In 1994, Rimantadine, derived from amantadine, was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat influenza A. Th drug was approved in 1993 for treatment and prophylaxis in adults, but was approved only for prophylaxis in children.

In 2009, 100% of seasonal H3N2 and pandemic flu samples tested had resistance to rimantadine and it is no longer recommended for treatment of the flu.