Key takeaways

  • Gocovri is prescribed to treat dyskinesia (involuntary movements) in adults with Parkinson’s disease who take levodopa. It also helps reduce “off” episodes when levodopa/carbidopa stops working.
  • You’ll usually start with 137 milligrams (mg) at bedtime and increase to 274 mg after a week. If you have kidney problems, you may need a lower dose.
  • Gocovri comes as extended-release capsules. Swallow them whole, or open them and sprinkle the contents on soft food. Do not stop taking it suddenly because doing so could cause withdrawal symptoms.

Gocovri is a prescription drug used in adults with Parkinson’s disease. It helps manage involuntary movements (dyskinesia) and reduces “off” times when your usual medication wears off.

The active ingredient is amantadine, which belongs to a class of drugs called NMDA blockers. Gocovri is taken once daily as an extended-release capsule, meaning the drug is released slowly over time.

This article describes the dosages of Gocovri, its strengths, and how to take it.

Your doctor will likely start you on a low dose and adjust it until you reach the right balance between symptom relief and side effects. The goal is to find the smallest effective dose that works for you.

Form and strengths

  • Form: Extended-release capsule taken by mouth
  • Strengths: 68.5 milligrams (mg) and 137 mg

The dosage is the same whether Gocovri is used to treat dyskinesia or “off” episodes.

  • Starting dose: 137 mg once nightly at bedtime
  • Maintenance dose: After 1 week, increase to 274 mg once nightly

Gocovri is meant for long-term use if it continues to help you and remains safe for you.

If you have kidney problems

You may need a lower dose based on your kidney function. Gocovri isn’t recommended for people with severe kidney disease or end-stage kidney failure.

Gocovri is available as an extended-release oral capsule. “Extended release” means the drug is released into your body slowly over some time.

You take it once a day at bedtime. Swallow the capsule whole, don’t crush, chew, or cut it. If swallowing is difficult, open the capsule and sprinkle the contents onto a spoonful of soft food, like applesauce. Swallow the mixture right away without chewing. If you have difficulty swallowing capsules, our guide on how to swallow a pill may be helpful.

For questions about storage, expiration, or disposal, talk with your pharmacist or doctor.

Accessible drug containers and labels

Some pharmacies provide medication labels that:

  • have large print
  • use braille
  • feature a code you can scan with a smartphone to change the text to audio

Your doctor or pharmacist may be able to recommend pharmacies that offer these accessibility features if your current pharmacy doesn’t.

Let your pharmacist know if you have difficulty opening medication bottles. They may have tips to help, or they may be able to supply Gocovri in an easy-open container.

Be sure not to take more Gocovri than your prescribed dose. Too much can lead to harmful effects.

Possible overdose symptoms include:

In extreme cases or if untreated, overdose can lead to coma.

Call your doctor right away if you think you’ve taken too much Gocovri. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach America’s Poison Centers or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 (or your local emergency number) or go to the nearest emergency room.

Is Gocovri’s dosage similar to Osmolex ER?

Both Gocovri and Osmolex ER contain amantadine and are taken once daily as extended-release capsules. The difference is when you take them: Gocovri is taken at bedtime, while Osmolex ER is taken in the morning.

Your doctor will recommend the one that best fits your symptoms and lifestyle.

How long does it take for Gocovri to start working?

You may not feel Gocovri working right away, but it begins acting after your first dose. In studies, people noticed effects after about 12 weeks.

Your doctor will check in to see how well it’s helping and whether your dose needs adjusting.

The following are some questions you can consider asking your doctor:

  • Can you lower my dosage if I notice too many side effects?
  • What is the maximum dosage of Gocovri I can take to treat my dyskinesia?
  • Can I sprinkle Gocovri on foods other than applesauce, like pudding or yogurt?

Always take Gocovri exactly as prescribed. If you have concerns or notice changes in how you feel, talk with your doctor before making any changes.

To get information on different conditions and tips for improving your health, subscribe to any of Healthline’s newsletters. You may also want to check out the online communities at Bezzy. It’s a place where people with certain conditions can find support and connect with others.

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.