benztropine

Do not take this medication if you are allergic to benztropine.

Before using benztropine, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

• glaucoma;

• a muscle disorder such as myasthenia gravis;

• a history of tremor or uncontrolled muscle movements; or

• a history of bowel obstruction or other intestinal disorder.

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use benztropine, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.

FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. 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.

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.

Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from this medication.

Take this medicine with a full glass of water.

Benztropine can be taken with food to lessen stomach upset.

It may be best to take this medication at bedtime. Follow your doctor’s instructions.

Store benztropine at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at your next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

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 any of these serious side effects:

• fast heartbeat;

• uncontrolled tremor or muscle movements;

• constipation with stomach pain or intestinal cramps;

• problems with speaking or swallowing;

• confusion, unusual thoughts or behavior, hallucinations;

• hot, dry skin without sweating; or

• urinating less than usual or not at all.

Keep taking benztropine and talk to your doctor if you have of these less serious side effects:

• nausea, vomiting, or mild constipation;

• dry mouth;

• blurred vision;

• trouble with memory or concentration;

• feeling nervous or depressed;

• muscle weakness, stiffness, or other problems; or

• numbness or tingling.

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.

Before using benztropine, tell your doctor you have glaucoma, a muscle disorder such as myasthenia gravis, a history of tremor or uncontrolled muscle movements, or a history of bowel obstruction or other intestinal disorder.

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.

Benztropine can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.

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 reduce your body’s ability to sweat, which may result in heat stroke.

Before taking benztropine, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:

• medicines to treat psychiatric disorders, such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine), haloperidol (Haldol), mesoridazine (Serentil), pimozide (Orap), or thioridazine (Mellaril); or

• antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil, Etrafon), amoxapine (Ascendin), clomipramine (Anafranil), desipramine (Norpramin), doxepin (Sinequan), imipramine (Janimine, Tofranil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), protriptyline (Vivactil), or trimipramine (Surmontil).

If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to use benztropine, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.

There may be other drugs not listed that can affect 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.

Seek emergency medical attention of you think you have used too much of this medicine.

Symptoms of a benztropine overdose may include weakness, confusion, hallucinations, loss of balance, dry mouth, constipation, problems urinating, blurred vision, fast or pounding heartbeat, nausea and vomiting, numbness in your fingers, headache, hot or dry skin, dizziness, or fainting.