Gocovri (amantadine) is a prescription oral capsule that’s used to treat symptoms of Parkinson’s disease in adults. Gocovri can cause side effects that range from mild to serious. Examples include dizziness, constipation, and dry mouth.

Some people may experience mild to serious side effects during their Gocovri treatment. Examples of the drug’s commonly reported side effects include:

  • peripheral edema (swelling in the arms, hands, or legs)
  • constipation
  • dry mouth
  • dizziness
  • hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren’t really there)

Mild side effects have been reported with Gocovri. These include:

In most cases, these side effects should be temporary. And some may be easily managed. But if you have symptoms that are ongoing or bothersome, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. And do not stop taking Gocovri unless your doctor recommends it.

Gocovri may cause mild side effects other than those listed above. See the drug’s prescribing information for details.

* An allergic reaction is possible after taking Gocovri, but this side effect wasn’t reported in studies. To learn more, see the “Side effects explained” section below.

Serious side effects have been reported with Gocovri. These include:

If you develop serious side effects while taking Gocovri, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. If you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Gocovri, visit MedWatch.

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section below.
† An allergic reaction is possible after taking Gocovri, but this side effect wasn’t reported in studies.

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If you or someone you know is in crisis and considering suicide or self-harm, please seek support:

If you’re calling on behalf of someone else, stay with them until help arrives. You may remove weapons or substances that can cause harm if you can do so safely.

If you are not in the same household, stay on the phone with them until help arrives.

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Learn more about some of the side effects Gocovri may cause.

Orthostatic hypotension

Orthostatic hypotension (a drop in blood pressure upon standing up) was a common side effect reported in studies of Gocovri. Orthostatic hypotension may cause symptoms such as:

  • feelings of faintness or fainting
  • heart pounding
  • blurred vision
  • headache
  • fatigue
  • lightheadedness or dizziness
  • shortness of breath

Factors that can increase the risk of orthostatic hypotension from Gocovri include:

  • being age 65 years or older
  • having anemia
  • having heart problems
  • being dehydrated
  • drinking alcohol
  • taking other medicines that can cause dizziness or low blood pressure
  • first starting Gocovri treatment or having a dosage increase

What might help

While taking Gocovri, take your time standing up after long periods of sitting or lying down, especially when you wake up in the morning or first start treatment.

If you have orthostatic hypotension from Gocovri, the following tips may help relieve your symptoms:

  • Drink plenty of water.
  • Wear waist-high compression hose.
  • Increase salt in your diet.
  • Eat small meals.
  • Avoid becoming overheated.
  • Try physical therapy for movement and strength exercises.

If your symptoms of orthostatic hypotension become bothersome or worsen, talk with your doctor right away. They will likely need to do a medical evaluation.

Suicidal thoughts or actions

Suicidal thoughts or actions were an uncommon side effect reported in studies of Gocovri. Suicidal thoughts or actions may cause symptoms such as:

  • experiencing mood swings
  • feeling anxious
  • feeling hopeless or helpless
  • having a lack of interest in things you once enjoyed
  • withdrawing from loved ones
  • making a plan to carry out suicide
  • talking about suicide

What might help

Sometimes, suicidal thoughts or behaviors may be difficult to talk about, so finding mental health support is an essential part of your care.

If you have suicidal thoughts or actions during your Gocovri treatment, talk with your doctor right away or call 911 or your local emergency number. It’s also a good idea to ask your family or people close to you to watch for changes in your mood or behavior while you’re taking Gocovri.

Allergic reaction

Like most drugs, Gocovri can cause an allergic reaction in some people. But this side effect wasn’t reported in studies.

Symptoms can be mild to serious and can include:

  • skin rash
  • itchiness
  • flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)
  • swelling under your skin (usually in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet)
  • swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe

What might help

If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may suggest a treatment to manage your symptoms. Examples include:

  • an oral antihistamine, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
  • a product you apply to your skin, such as hydrocortisone cream

If your doctor confirms you’ve had a mild allergic reaction to Gocovri, they’ll decide whether you should continue taking it.

If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or difficulty breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care.

If your doctor confirms you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Gocovri, they may have you switch to a different treatment.

Keeping track of side effects

During your Gocovri treatment, consider taking notes on any side effects you’re having. You can then share this information with your doctor. This is especially helpful when you first start a new drug or combination of treatments.

Your side effect notes can include things such as:

  • what dose of the drug you were taking when you had the side effect
  • how soon you had the side effect after starting that dose
  • what your symptoms were
  • how your symptoms affected your daily activities
  • what other medications you were taking
  • any other information you feel is important

Keeping notes and sharing them with your doctor will help them learn more about how Gocovri affects you. They can then use this information to adjust your treatment plan if needed.

Below is important information you should consider before taking Gocovri.

Warnings

Gocovri can sometimes cause harmful effects in people who have certain conditions. This is known as a drug-condition interaction. Other factors may also affect whether Gocovri is a good treatment option for you.

Talk with your doctor about your health history before you take Gocovri. Be sure to tell them if any of the following factors apply to you:

  • You recently received or are planning to receive live vaccines, including the nasal spray flu vaccine (FluMist).
  • You have low blood pressure.
  • You have kidney problems.
  • You live with narcolepsy.
  • You live with mental health conditions, such as depression or suicidal thoughts.
  • You experience impulsive behaviors (intense, uncontrollable urges).
  • You are taking a medication containing sodium bicarbonate.
  • You take other prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, herbs, or nutritional supplements.
  • You have had a past allergic reaction to Gocovri or its active ingredient, amantadine.
  • You are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
  • You are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed.

Alcohol and Gocovri

You should not drink alcohol while taking Gocovri. This is because combining alcohol and Gocovri can increase your risk of dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, low blood pressure, and falling.

If you drink and have questions about consuming alcohol during Gocovri treatment, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding with Gocovri

Before starting Gocovri treatment, it’s important to talk with your doctor if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant or breastfeed.

Pregnancy

It’s not known whether Gocovri is safe to take during pregnancy. If you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant, talk with your doctor about your treatment options. If you become pregnant while taking Gocovri, call your doctor right away.

Breastfeeding

It’s not known whether Gocovri is safe to take while breastfeeding. The drug can pass into breast milk, but it isn’t known what effects this may have on a child who’s breastfed. If you’re breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before starting Gocovri treatment.

Like most drugs, Gocovri can cause a number of side effects that range from mild to serious. However, most are temporary and go away after a few days to weeks. If you have questions about side effects that Gocovri can cause, talk with your doctor.

Examples of questions to help get you started include:

  • Can I switch to a lower dose if I have side effects from Gocovri?
  • Could certain side effects of Gocovri prevent me from driving?
  • Will the side effects of Gocovri go away over time?

To learn more about Gocovri, see these articles:

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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.