Cogentin (benztropine mesylate)
Last reviewed · Source: First Databank (FDB) drug data
Overview
Benztropine mesylate is an antimuscarinic antiparkinsonian agent.
USES: Benztropine is used to treat symptoms of Parkinson's disease or involuntary movements due to the side effects of certain psychiatric drugs (antipsychotics such as chlorpromazine/haloperidol). Benztropine belongs to a class of medication called anticholinergics that work by blocking a certain natural substance (acetylcholine). This helps decrease muscle stiffness, sweating, and the production of saliva, and helps improve walking ability in people with Parkinson's disease.
Anticholinergics can stop severe muscle spasms of the back, neck, and eyes that are sometimes caused by psychiatric drugs. It can also decrease other side effects such as muscle stiffness/rigidity (extrapyramidal signs-EPS). It is not helpful in treating movement problems caused by tardive dyskinesia and may worsen them.
Benztropine should not be used by children younger than 3 years.
Generic name: benztropine mesylate
Pronunciation: (BENZ-troe-peen)
Reference product & biosimilars
No reference, biosimilar or interchangeable associated with this drug.
Today’s intelligence on Cogentin
Indications
The following indications are listed for Cogentin:
- Arteriosclerotic Parkinsonism
- Drug-Induced Extrapyramidal Reaction
- Idiopathic Parkinsonism
- Parkinsonism
- Postencephalitic Parkinsonism
Also known as: Drug-Induced Extrapyramidal Symptom, Paralysis Agitans, Parkinsonian Syndrome, Primary Parkinson's Disease, Trembling Palsy.
Dosing
No dosing information is available for this tab.
Benztropine mesylate is administered orally or by IM injection. Parenteral administration should be reserved for patients who cannot take oral medication or for emergency situations, such as acute dystonic reactions, when rapid response is desired. Although benztropine may also be administered IV, the manufacturer states that there is no clinically important difference in onset between IM or IV injection; therefore, IV administration of the drug is rarely necessary.
No dosing information is available for this tab.
No dosing information is available for this tab.
Drug interactions
Concomitant administration of benztropine with other drugs having anticholinergic effects may increase the risk of adverse anticholinergic effects. Concomitant administration of an anticholinergic antiparkinsonian agent (e.g., benztropine) with phenothiazines and/or tricyclic antidepressants may cause paralytic ileus, hyperthermia, or heat intolerance, effects that occasionally have been fatal. Patients who are receiving benztropine concomitantly with phenothiazines, haloperidol, or other drugs with anticholinergic or antidopaminergic activity should notify their clinicians promptly if adverse GI effects, fever, or heat intolerance occurs.
There are no contraindication interactions for this drug.
There are no severe interactions for this drug.
There are no moderate interactions for this drug.
Contraindications
There is no enhanced messaging for this drug.
There are no contraindication contraindications for this drug.
There are no severe contraindications for this drug.
There are no moderate contraindications for this drug.
Adverse reactions
There is no enhanced messaging for this drug.
There are no severe adverse reactions for this drug.
There are no less severe adverse reactions for this drug.
Precautions
No enhanced messaging available.
No enhanced messaging available.
Safe use of benztropine during pregnancy has not been established.
No enhanced messaging available.
No enhanced messaging available.
ICD codes
No ICD codes are available for this drug.
Formulary status
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Last reviewed · Source: First Databank (FDB) drug data
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