Benztropine is used with other medicines to treat Parkinson's disease. By improving muscle control and reducing stiffness, this medicine allows more normal movements of the body as the disease symptoms are reduced. It is also used to control severe reactions to certain medicines that are used to treat nervous, mental, and emotional conditions (e.g., phenothiazine medicine such as prochlorperazine, Compazine®, Mellaril®, Phenergan®, Thorazine®, Trilafon®).

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Take this medicine every day exactly as ordered by your doctor in order to improve your condition as much as possible. Do not take more of it or less of it, and do not take it more or less often than your doctor ordered.

It is important to take this medicine together with other medicines for Parkinson's disease. Be sure to take all of the medicines your doctor ordered, and to take them at the right times.

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Incidence not known

Abdominal or stomach cramps or pain

aggressive and violent behavior

being forgetful

bloating

burning while urinating

confusion about identity, place, and time

constipation

decrease in frequency of urination

decrease in urine volume

diarrhea

difficult or painful urination

difficulty in passing urine (dribbling)

difficulty with speaking

difficulty with swallowing

discouragement

dizziness

dry mouth

extremely high fever or body temperature

fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse

fast, shallow breathing

fast, weak heartbeat

feeling sad or empty

fever

headache

hot, dry skin

irritability

lack of appetite

lack of sweating

listlessness

loss of interest or pleasure

mood or mental changes

muscle cramps

muscle weakness

nervousness

numbness of the fingers

pale, clammy skin

seeing things that are not there

thirst

tiredness

trouble concentrating

trouble with sleeping

vomiting

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:

Symptoms of overdose

Blindness

blurred vision

change in consciousness

cold clammy skin

decreased vision

dizziness

eye pain

holding false beliefs that cannot be changed by fact

lightheadedness

loss of consciousness

muscle weakness

nausea or vomiting

no breathing

nosebleeds

numbness or tingling in the face, arms, or legs

shakiness and unsteady walk

sweating

tearing

unsteadiness, trembling, or other problems with muscle control or coordination

unusual excitement, nervousness, or restlessness

vision problems

wheezing

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Incidence not known

Enlarged pupils

loss of appetite

skin rash

weight loss

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

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

It is important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to allow changes in your dose and to check for any unwanted effects.

Benztropine may cause dizziness, trouble in controlling movements, or trouble in thinking or seeing clearly. Make sure you know how you react to this medicine before you drive, use machines, or do other jobs that require you to be alert, well-coordinated, or able to think or see well.

Do not stop taking this medicine without first checking with your doctor. Your doctor may want you to gradually reduce the amount you are using before stopping completely.

This medicine may make you sweat less, causing your body temperature to increase. Use extra care to avoid becoming overheated during exercise or hot weather while you are taking this medicine, since overheating may result in heat stroke.

This medicine may cause muscle weakness. If you have concerns about this, check with your doctor.

If you develop any unusual or strange thoughts and behavior while receiving benztropine, be sure to discuss it with your doctor. Some changes that have occurred in people receiving this medicine are like those seen in people who drink too much alcohol. Other changes might be confusion, worsening of depression, visual hallucinations (seeing things that are not there), suicidal thoughts, and unusual excitement, nervousness, or irritability.

This medicine will add to the effects of alcohol and other CNS depressants (medicines that make you drowsy or less alert). Some examples of CNS depressants are antihistamines or medicine for hay fever, other allergies, or colds; sedatives, tranquilizers, or sleeping medicine; prescription pain medicine or narcotics; barbiturates; medicine for seizures; muscle relaxants; or anesthetics, including some dental anesthetics. Check with your medical doctor or dentist before taking any of the above while you are taking this medicine.