Benztropine (Injection)

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used

Warnings While Using This Medicine

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breast feeding, or if you have glaucoma, bowel or stomach problems, enlarged prostate, heart disease, or heart rhythm problems. Tell your doctor if you have a history of mental problems, if you drink a lot of alcohol or drink alcohol every day, or if you have a disease that affects your nervous system. Make sure your doctor knows if you have jerky muscle movements caused by using another medicine. Tell your doctor about any other medical problems you may have.
• This medicine may keep you from sweating enough, which may cause your body to get too hot. Be careful in hot weather, or while doing activities such as exercising or using a sauna or whirlpool.
• This medicine may make you drowsy or cause you to have trouble thinking clearly. Avoid driving, using machines, or doing anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert.
• Tell your doctor if this medicine causes muscle weakness. If your neck muscles are stiff and suddenly become weak, your doctor may need to lower the dose you are taking.
• Your doctor will need to check your progress at regular visits while you are using this medicine. Be sure to keep all appointments.

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088

How to Use This Medicine

Injectable

• A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine. Your doctor will prescribe your exact dose, and how often it should be given. This medicine is given as a shot into one of your muscles, or into a vein.

If a dose is missed:

• Call your doctor, pharmacist, or home health caregiver for instructions.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Do not drink alcohol while you are using this medicine.
• Tell your doctor if you are using any medicines that make you sleepy. These include sleeping pills, cold and allergy medicine, narcotic pain relievers, and sedatives.
• Make sure your doctor knows if you are taking a phenothiazine medicine such as prochlorperazine, Compazine®, Mellaril®, Phenergan®, Thorazine®, or Trilafon®. These medicines can be used to treat severe vomiting, psychiatric problems, or other conditions.
• Tell your doctor if you are taking a tricyclic antidepressant medicine such as amitriptyline, doxepin, nortriptyline, Elavil®, Pamelor®, or Sinequan®. Also tell your doctor if you are taking haloperidol (Haldol®).

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Confusion or extreme behavior changes.
• Fast or uneven heartbeat
• Jerky muscle movement you cannot control (often in your face, tongue, or jaw).
• Seeing or hearing unusual things.
• Severe diarrhea, constipation, swollen belly, or pain in the stomach.
• Severe dry mouth that causes trouble swallowing or speaking, loss of appetite, or weight loss.
• Severe eye pain.
• Unable to sweat, feeling overheated, or having a fever.

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Blurred vision.
• Dry mouth.
• Nausea or vomiting.
• Trouble urinating.

Introduction

Benztropine (BENZ-troe-peen)

Treats symptoms of Parkinson's disease or side effects of other drugs.

Brand Name(s)

Cogentin