Drug info - Benztropine

[Riconoen {UGC}]

swim got recently prescribes this to help with his anti psychotic side effects. swim was wondering what exactly it does since google gets nothing, swim thinks its a downer so he posted it here...

[Jatelka]

Benztropine is designated chemically as 3a-( Diphenylmethoxy)-1 aH, 5aH- tropane methanesulfonate. It is not a downer/sleeping pill but an anticholinergic and antihistamine (therefore thread moved to "Various")

It is used to reduce the extra-pyramidal side effects of neuroleptics, but has no effect on tardive dyskinesia. It is also licensed as an adjunct in the treatment of idiopathic Parkinsonism.

Recommended dosage (for abolishing extrapyramidal effects) is 1 to 4 mg once or twice a day orally. In acute dystonic reactions 1-2ml of the parenteral formula is given iv or im.

Side effects:

Cardiovascular.Tachycardia.

Digestive: Paralytic ileus, constipation, nausea, vomiting and dry mouth. Nervous System: Toxic psychosis including confusion, disorientation, memory impairment and visual hallucination; exacerbation of pre-existing psychotic symptoms; nervousness; depression; listlessness: numbness of fingers.

Special Senses: Blurred vision, dilated pupils.

Urogenital: Urinary retention, dysuria

(all of the above are related to it's anti-cholinergic effects)

Other: Heat stroke, hyperthermia, fever, allergy/anaphylaxis.

Warnings/Cautions: May cause drowsiness/impair ability to perform motor task. Should be used with caution in those taking phenothiazines and tricyclic antidepressants as will have additive anti-cholinergic adverse effects. May cause anhidrosis (decreased sweating) so should be used with caution in hot weather/hot environments.

Sources: BNF and another site

[Forthesevenlakes]

As benztropine is an anticholinergic and antihistamine, recreational use or taking more than the reccomended dose is potentially dangerous and not reccomended. Imagine the bizarre cognitive distortions and delusions of delerient antihistamines like diphenhydramine and the physical unpleasantness, not to mention likelihood of physical danger, of atropine-type drugs. This drug sounds like a combination of these symptoms...abuse of this would probably rank very high on the list of worst things ever.

[Nagognog2]

Paradoxically, benztropine is given to people on extended dosage plans involving phenothiazines used for psychosis. This being to reduce any symptomology of dyskinesia. Also quite commonly prescribed for those with Parkinson's disease. Some dumb monkey's have tried this drug as a recreational hallucinogen. The effects would likely be similar to that of atropine/scopolamine. Read: You'd need to be put in restraints in a hospital bed until you stopped trying to go for a walk by way of a window.

[Nicaine]

Originally Posted by Jatelka

Benztropine is designated chemically as 3a-( Diphenylmethoxy)-1 aH, 5aH- tropane methanesulfonate. It is not a downer/sleeping pill but an anticholinergic and antihistamine (therefore thread moved to "Various")

Uggh, SWIM really dislikes this class of drugs. Ever since he had panic disorder in the late 80s and was prescribed hydroxyzine for it, making him (A) extremely drowsy, and (B) even more panicky as he kept trying to fight off daytime sleepiness. Despite attempts, these drugs don't even work well as sleeping medications for SWIM (half the time causing extreme agitation instead of drowsiness, the other half drowsiness with a built-in inability to actually fall asleep).

SWIM thinks maybe a half-dose for a runny nose or sneezing might be the extent of any 'recreational' potential.

[Nagognog2]

Using benztropine for a runny nose would be the equivalent of using a body-cast for a paper-cut. Get some DayQuil. Geesh!

[Riconoen {UGC}]

alright thanx for the info.