Benztropoine

Action: central acting anticholinergic (must get into the brain, so it’s a tertiary amine)

Indication: Parkinson’s Disease adjunct; counteracts extrapyramidal symptoms (movement disorders) caused by neuroleptic drugs (e.g., phenothiazines).

Rationale: symptoms of disease are in part due to excess cholinergic action in basal ganglia neurons.

Contraindicated: narrow angle glaucoma, myasthenia gravis, obstructive disease of G.I. or bladder or urinary tract

Side effects: xerostomia, constipation, urinary retention, tachycardia, blurred vision, diminished sweating (anhidrosis), CNS symptoms (agitation, irritability, delirium, toxic psychosis, insomnia).

Dental aspects: xerostomia induced caries, risk of candidiasis, drowsiness, blurred vision may necessitate caution about driving.

Category: Pharmacology Notes