Benztropine (BENZ-troe-peen)

Treats symptoms of Parkinson disease or side effects of other drugs.

Brand Name(s):

Cogentin

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Injectable

• A nurse or other health provider will give you this medicine. Your doctor will prescribe your exact dose, and tell you how often it will be given. This medicine is given as a shot into one of your muscles, or into a vein.
• Missed dose: Call your doctor, pharmacist, or home caregiver for instructions.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Some foods and medicines may affect how benztropine works. Tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following:
  • Haloperidol
  • A phenothiazine medicine, such as prochlorperazine, chlorpromazine, perphenazine, promethazine, thioridazine
  • A tricyclic antidepressant medicine, such as amitriptyline, doxepin, nortriptyline

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have glaucoma, bowel or stomach problems, an enlarged prostate, heart disease, or heart rhythm problems. Tell your doctor if you have a history of mental problems, or if you have a disease that affects your nervous system. Tell your doctor if you have jerky muscle movements caused by another medicine.
• This medicine may keep you from sweating enough, which may cause your body to get too hot. Be careful in hot weather, and while you exercise or use a sauna or whirlpool.
• This medicine may make you drowsy or cause you to have trouble thinking clearly. Do not drive or do anything that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.
• Tell your doctor if your neck muscles become stiff and suddenly weak. Your doctor may need to lower the dose you are taking.
• Your doctor will check your progress and the effects of this medicine at regular visits. Keep all appointments.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Confusion or extreme behavior changes
• Fast or uneven heartbeat
• Jerky muscle movements you cannot control (often in your face, tongue, or jaw)
• Seeing or hearing things that are not real
• Severe constipation, or pain in your abdomen
• Severe dry mouth that causes trouble swallowing or speaking, loss of appetite, or weight loss
• Unable to sweat, or feeling overheated

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Blurred vision
• Nausea or vomiting
• Trouble urinating

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088