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- $Unique_ID{BRK03369}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{trihexyphenidyl}
- $Subject{Artane Lederle Sequels Trihexane Rugby Trihexy Geneva Generics
- hydrochloride Antiparkinsonism trihexyphenidyl Parkinson disease side effects
- phenothiazine tranquilizers chemicals brain}
- $Volume{}
- $Log{}
-
- Copyright (C) 1993 Publications International, Ltd.
-
-
- trihexyphenidyl
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- BRAND NAMES (Manufacturers)
-
- Artane (Lederle)
- Artane Sequels (Lederle)
- Trihexane (Rugby)
- Trihexy (Geneva Generics)
- trihexyphenidyl hydrochloride (various manufacturers)
-
- TYPE OF DRUG
-
- Antiparkinsonism agent
-
- INGREDIENT
-
- trihexyphenidyl
-
- DOSAGE FORMS
-
- Tablets (2 mg and 5 mg)
- Sustained-release capsules (5 mg)
- Oral elixir (2 mg per 5-ml spoonful, with 5% alcohol)
-
- STORAGE
-
- Store at room temperature in a tightly closed container. This medication
- should never be frozen.
-
- USES
-
- Trihexyphenidyl is used to treat the symptoms of Parkinson's disease or
- to control the side effects of phenothiazine tranquilizers. It is thought to
- act by balancing certain chemicals in the brain.
-
- TREATMENT
-
- In order to reduce stomach irritation, you should take trihexyphenidyl
- with food or just after a meal.
- Antacids and antidiarrheal medications prevent the absorption of this
- medication from the gastrointestinal tract, so at least one hour should
- separate doses of trihexyphenidyl and one of these medicines.
- The oral elixir form of this medication should be measured carefully with
- a specially designed 5-ml measuring spoon.
- The sustained-release capsules should be swallowed whole. Chewing,
- crushing, or breaking the capsules destroys their sustained-release activity
- and possibly increases the side effects.
- If you miss a dose of this medication, take the missed dose as soon as
- possible, unless it is within two hours of the next dose of the tablets or
- oral elixir or within eight hours of the next dose of the sustained-release
- capsules. In that case, do not take the missed dose at all; just return to
- your regular dosing schedule. Do not double the next dose.
-
- SIDE EFFECTS
-
- Minor.
-
- Bloating; blurred vision; constipation; decreased sweating; dizziness;
- drowsiness; dry mouth, throat, and nose; false sense of well-being; headache;
- increased sensitivity of the eyes to light; muscle cramps; nausea;
- nervousness; and weakness. These side effects should disappear as your body
- adjusts to the medication.
- If you are constipated, increase the amount of fiber in your diet (fresh
- fruits and vegetables, salads, bran, whole-grain breads), exercise, and drink
- more water (unless your doctor directs you to do otherwise).
- Chew sugarless gum or suck on ice chips or a piece of hard candy to
- reduce mouth dryness.
- Wear sunglasses if you find that your eyes have become sensitive to
- light.
- If you feel dizzy, sit or lie down for a while; get up slowly from a
- sitting or reclining position, and be careful on stairs.
-
- Major.
-
- Tell your doctor about any side effects that are persistent or
- particularly bothersome. IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about
- confusion, depression, difficulty in urinating, hallucinations, involuntary
- muscle movements, numbness or tingling of the fingers or toes, palpitations,
- or unusual excitement.
-
- INTERACTIONS
-
- Trihexyphenidyl interacts with other types of medications:
- 1. It can cause extreme drowsiness when combined with alcohol or other
- central nervous system depressants (drugs that slow the activity of the brain
- and spinal cord), such as antihistamines, barbiturates, benzodiazepine
- tranquilizers, muscle relaxants, narcotics, and pain medications, or with
- tricyclic antidepressants.
- 2. Amantadine, antihistamines, haloperidol, monoamine oxidase (MAO)
- inhibitors, phenothiazine tranquilizers, procainamide, quinidine, and
- tricyclic antidepressants can increase the side effects of trihexyphenidyl.
- At least 14 days should separate the use of this drug and the use of an MAO
- inhibitor.
- 3. Trihexyphenidyl can decrease the effectiveness of chlorpromazine.
- 4. Trihexyphenidyl can decrease the effectiveness of the drug levodopa.
- BE SURE TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about any medications you are currently
- taking.
-
- WARNINGS
-
- * Tell your doctor about unusual reactions you have had to any
- medications, especially to trihexyphenidyl.
- * Tell your doctor if you now have or if you have ever had achalasia,
- glaucoma, heart disease, myasthenia gravis, blockage of the intestinal or
- urinary tract, enlarged prostate gland, stomach ulcers, or thyroid disease.
- * If this drug makes you dizzy or drowsy, avoid any activity that
- requires alertness.
- * This medication can decrease sweating and heat release from the body.
- You should, therefore, try not to get overheated (avoid exercising strenuously
- in hot weather, and do not take hot baths, showers, or saunas).
- * Your doctor may recommend periodic eye exams to check pressure in your
- eyes.
- * Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant. Although
- trihexyphenidyl appears to be safe during pregnancy, extensive studies have
- not been conducted. Also, tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding an
- infant. Small amounts of this medication may pass into breast milk.
-
- ----------------
-
- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
- the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your
- doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
- problem.
-