Benztropine

  • Brand Name : Cogentin
  • Drug Class : Antiparkinson Agents, Anticholinergics
  • Medical Author : John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP
  • Medical Reviewer :
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What Is Benztropine and How Does It Work?

Benztropine is used to treat symptoms of Parkinson’s disease or involuntary movements due to the side effects of certain psychiatric drugs (antipsychotics such as chlorpromazine/haloperidol). Benztropine belongs to a class of medication called anticholinergics that work by blocking a certain natural substance (acetylcholine). This helps decrease muscle stiffness, sweating, and the production of saliva, and helps improve walking ability in people with Parkinson’s disease.

Anticholinergics such as benztropine can stop severe muscle spasms of the back, neck, and eyes that are sometimes caused by psychiatric drugs. It can also decrease other side effects such as muscle stiffness/rigidity (extrapyramidal signs-EPS). It is not helpful in treating movement problems caused by tardive dyskinesia and may worsen them. Benztropine should not be used in children younger than 3 years.

  • Benztropine is available under the following different brand names: Cogentin.

What Are Dosages of Benztropine?

Dosages of Benztropine:

Adult and Pediatric Dosage Forms and Strengths

Tablet

  • 0.5mg
  • 1mg
  • 2mg

Injectable solution

  • 1 mg/MmL

Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows:

Parkinsonism

Adult:

  • Postencephalitic parkinsonism: 1-2 mg/day (range, 0.5-6 mg/day) orally/intravenously/intramuscularly at bedtime or divided every 6-12 hours; may consider lower dose or 0.5 mg at bedtime in highly sensitive patients; not to exceed 6 mg/day
  • Idiopathic parkinsonism: 0.5-1 mg at bedtime initially; titrate dose in 0.5-mg increments every 5-6 days (range 0.5-6 mg daily; some patients may need 4-6 mg/day); not to exceed 6 mg/day

Geriatric:

  • 0.5 mg orally once daily or every 12 hours; titrate dose in 0.5-mg increments every 5-6 days; not to exceed 4 mg/day

Drug-Induced Extrapyramidal Disorders

  • Adult: 1-2 mg intravenously/intramuscularly/orally every 8-12 hours; reevaluate after 1-2 weeks
  • Acute dystonia: 1-2 mg intravenously (IV), then 1-2 mg orally once or twice daily for 7-28 days to prevent a recurrence
  • Children over 3 years: 0.02-0.05 mg/kg intravenously/intramuscularly/orally once daily or every 12 hours
  • Children under 3 years: Not recommended

Dosing considerations, geriatric

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