Cogentin (Benztropine Mesylate)

(benz' troe peen)

Benztropine mesylate is used to treat the symptoms of Parkinson's disease and tremors caused by other medical problems or drugs. This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Benztropine mesylate comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It usually is taken at bedtime. It may be taken two or three times a day to treat tremors caused by other medical problems or drugs. You may not notice any improvement in your condition for 1-2 days. You may have to take benztropine mesylate for a long time to treat Parkinson's disease. However, it may only be needed for 1-2 weeks if your tremors are caused by other medical problems or drugs. Your doctor may start with a small dose and increase it slowly after seeing your response to benztropine mesylate. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take benztropine mesylate exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. Do not stop taking benztropine mesylate suddenly without talking with your doctor, especially if you are also taking other medications. Sudden stoppage can cause symptoms of Parkinson's disease to return.

Before taking benztropine mesylate,
• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to benztropine mesylate or any other drugs.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially amantadine (Symmetrel), digoxin (Lanoxin), haloperidol (Haldol), levodopa (Larodopa, Sinemet), tranquilizers such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine) or thioridazine (Mellaril), and vitamins.
• tell your doctor if you have or have ever had kidney or liver disease; glaucoma; heart or blood pressure problems; myasthenia gravis; or problems with your urinary system, prostate, or stomach.
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking benztropine mesylate, call your doctor.
• if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking benztropine mesylate.
• you should know that this drug may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this drug affects you.
• remember that alcohol can add to the drowsiness caused by this drug.
• plan to avoid unnecessary or prolonged exposure to sunlight and to wear protective clothing, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Benztropine mesylate may make your skin sensitive to sunlight.

Benztropine mesylate may cause an upset stomach. Take benztropine mesylate with food or milk.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you take benztropine mesylate once a day at bedtime and do not remember it until the next morning, skip the missed dose. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

Side effects from benztropine mesylate are common. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• drowsiness
• dry mouth
• difficulty urinating
• constipation

If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

• skin rash
• fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeat
• fever
• confusion
• depression
• delusions or hallucinations
• eye pain

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website (http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p) for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program. It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. http://www.upandaway.org

In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services at 911.

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor may order certain lab tests to check your response to benztropine mesylate. Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription. It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.