Benztropine

Benztropine Mesylate Information

What Is Benztropine?

Benztropine mesylate (Cogentin^®) is a prescription medication approved for treating the following conditions:

Parkinson's disease and other similar conditions (when used in combination with other medications)
Extrapyramidal symptoms (movement or muscle tension disorders) caused by antipsychotic medications.

(Click What Is Benztropine Used For? for more information, including possible off-label uses.)

Side Effects of Benztropine

Common side effects of benztropine include, but are not limited to:

Constipation
Nausea
Dry mouth
Confusion or memory problems
Blurred vision (often caused by dry eyes)
Difficulty passing urine.

(Click Side Effects of Benztropine to learn more, including potentially serious side effects that you should report immediately to your healthcare provider.)

What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider?

Talk with your healthcare provider prior to taking benztropine if you have:

Glaucoma
Difficulty passing urine
An enlarged prostate (also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH)
Tardive dyskinesia (a specific type of extrapyramidal symptoms due to antipsychotic medications)
An alcohol problem
A rapid heart rate (tachycardia)
A job that requires you to do manual labor in the heat
Any allergies, including allergies to foods, dyes, or preservatives.

Also, let your healthcare provider know if you are:

Pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant (see Cogentin and Pregnancy)
Breastfeeding (see Cogentin and Breastfeeding).

Make sure to tell your healthcare provider about any other medications you are taking, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

(Click Precautions and Warnings With Benztropine to learn more, including information on who should not take the drug.)

Dosing Information

The dosage that your healthcare provider recommends will vary, depending on a number of factors, including:

The medical condition being treated
How you respond to benztropine (especially if you develop side effects)
Other medications you are taking
Other medical conditions you may have.

As is always the case, do not adjust your dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.

(Click Benztropine Dosage for more information.)

Drug Interactions With Benztropine

Benztropine can potentially interact with a number of other medicines (see Drug Interactions With Benztropine).

What If I Take an Overdose?

Taking too much benztropine may cause the following symptoms:

Drowsiness, followed by hyperactivity
Confusion
Nervousness
Hallucinations
Dizziness or coordination problems
Dry mouth
Blurred vision
A rapid heart rate (tachycardia)
High blood pressure (hypertension)
Nausea and vomiting
Headaches
Coma
Seizures
Fever
Glaucoma
Constipation.

If you happen to take too much benztropine, seek immediate medical attention.

(Click Cogentin Overdose for more information.)

How Should Benztropine Be Stored?

The tablets should be stored at room temperature, away from moisture, heat, and light. Keep benztropine and all other medications out of the reach of children.

What Should I Do If I Miss a Dose?

If you forget to take a dose of benztropine, take your missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule. Do not take a double dose of the medication.

How Does It Work?

Benztropine is an anticholinergic medication. It works by blocking the effects of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter (a chemical in the nervous system). Normal muscle movement control requires a careful balance of acetylcholine and dopamine (another neurotransmitter). In Parkinson's disease (and with extrapyramidal disorders caused by antipsychotic medications), dopamine levels are decreased, creating an imbalance between dopamine and acetylcholine. By blocking the effects of acetylcholine, benztropine helps to re-establish a normal balance between dopamine and acetylcholine.

Benztropine also has antihistamine effects, but these effects are not considered important for treating Parkinson's disease or extrapyramidal symptoms.

When and How to Take Benztropine

Some general considerations for when and how to take the medication include the following:

Benztropine comes in tablet form. It is taken by mouth, usually one to four times daily. It is also available in an injectable form for use in certain situations.
If you take it just once a day, it is usually recommended to take it at bedtime.
You can take it with food or on an empty stomach.
Make sure to take benztropine at the same time(s) each day to maintain an even level of the medication in your blood.
For the medication to work properly, it must be taken as prescribed. It will not work if you stop taking it. Do not suddenly stop taking the drug without first talking to your healthcare provider.

Who Makes It?

Brand-name benztropine tablets were originally made by Merck & Co., Inc., but are no longer available. Generic benztropine tablets are made by various manufacturers (see Generic Cogentin for more information). Injectable benztropine is only available as a brand-name product (no generic form of injectable benztropine is available). It is sold under the brand-name Cogentin and is made by Ovation Pharmaceuticals.

Strengths of Benztropine

Brand-name benztropine is no longer available. Generic benztropine tablets are available in the following strengths:

Benztropine 0.5 mg
Benztropine 1 mg
Benztropine 2 mg.

Brand-name injectable benztropine is still available (in 2 mL ampules, with 1 mg of benztropine per mL).