What is Benztropine Mesylate?

Benztropine mesylate helps people regain control of their muscle movements. The medication comes in injectable and tablet formulations, both of which can cause serious dehydration.

Uses

• The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the use of benztropine for treating parkinsonism (impaired speech, shaking, slow movement) and for managing the agitation, muscle spasms and tremors that can result from taking antipsychotic medications.

Dosing

• The effective daily dose for treating parkinsonism in most patients ranges from 1 mg to 2 mg. Take between 1 mg and 4 mg each day to control extrapyramidal symptoms. Physicians may increase the daily dose to 6 mg for patients who do not respond to lower doses.

Side Effects

• Benztropine can produce abdominal cramps and pain, confusion, decreased urination, depressed mood, dizziness, dry mouth, fever, forgetfulness, irregular heartbeat, lack of sweating (anhidrosis), sleeping problems, visual hallucinations and vomiting.

Warnings

• Do not administer benztropine to children younger than three years of age. Also, because benztropine has a strong dehydrating effect, use the medication cautiously during hot weather or in patients taking other medications that produce dry mouth as a significant side effect.

Products

• Lundbeck took over production of an injectable version of benztropine for the U.S. market under the brand name Cogentin from Merck. Unbranded tablet formulations of the medications are produced by Actavis. Corepharma, Par, Pliva, USL and Vintage.