benztropine

(benz TROE peen)
Cogentin

What is the most important information I should know about benztropine?

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Immediately report to your doctor any stomach discomfort, stomach upset, fever, or feelings of extreme heat. This could indicate the development of a serious condition.

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Do not stop taking benztropine suddenly. This could make your condition much worse.

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Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Benztropine may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities.

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Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness while you are taking benztropine.

What is benztropine?

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Benztropine reduces the effects of certain chemicals that occur naturally in your body and that may become unbalanced as a result of disease (such as Parkinson's disease), drug therapy, or other causes.

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Benztropine is used to treat the stiffness, tremors, spasms, and poor muscle control of Parkinson's disease. It is also used to treat and prevent these same muscular conditions when they are caused by drugs such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine), fluphenazine (Prolixin), perphenazine (Trilafon), and others.

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Benztropine may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking benztropine?

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You cannot take benztropine if you

have ever had an allergic reaction to it

have narrow-angle glaucoma,

have an obstruction in your bowel or a complication of bowel disease known as megacolon; or

have myasthenia gravis.

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Tell your doctor about any other medical conditions that you have, especially

an enlarged prostate or difficulty urinating,

epilepsy or another seizure disorder,

heart disease or an irregular heartbeat;

depression or any other psychiatric illness, or

kidney or liver disease.

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You may need a lower dose or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.

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Benztropine is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether benztropine will harm an unborn baby. Do not take benztropine without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant.

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It is also not known whether benztropine passes into breast milk. Do not take benztropine without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take benztropine?

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Take benztropine exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

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Take each dose with a full glass of water.

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Benztropine can be taken with food to lessen stomach upset.

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The maximum amount of benztropine that you should take in any one day is 6 mg. Follow your doctor's instructions.

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Store benztropine at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

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Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and only take your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication.

What happens if I overdose?

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Seek emergency medical attention.

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Symptoms of a benztropine overdose include confusion, nervousness, hallucinations, dizziness, weakness, dry mouth, blurred vision, an irregular heartbeat, nausea and vomiting, numbness in your hands or feet, headache, seizures, and coma.

What should I avoid while taking benztropine?

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Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness while you are taking benztropine.

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Avoid becoming overheated. Benztropine may cause decreased sweating. This could lead to heat stroke in hot weather or with vigorous exercise. Try to keep as cool as possible and watch for signs of heat stroke such as decreased sweating, nausea, and dizziness.

What are the possible side effects of benztropine?

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If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking benztropine and seek emergency medical attention:

an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives);

an irregular or fast heartbeat;

a fever; or

decreased sweat production in hot weather with a feeling of extreme heat.

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Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take benztropine and talk to your doctor if you experience

nausea, vomiting, or constipation;

dry mouth or blurred vision; or

difficulty urinating.

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Rarely, you may also experience any of the following side effects, which may require medical attention:

confusion or hallucinations;

irritability; or

numbness in your hands or feet.

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Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect benztropine?

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Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are taking

a tricyclic antidepressant (used to treat depression, pain, or obsessive-compulsive disorder) such as amitriptyline (Elavil, Endep), doxepin (Sinequan), or clomipramine (Anafranil);

another commonly used tricyclic antidepressant, such as desipramine (Norpramin), imipramine (Tofranil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), or protriptyline (Vivactil);

a phenothiazine (used to treat mania, schizophrenia, other psychiatric conditions, and nausea and vomiting) such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine), fluphenazine (Prolixin), mesoridazine (Serentil), perphenazine (Trilafon), thioridazine (Mellaril), promazine (Sparine), trifluoperazine (Stelazine), and others;

an antihistamine such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl, others), chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton, others), triprolidine (Actifed, others), brompheniramine (Dimetapp, others), clemastine (Tavist), and others (antihistamines are often found in prescription and over-the-counter cold, allergy, and sleep medicines);

amantadine (Symmetrel);

digoxin (Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps); or

haloperidol (Haldol).

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Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with benztropine. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines.

Where can I get more information?

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Your pharmacist has more information about benztropine written for health professionals that you may read.

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Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed

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Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.