E. Amantadine

It was accidentally discovered that the antiviral drug amantadine, which is effective in the treatment of influenza, has an antiparkinsonism action. Amantadine has several effects on a number of neurotransmitters implicated in causing parkinsonism, including increasing the release of dopamine, blockading cholinergic receptors, and inhibiting the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) type of glutamate receptors. Current evidence supports an action at NMDA receptors as the primary action at therapeutic concentrations. [Note: If dopamine release is already at a maximum, amantadine has no effect.] Amantadine is less efficacious than levodopa, and tolerance develops more readily. However, amantadine has fewer side effects. The drug has little effect on tremor, but it is more effective than the anticholinergics against rigidity and bradykinesia.