Health Library

Benztropine mesylate (By mouth)

Benztropine Mesylate (BENZ-troe-peen MES-i-late)

Treats symptoms of Parkinson's disease or side effects of other drugs.

Brand Name(s):

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Liquid, Tablet

• Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.
• Oral liquid: Measure the oral liquid medicine with a marked measuring spoon, oral syringe, or medicine cup.
• Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Some medicines can affect how benztropine works. Tell your doctor if you are using medicine for depression or mental illness (including haloperidol, phenothiazines, or TCAs).
• Tell your doctor if you use anything else that makes you sleepy. Some examples are allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, and alcohol.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, glaucoma, stomach or bowel problems, enlarged prostate, tardive dyskinesia, or heart rhythm problems. Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol.
• This medicine may cause the following problems:
  • Stomach or bowel problems (including paralytic ileus)
  • Glaucoma
• This medicine may make you drowsy. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.
• This medicine may make you sweat less and cause your body to get too hot. Be careful in hot weather, while you are exercising, or if using a sauna or whirlpool.
• Your doctor will check your progress and the effects of this medicine at regular visits. Keep all appointments.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Confusion or excitement, seeing or hearing things that are not there
• Decrease in urine volume, painful urination
• Fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat
• Muscle weakness, difficulty with moving
• Severe eye pain, constipation, or stomach pain
• Unexplained high fever

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Blurred vision
• Dry mouth
• Nausea, vomiting
• Trouble urinating

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

Last Updated: 9/6/2024