Two medicines, side by side
Amantadine vs oseltamivir
Amantadine and oseltamivir are both labeled for influenza. Drugs@FDA records approvals of amantadine since 1968 and of oseltamivir since 1999. Pharmacies paid $0.143 per amantadine 100 mg capsule and $0.150 per mL (Oseltamivir 6 mg/mL suspension) (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 oseltamivir a neuraminidase inhibitor.
Check it at the source: the amantadine FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 30, 2026); the oseltamivir FDA label on DailyMed (effective December 15, 2025).
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 oseltamivir record
Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) · label of December 15, 2025
Used for
From the label: indicationsTAMIFLU is an influenza neuraminidase inhibitor (NAI) indicated for: Treatment of acute, uncomplicated influenza A and B in patients 2 weeks of age and older who have been symptomatic for no more than 48 hours. ( 1.1 ) Prophylaxis of influenza A and B in patients 1 year and older. ( 1.2 ) Limitations of Use: Not a substitute for annual influenza vaccination. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- October 27, 1999
- Generic labelers
- 36 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.150 per mL
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 3
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Amantadine label of January 30, 2026, Oseltamivir label of December 15, 2025); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do amantadine and oseltamivir differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, amantadine is an influenza a m2 protein inhibitor and oseltamivir a neuraminidase inhibitor.
How each works, in its label's words: Amantadine, “Parkinson's Disease The mechanism of action of amantadine in the treatment of Parkinson's disease and drug-induced extrapyramidal reactions is not known.”; Oseltamivir, “Oseltamivir is an antiviral drug with activity against influenza virus [see Microbiology (12.4) ].”
Half-life, in each label's words: Amantadine, “The half-life was 17 ± 4 hours (range: 10 to 25 hours).”; Oseltamivir, “Plasma concentrations of oseltamivir declined with a half-life of 1 to 3 hours in most subjects after oral …”
Generics: amantadine since 1987; oseltamivir since 2016 (Drugs@FDA).
| Amantadine | Oseltamivir | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Influenza, Parkinson's disease | Influenza |
| Pharmacologic class | Influenza A M2 Protein Inhibitor | Neuraminidase Inhibitor |
| 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. | Oseltamivir is an antiviral drug with activity against influenza virus [see Microbiology (12.4) ]. |
| Half-life (label) | The half-life was 17 ± 4 hours (range: 10 to 25 hours). | Plasma concentrations of oseltamivir declined with a half-life of 1 to 3 hours in most subjects after oral administration. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | February 14, 1968 | October 27, 1999 |
| First generic approved | January 7, 1987 | August 3, 2016 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 34 labelers | 36 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.143 per capsule (Amantadine 100 mg capsule) | $0.150 per mL (Oseltamivir 6 mg/mL suspension) |
| 12-month price change | -6% | -14% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 6 | 3 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 20,181 | 24,281 |
| 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)
Do their labels mention each other?
Oseltamivir label, drug interactionsInteraction with TAMIFLU No dose adjustments are needed for either oseltamivir or the concomitant drug when coadministering oseltamivir with amoxicillin, acetaminophen, aspirin, cimetidine, antacids (magnesium and aluminum hydroxides and calcium carbonates), rimantadine, amantadine, or warfarin [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ].
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to amantadine
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions