BENZTROPINE Drug Interactions: What You Need to Know

Drug Interactions Antipsychotic drugs such as phenothiazines or haloperidol; tricyclic antidepressants [ see WARNINGS ].

CONTRAINDICATIONS Hypersensitivity to benztropine mesylate tablets or to any component of the tablets. Because of its atropine-like side effects, this drug is contraindicated in pediatric patients under three years of age, and should be used with caution in older pediatric patients.

WARNINGS Safe use in pregnancy has not been established. Benztropine mesylate injection, USP may impair mental and/or physical abilities required for performance of hazardous tasks, such as operating machinery or driving a motor vehicle.

When

Benztropine mesylate injection, USP is given concomitantly with phenothiazines, haloperidol, or other drugs with anticholinergic or antidopaminergic activity, patients should be advised to report gastrointestinal complaints, fever or heat intolerance promptly. Paralytic ileus, hyperthermia and heat stroke, all of which have sometimes been fatal, have occurred in patients taking anticholinergic-type antiparkinsonism drugs, including Benztropine mesylate injection, USP in combination with phenothiazines and/or tricyclic antidepressants.

Since

Benztropine mesylate injection, USP contains structural features of atropine, it may produce anhidrosis. For this reason, it should be administered with caution during hot weather, especially when given concomitantly with other atropine-like drugs to the chronically ill, the alcoholic, those who have central nervous system disease, and those who do manual labor in a hot environment. Anhidrosis may occur more readily when some disturbance of sweating already exists. If there is evidence of anhidrosis, the possibility of hyperthermia should be considered. Dosage should be decreased at the discretion of the physician so that the ability to maintain body heat equilibrium by perspiration is not impaired. Severe anhidrosis and fatal hyperthermia have occurred.