What is benztropine?
Benztropine reduces the effects of certain chemicals in the body that may become unbalanced
as a result of disease (such as Parkinson's), drug therapy, or other causes.
Benztropine is used to treat the symptoms of Parkinson's disease, such as muscle spasms,
stiffness, sweating, drooling, and poor muscle control. Benztropine is also used to treat and prevent
these symptoms when they are caused by drugs such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine), fluphenazine
(Prolixin), perphenazine (Trilafon), and others.
Benztropine may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking benztropine?
You should not take this medication if you are allergic to benztropine, or if you are also
taking a medication called pramlintide (Symlin).
If you have certain conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use
this medication. Before you take benztropine, tell your doctor if you have:
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glaucoma;
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kidney or liver disease;
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heart disease, a heart rhythm disorder, or a history of heart
attack or stroke;
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high or low blood pressure;
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asthma, emphysema, or other breathing disorder;
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a nerve disorder;
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a muscle disorder such as myasthenia gravis;
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seizures;
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enlarged prostate;
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overactive thyroid;
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mental illness or dementia;
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infectious diarrhea, ulcerative colitis;
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stomach ulcer, reflux disease, hiatal hernia; or
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a history of bowel obstruction or other intestinal disorder.
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether benztropine is
harmful to an unborn baby. Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to
become pregnant during treatment.
It is not known whether benztropine passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing
baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Older adults may be more likely to have side effects from this medication.
Children may be more likely to have an increased heart rate while taking benztropine.
How should I take benztropine?
Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger
amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your
prescription label.
Take this medicine with a full glass of water.
Benztropine is sometimes given up to 4 times daily, at meals and at bedtime. If you take
benztropine only once per day, it may be best to take the medication at bedtime. Follow your doctor's
instructions.
Benztropine can be taken with food to lessen stomach upset.
Your mouth may feel dry while taking benztropine. To prevent or relieve dry mouth, suck on a
piece of sugar-free hard candy, chew sugar-free gum, drink water, chew on ice chips, or use a saliva
substitute.
Dry mouth may lead to gum disease or cavities. Brush and floss your teeth regularly and see a
dentist for routine check-ups while you are taking benztropine.
It may take up to 3 days of using this medicine before your symptoms improve. For best
results, keep using the medication as directed. Talk with your doctor if your symptoms do not improve
or if they get worse.
Do not stop taking this medication without first talking to your doctor. Stopping suddenly
may make your condition worse. You may need to use less and less before you stop the medication
completely.
Store benztropine at room temperature, away from moisture, heat, and light
What happens if I miss a dose of benztropine?
Benztropine is sometimes taken only when needed, so you may not be on a dosing schedule. If
you are taking the medication regularly, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost
time for your next dose, wait until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose.
Do not
take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Where can I get more information about benztropine?
Your pharmacist has information about benztropine written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of benztropine?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic
reaction:
hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using benztropine and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such
as:
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high fever;
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headache, dizziness, weakness, and hot dry skin with no
sweating;
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feeling like you might pass out;
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severe stomach pain;
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chest pain, fast or uneven heart rate;
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painful or difficult swallowing;
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impotence, trouble having an orgasm;
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urination problems;
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changes in your vision; or
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confusion, unusual thoughts or behavior, hallucinations.
Less serious side effects may include:
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drowsiness, feeling nervous;
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nausea, vomiting, constipation;
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dry mouth, nose, or throat, decreased sweating;
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blurred vision, increased sensitivity to light; or
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warmth, redness, or tingly feeling under your skin.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your
doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at
1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about benztropine?
You should not take this medication if you are allergic to benztropine, or if you are also
taking a medication called pramlintide (Symlin).
Before you take benztropine, tell if you have glaucoma, kidney or liver disease, heart disease,
high blood pressure, a history of heart attack or stroke, a breathing disorder, a nerve or muscle
disorder, seizures, urination problems, overactive thyroid, mental illness, or a stomach or intestinal
disorder.
Avoid taking a diarrhea medication or antacid within 2 hours before or after you take
benztropine. Also avoid taking ketoconazole (Nizoral) within 2 hours after you take benztropine.
Benztropine can cause side effects that may impair your vision, thinking, or reactions. Be
careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert and able to see clearly.
Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated during exercise and in hot weather. Benztropine
can decrease perspiration and you may be more prone to heat stroke.
Do not stop taking this medication without first talking to your doctor. Stopping suddenly
may make your condition worse. You may need to use less and less before you stop the medication
completely.
What should I avoid while taking benztropine?
Avoid taking a diarrhea medication (such as Kaopectate, Donnagel, or Rheaban) or an antacid
(such as Amphojel, Maalox, Mylanta, Rolaids, Rulox, or Tums) within 2 hours before or after you take
benztropine. These medications can make it harder for your body to absorb benztropine, which can
make it less effective.
Also avoid taking ketoconazole (Nizoral) within 2 hours after you take benztropine.
Benztropine can make it harder for your body to absorb ketoconazole.
Benztropine can cause side effects that may impair your vision, thinking, or reactions. Be
careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert and able to see clearly.
Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy. Get up slowly
and steady yourself to prevent a fall.
Avoid drinking alcohol. It can increase some of the side effects of benztropine.
Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated during exercise and in hot weather. Benztropine
can decrease perspiration and you may be more prone to heat stroke.
What other drugs will affect benztropine?
Before using benztropine, tell your doctor if you regularly use other medicines that make
you sleepy (such as cold or allergy medicine, sedatives, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle
relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression, or anxiety). They can add to sleepiness caused by
benztropine.
Tell your doctor about all other medications you use, especially:
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amantadine (Symmetrel);
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donepezil (Aricept);
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galantamine (Razadyne);
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glycopyrrolate (Robinul);
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mepenzolate (Cantil);
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potassium supplements (K-Lyte, K-Dur, Klor-Con, and
others);
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atropine (Atreza, Sal-Tropine), belladonna (Donnatal, and
others), dimenhydrinate (Dramamine), meclizine (Antivert), methscopolamine (Pamine), or
scopolamine (Transderm-Scop);
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an antidepressant;
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bladder or urinary medications such as darifenacin
(Enablex), flavoxate (Urispas), oxybutynin (Ditropan, Oxytrol), tolterodine (Detrol), or
solifenacin (Vesicare);
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bronchodilators such as ipratropium (Atrovent) or
tiotropium (Spiriva);
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a heart rhythm medication such as quinidine (Quinaglute,
Quinidex, Quin-Release), procainamide (Procan, Procanbid, Pronestyl), disopyramide (Norpace),
propafenone, (Rythmol), and others;
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irritable bowel medications such as dicyclomine (Bentyl),
hyoscyamine (Anaspaz, Cystospaz, Levsin, and others), or propantheline (Pro-Banthine);
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an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan),
phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine
(Parnate);
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medicines to treat psychiatric disorders, such as
chlorpromazine (Thorazine), haloperidol (Haldol), risperidone (Risperdal), trazodone (Desyrel),
and others;
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narcotic pain medication; or
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steroid medicine (prednisone and others).
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with
benztropine. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use.
This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start
using a new medication without telling your doctor.
What happens if I have an overdose of benztropine?
