What are the precautions of taking benztropine?

Hello,

Benztropine can cause drowsiness, confusion, or other mental problems that may interfere with your ability to drive or operate heavy machinery.

Benztropine can inhibit the body's ability to cool itself by sweating. This can lead to heat stroke, especially in hot weather. People with alcohol problems and people who work in the heat may be especially prone to heat stroke. Let your healthcare provider know if you think this may be a problem for you (as it can be quite dangerous).

Benztropine can worsen (or even cause) glaucoma, bladder or prostate problems, or a rapid heart rate. If you have such problems, benztropine may not be right for you.

Benztropine should never be used to treat tardive dyskinesia. Not only is benztropine ineffective for this use, it can actually make tardive dyskinesia worse.

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Benztropine can cause hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not really there) or other psychological problems. Let your healthcare provider know if you develop hallucinations while taking benztropine.

Benztropine can cause confusion, memory loss, or other Alzheimer's-like symptoms.

Drug interactions

Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitor Medications
Taking benztropine with an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor can make both medications less effective. Your healthcare provider may need to monitor you more closely and adjust your dose of these medications to prevent interactions from occurring.

Anticholinergic Drugs
Combining an anticholinergic medication with benztropine (which is also an anticholinergic medication) can increase your risk of benztropine side effects, such as dry mouth, constipation, dry eyes, or difficulty passing urine.

Antipsychotics
Combining benztropine with antipsychotic medications can increase the risk of certain side effects, such as an intestinal blockage or heat stroke. When using such medications together, make sure to watch for any signs of an intestinal blockage (especially severe constipation) or heat stroke.

Pramlintide
Both pramlintide and anticholinergic medications (including benztropine) can slow down the movement of food through the digestive tract. Taking them together can increase the risk of constipation or nausea. Talk with your healthcare provider before combining these medications.

Tricyclic Antidepressants
Combining benztropine with a tricyclic antidepressant can increase the risk of certain side effects, such as an intestinal blockage or heat stroke. When using such medications together, make sure to watch for any signs of an intestinal blockage (especially severe constipation) or heat stroke.

Benztropine is usually considered a pregnancy Category C medication. This means that it may not be safe for use during pregnancy, although the full risks are not known.
Pregnancy Category C is given to medicines that have not been studied in pregnant humans, but do appear to cause harm to the fetus in animal studies. Also, medicines that have not been adequately studied in any pregnant women or animals are automatically given a "default" pregnancy Category C rating.
Cogentin is usually considered a Category C medication, as it has not been adequately studied in any pregnant women or animals. There have been a few reports of problems (such as minor birth defects or intestinal blockages) in infants born to mothers who took Cogentin, but these reports do not provide enough information to know if Cogentin actually causes such problems.

It is not known if benztropine passes through breast milk. Therefore, if you are breastfeeding or plan to start breastfeeding, discuss this with your healthcare provider prior to taking the drug.-
No studies have been done to see if Cogentin passes through breast milk. Because Cogentin can cause severe side effects (such as an intestinal blockage), many doctors are not comfortable recommending this medication for women who are breastfeeding.

Take care