Trihexyphenidyl Hydrochloride (By mouth)
trye-hex-ee-FEN-i-dil
Treats symptoms of Parkinson‘s disease or side effects of other drugs.
Drug classes
Antiparkinsonian (About this – PubMed Health)
Uses
Uses of This Medicine
Trihexyphenidyl is used alone or together with other medicines (e.g., levodopa) 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.
Trihexyphenidyl is also used to control severe muscle reactions and other side effects from certain medicines that are used to treat severe nausea or nervous, mental, or emotional conditions (e.g., haloperidol [Haldol®], loxapine [Loxitane®], prochlorperazine [Compazine®], promethazine [Phenergan®], thiothixene [Navane®]).
This medicine is available only with your doctor’s prescription.
Other uses (PubMed Health)
How To Use
Tablet, Long Acting Capsule, Liquid
Your doctor will tell you how much to take and how often.
This medicine may be taken before or after meals. Swallow whole. Do not crush, chew, or open the capsules before swallowing.
Measure the oral liquid with a measuring spoon or medicine cup.
If a dose is missed:
Take the missed dose as soon as possible.
If it is almost time for your next regular dose, wait until then to take your medicine, and skip the missed dose.
You should not use two doses at the same time.
How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine:
Store at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Do not freeze the oral liquid.
Keep all medicine out of the reach of children.
Drugs and Foods to Avoid
Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.
Avoid drinking alcohol while taking this medicine.
Make sure your doctor knows if you are taking any other medicines that may make you sleepy such as sleeping pills, cold and allergy medicine, muscle relaxants, tranquilizers, or narcotic pain killers.
When Not To Use
You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to trihexyphenidyl.
Warnings
Talk with your doctor before taking this medicine if you have glaucoma, an enlarged prostate, bowel or stomach problems, fast or irregular heartbeat, liver, heart, or kidney disease, or any other medical problems.
This medicine may cause drowsiness. Be careful if you are driving, using machinery, or doing other dangerous jobs.
This medicine may make you sweat less and cause your body to get too hot. Be careful during hot weather, while you are exercising, or if using a sauna or whirlpool.
Possible side effects
Summary More details
Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:
Confusion or agitation
Hearing or seeing or unusual things
Severe stomach pain or constipation
Pain when urinating or decrease in amount of urine
Fast or irregular heartbeat
Eye pain
If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:
Dry mouth
Dizziness or drowsiness
Nausea
Nervousness
Blurred vision
If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
More side effects of this drug
Brand names include
Artane, Trihexane, Tritane
There may be other brand names for this medicine.