Trihexyphenidyl Description

Generic Name : TRIHEXYPHENIDYL

Pronunciation : (trye hex ee fen' i dill)

Trade Name(s) : Benzhexol, Pacitane, Parbenz

Why it is prescribed: Trihexyphenidyl is used to treat Parkinson's disease and to control the side effects of certain other drugs.

When it is to be taken: Trihexyphenidyl is usually taken three or four times a day. Extended- release capsules are taken once a day or twice a day, every 12 hours. Follow the instructions on your prescription label carefully.

How it should be taken: Trihexyphenidyl comes in the form of tablets, oral liquid, and long acting capsules. Your prescription label tells you how much to take at each dose. Do not open extended-release capsules and do not chew tablets. Swallow them whole. Trihexyphenidyl has a bitter taste and may cause tingling and numbness in the mouth.

Special Instruction :
1. Your doctor may want you to start with a small dose and to increase your dosage gradually after your response to trihexyphenidyl is determined.
2. Keep all appointments with your doctor. Do not change your dose on your own.
3. If you take antacids, take them at least one hour after you take trihexyphenidyl.
4. This drug may stop you from sweating normally, so you may be more likely to suffer sunstroke. Therefore, do not exert yourself on a hot day, in a heated place, or out in the sunshine.
5. Trihexyphenidyl can cause blurred vision and drowsiness. Do not drive a car or operate dangerous machinery until you know how this drug affects you.
6. If this drug loses its effectiveness. Contact your doctor.
7. If you forget to take a dose, take the missed dose as soon as you remember it and take any remaining doses for that day at evenly spaced intervals. However, if you remember a missed dose near the time you are scheduled to take the next dose, omit the missed dose and take only the regularly scheduled dose.

Side Effects :
1. Nausea, vomiting. Take the medication with meals. If these effects persist or are severe, contact your doctor.
2. Dry mouth. Chew sugarless gum, suck sugarless mints, or use a saliva substitute.
3. Blurred vision, dizziness, nervousness. If these effects are severe or persist, contact your doctor.

Other Precautions :
1. Before you take trihexphenidyl, tell your doctor your entire medical history, especially if you have an overactive thyroid gland, stomach ulcers, myasthenia gravis, glaucoma, difficulty urinating, high blood pressure, or heart, liver, kidney, lung, or intestinal disease.
2. Women who are pregnant or breast-feeding should inform their doctors.
3. Before you take this drug, tell your doctor what prescription and nonprescription drugs you are taking, especially tranquilizers, antidepressants, heart medication, amantadine, glutethimide, and antihistamines.
4. If you are also taking a tranquilizer, antidepressant, or heart drug and you develop stomach or intestinal problems or a fever, contact your doctor immediately.
5. Do not allow anyone else to take this medication.

Storage Conditions :
1. Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of the reach of children.
2. Store it at room temperature.