What Is Trihexyphenidyl Used For?

Trihexyphenidyl is used for treating extrapyramidal disorders caused by antipsychotic medications. It can also be combined with other drugs to treat Parkinson's disease and other similar conditions. Occasionally, healthcare providers may also recommend off-label trihexyphenidyl uses. Using trihexyphenidyl to treat excessive salivation due to medications or other causes is considered an off-label use.

Trihexyphenidyl Uses: An Overview

Trihexyphenidyl hydrochloride (Artane®) is a prescription medication. It belongs to a group of medicines known as anticholinergics. It is approved to treat the following conditions:
 
  • Parkinson's disease and other similar conditions (when used in combination with other medications)
  • Extrapyramidal disorders (movement or muscle tension disorders) caused by antipsychotic medications.
     

Trihexyphenidyl for Parkinsonism

Trihexyphenidyl is approved to treat parkinsonism, which includes Parkinson's disease and several other Parkinson's-like conditions. Specifically, it is approved to treat the following:
 
  • Parkinson's disease
  • Postencephalic parkinsonism
  • Arteriosclerotic parkinsonism.
     
(Please see Parkinsonism for more information on these different types of parkinsonism.)
 
Although other types of medications (typically carbidopa-levodopa medicines) are the mainstay of Parkinson's disease treatment, trihexyphenidyl can be helpful when used in addition to such medications.
 

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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;
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