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To assess the incidence of medical complications in patients with recent traumatic disorders of consciousness (DOCs).

Data on adverse events in a placebo controlled trial of amantadine hydrochloride revealed no group difference, which allowed these events to be reanalyzed descriptively as medical complications experienced by the 2 groups collectively.

Eleven clinical facilities in the United States, Denmark, and Germany with specialty rehabilitation programs for patients with DOCs.

Patients (N=184) with nonpenetrating traumatic brain injury enrolled from acute inpatient rehabilitation programs between 4 and 16 weeks postinjury.

Participants were randomized to receive 200 to 400mg of amantadine hydrochloride or placebo daily for 4 weeks, and followed for an additional 2 weeks. Adverse events were recorded and categorized with respect to their nature, timing …