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Benztropine mesylate oral
O General Information and Indications:
Benztropine mesylate is used to treat
the symptoms of Parkinson's disease and tremors caused by other medical
problems or drugs.
O Information For Users:
Benztropine mesylate comes as a tablet to take by
mouth. It is usually taken at bedtime. It may be taken two or three times a
day to treat tremors caused by other medical problems or drugs. You may not
notice any improvement in your condition for 1-2 days. You may have to take
benztropine mesylate for a long time to treat Parkinson's disease. However,
it may only be needed for 1-2 weeks if your tremors are caused by other
medical problems or drugs.
Your doctor may start with a small dose and increase it slowly after seeing
your response to benztropine mesylate. Follow the directions on your
prescription label, ask your doctor or pharmacist If you have any questions.
Take benztropine mesylate exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of
it or take it more often than prescribed by your health care provider.
Do not discontinue taking benztropine mesylate suddenly without talking with
your doctor, especially if you are also taking other medications. Sudden
stoppage can cause symptoms of Parkinson=s disease to return.
Other uses for this medicine
Benztropine mesylate is also used occasionally in geriatric patients who
cannot take cerebral-stimulating medicine. Talk with your doctor about the
possible risks of using this drug for your condition.
O Special
precautions:
o Inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have
allergy to benztropine mesylate or any other medications.
o Inform your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription
medications you are taking, especially amantadine (Symmetrel), digoxin (Lanoxin),
haloperidol (Haldol), levodopa (Larodopa, Sinemet), tranquilizers such as
chlorpromazine (Thorazine) or thioridazine (Mellaril), and vitamins.
o inform your doctor if you are breast-feeding kidney or liver disease;
glaucoma; heart or blood pressure problems; myasthenia gravis; or problems
with your urinary system, prostate, or stomach.
o Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are
breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking benztropine mesylate,
call your doctor.
o if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, Inform your doctor or
dentist that you are taking benztropine mesylate.
o you should know that this drug may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or
operate machinery until you know how this drug affects you.
o remember that alcohol can add to the drowsiness caused by this drug.
o plan to avoid unnecessary or prolonged exposure to sunlight and to wear
protective clothing, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Benztropine mesylate may
make your skin sensitive to sunlight.
Benztropine mesylate may cause an upset stomach. Take benztropine mesylate
with food or milk.
O
Possible Adverse
Effects:
Side effects from benztropine mesylate are
common. Inform your doctor if any of the following symptoms are severe or do
not go away:
o drowsiness
o dry mouth
o difficulty in urination
o constipation
If you have any of the following symptoms, call your doctor without delay:
o skin rash
o fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeat
o fever
o confusion
o depression
o delusions or hallucinations
o eye pain
O Possible Symptoms
of Overdose:
o excitement
o confusion
o nervousness
o seeing things that do not exist (hallucinating)
o dizziness
o muscle weakness
o dry mouth
o blurred vision (Impaired vision)
o rapid or pounding heartbeat
o upset stomach
o vomiting
o painful urination
o difficulty swallowing
o skin rash
o headache
o dry, hot, flushed skin
o blood in the vomit (Hematemesis)
o seizure
o coma
o heat stroke
o heartburn
o constipation
O Brand Name(s):
o Cogentin® |
