Drug reference

Benztropine

Antimuscarinic · Antiparkinsonian, Antidyskinetic

Also known as Benztropine mesylate, Cogentin

AntimuscarinicAntiparkinsonian, Antidyskinetic

CDSCO approvedSchedule H

EXCRETION

—

not curated

INTERACTIONS

—

none in our sources

PREGNANCY

FDA category + note

Mechanism

Benztropine is a centrally acting antimuscarinic agent. It blocks muscarinic acetylcholine receptors in the central nervous system, thereby reducing cholinergic overactivity associated with parkinsonism and drug-induced dystonia. This action helps to improve tremor and rigidity.

Indications

Drug-induced dystoniaParkinsonismParkinson’s disease (early stages, if tremor is predominant, particularly in young patients)Extrapyramidal symptoms that commonly occur as side effects of conventional antipsychotic drug therapyDrug-induced parkinsonismacute dystoniaTreatment of early PDAdjunct to dopaminergic therapy

Dosing

Adult: 1-6 mg daily, initiated with a low dose and gradually increased until benefit occurs or adverse effects limit further increments.
Max dose: 6 mg daily

Contraindications

Not recommended for elderly patients
Not recommended for demented patients

Side effects

Common

Antimuscarinic adverse effects similar to atropineCognitive impairmentperipheral antimuscarinic adverse effects (e.g., urinary retention, dry mouth, cycloplegia)less sedating than diphenhydraminesedationmental confusionanticholinergic properties

Serious