Two medicines, side by side
Amantadine vs benztropine
Amantadine and benztropine are both labeled for parkinson's disease. Drugs@FDA records approvals of amantadine since 1968 and of benztropine since 1954. Pharmacies paid $0.143 per amantadine 100 mg capsule and $0.0753 per benztropine mes 1 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. In FDA's classes, amantadine is an influenza a m2 protein inhibitor and benztropine an antihistamine.
Check it at the source: the amantadine FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 30, 2026); the benztropine FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 9, 2026).
Highlights of the amantadine record
Amantadine (Symmetrel) · label of January 30, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsAmantadine hydrochloride capsules are indicated for the prophylaxis and treatment of signs and symptoms of infection caused by various strains of influenza A virus. Amantadine hydrochloride capsules are also indicated in the treatment of parkinsonism and drug-induced extrapyramidal reactions. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- February 14, 1968
- Generic labelers
- 34 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.143 per capsule
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 6
Highlights of the benztropine record
Benztropine (Cogentin) · label of January 9, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsBenztropine mesylate tablets are indicated for use as an adjunct in the therapy of all forms of parkinsonism. Useful also in the control of extrapyramidal disorders (except tardive dyskinesia – see PRECAUTIONS ) due to neuroleptic drugs (e.g., phenothiazines).
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- March 5, 1954
- Generic labelers
- 23 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0753 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- A presentation being discontinued
- Recalls
- 3
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Amantadine label of January 30, 2026, Benztropine label of January 9, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do amantadine and benztropine differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, amantadine is an influenza a m2 protein inhibitor and benztropine an antihistamine.
Generics: amantadine since 1987; benztropine since 1985 (Drugs@FDA).
| Amantadine | Benztropine | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Influenza, Parkinson's disease | Parkinson's disease |
| Pharmacologic class | Influenza A M2 Protein Inhibitor | Anticholinergic, Antihistamine |
| How it works (label) | Parkinson's Disease The mechanism of action of amantadine in the treatment of Parkinson's disease and drug-induced extrapyramidal reactions is not known. | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | The half-life was 17 ± 4 hours (range: 10 to 25 hours). | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | February 14, 1968 | March 5, 1954 |
| First generic approved | January 7, 1987 | April 11, 1985 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 34 labelers | 23 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.143 per capsule (Amantadine 100 mg capsule) | $0.0753 per tablet (Benztropine mes 1 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -6% | -4% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | A presentation being discontinued |
| Recalls recorded | 6 | 3 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 20,181 | 7,287 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Alternatives to amantadine
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions