dosages provided by the drugmaker. If your doctor recommends Gocovri for you, they’ll prescribe the dosage that’s right for you.

Remember, you should not change your dosage of Gocovri without your doctor’s recommendation. Only take Gocovri exactly as prescribed. Talk with your doctor if you have questions or concerns about your current dosage.

Here are some examples of questions you may want to ask your doctor:

  • Can you lower my dosage to 68.5 milligrams if I have too many side effects?
  • What is the maximum dosage of Gocovri I can take to treat my dyskinesia?
  • I have difficulty swallowing capsules. Can I sprinkle the capsule contents onto pudding or yogurt and then swallow that without chewing?

To learn more about Gocovri, see the article “All About Gocovri.”

To get information on different conditions and tips for improving your health, subscribe to any of Healthline’s newsletters. You may also want to check out the online communities at Bezzy. It’s a place where people with certain conditions can find support and connect with others.

Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.