Can you crush or split amantadine?
The answer belongs to the form, not the drug name. An extended-release tablet meters the dose out over hours; crushing it delivers the whole day at once. Match the product below to the one on your box — if yours is not listed, read its own label.
What each label says
The label allows it, in the terms quoted
“The daily dosage may be split into one tablet of 100 mg (or two teaspoonfuls of syrup) twice a day.”
On the label for Amantadine Hydrochloride · DailyMed
The label allows it, in the terms quoted
“The daily dosage may be split into one tablet of 100 mg twice a day.”
On the label for Amantadine HCL · DailyMed
The label allows it, in the terms quoted
“The daily dosage may be split into one capsule of 100 mg twice a day.”
On the label for Amantadine Hydrochloride · DailyMed
The label allows it, in the terms quoted
“The daily dosage may be split into two teaspoonfuls of oral solution twice a day.”
On the label for Amantadine · DailyMed
Swallow whole — the label says not to crush or chew it
“Swallow whole; may sprinkle contents on soft food.”
On the label for GOCOVRI · DailyMed
Swallow whole — the label says not to crush or chew it
“Information GOCOVRI should be swallowed whole.”
On the label for GOCOVRI · DailyMed
Swallow whole — the label says not to crush or chew it
“Do not crush, chew or divide capsules.”
On the label for GOCOVRI · DailyMed
Swallow whole — the label says not to crush or chew it
“Instruct patients and caregivers that GOCOVRI capsules should be swallowed whole and can be administered with or without food.”
On the label for GOCOVRI · DailyMed
Swallow whole — the label says not to crush or chew it
“Do not crush, chew, or divide.”
On the label for GOCOVRI · DailyMed
The label allows it, in the terms quoted
“The daily dosage may be split into 100 mg (two teaspoonfuls of oral solution) twice a day.”
On the label for AMANTADINE HYDROCHLORIDE · DailyMed
The label allows it, in the terms quoted
“The daily dosage may be split into two teaspoonfuls, (100 mg) of oral solution twice a day.”
On the label for AMANTADINE HYDROCHLORIDE · DailyMed
Frequently asked questions
Can you crush amantadine?
It depends on which amantadine product you have, which is why this page quotes each label separately rather than answering for the drug name. At least one form is labelled to be swallowed whole — crushing an extended-release tablet releases the whole day's dose at once, which is the reason those instructions exist.
Why does it depend on the form and not the drug?
Because the restriction is built into the tablet, not the molecule. Extended-release and enteric-coated tablets carry a coating or matrix that meters the dose out over hours; crushing destroys it and delivers everything immediately. The same drug in an immediate-release tablet often has no such restriction, which is why a list of drug names cannot answer this question and a quoted label can.
What if I can't swallow the tablet?
Ask the prescriber or pharmacist rather than crushing it anyway — most drugs that cannot be crushed exist in another form (liquid, dispersible tablet, patch, or an immediate-release version taken more often) and switching is usually straightforward. Some labels explicitly describe an alternative, and where they do it is quoted above.
More on amantadine
Quoted from FDA labels for reference, not medical advice. Never crush or split a tablet against its label to make it easier to take — ask the prescriber or pharmacist, because an alternative form usually exists.