BENZATROPINE

Benzatropine is a drug that belongs to a class of medicines known as centrally-acting anticholinergic agents. This drug has antihistamine activity. It is able to restore balance between the neurotransmitters acetylcholine and dopamine by antagonising the effect of acetylcholine. This further improves the symptoms of early Parkinson’s disease.

It is used in the treatment of the following:

  • Extrapyramidal side effects of antipsychotic treatment
  • Parkinson’s disease
  • Dystonia

Benzatropine should not be given to children below 3 years old.

Benzatropine may give rise to side effects such as the following:

  • Tachycardia
  • Dry mouth
  • Constipation
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Paralytic ileus
  • Toxic psychosis (including exacerbation of pre-existing psychotic symptoms, disorientation, confusion, memory impairment, visual hallucinations, nervousness, depression, listlessness, finger)
  • Blurred vision
  • Dilated pupils
  • Dysuria
  • Urinary retention
  • Allergic reactions (e.g. skin rash)
  • Fever
  • Severe anhidrosis which may lead to hyperthermia

Precautions

Take extra caution in patients with the following medical conditions:

  • Tachycardia
  • Obstructive disease of the GI tract (e.g. pyloric or duodenal obstruction)
  • Glaucoma
  • Prostatic hyperplasia
  • Urinary stricture or retention
  • During hot weather, especially in those taking atropine-like drugs
  • Chronic illness
  • Alcoholics
  • Brain disease
  • Tardive dyskinesia
  • Pregnancy and lactation

 

Interactions

Benzatropine may interact with the following medicines:

  • Phenothiazines
  • Haloperidol
  • Other drugs with anticholinergic or antidopaminergic activity
  • TCAs
  • CNS depressants (e.g. sedatives and hypnotics, anxiolytics)
  • Ketoconazole
  • Parasympathomimetics (including both direct cholinergic receptor agonists and cholinesterase inhibitors)
  • Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors

Symptoms of overdose include the following:

  • CNS depression preceded or followed by stimulation, nervousness, confusion, listlessness, hallucinations (especially visual)
  • Muscle weakness
  • Ataxia
  • Dizziness
  • Dry mouth
  • Mydriasis
  • Blurred vision
  • Glaucoma
  • Palpitations
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Tachycardia
  • Finger numbness
  • Dysuria
  • Allergic reactions (e.g. skin rash)
  • Dysphagia
  • Headache
  • Constipation
  • Convulsions
  • Delirium
  • Shock
  • Respiratory arrest
  • Anhidrosis
  • Hyperthermia
  • Coma
  • Hot, dry or flushed skin
  • Seek emergency medical help immediately.

 

Available Brand:

  • Cogentin

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