Cogentin (Injection)

Benztropine injection is used along with other medicines to treat Parkinson's disease. It helps improve muscle control and decrease stiffness, allowing for more normal body movements as the symptoms of the disease lessen. It is also used to manage severe reactions to some medicines that treat nervous, mental, and emotional conditions (for example, phenothiazine medicines like prochlorperazine, Compazine®, Mellaril®, Phenergan®, Thorazine®, Trilafon®).

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

It is important for your doctor to check your progress at regular visits. This will help adjust your dose and monitor for any side effects.

Benztropine injection can cause dizziness, difficulty controlling movements, or problems with thinking or seeing clearly. Be sure to understand how this medicine affects you before driving, using machines, or doing tasks that require you to be alert, coordinated, or able to think or see clearly.

Do not stop taking this medicine without consulting your doctor first. Your doctor may want you to gradually lower your dose before stopping completely.

This medicine may reduce your sweating, which can raise your body temperature. Take extra precautions to avoid overheating during exercise or in hot weather while taking this medicine, as overheating can lead to heat stroke.

This medicine may cause muscle weakness. If you are worried about this, talk to your doctor.

If you experience any unusual or strange thoughts and behaviors while receiving benztropine injection, be sure to discuss it with your doctor. Some changes seen in people taking this medicine are similar to those seen in people who consume excessive alcohol. Other changes may include confusion, worsening depression, visual hallucinations (seeing things that are not there), thoughts of suicide, and unusual excitement, nervousness, or irritability.

This medicine will enhance the effects of alcohol and other CNS depressants (medications that can make you drowsy or less alert). Examples of CNS depressants include antihistamines or medications for hay fever, other allergies, or colds; sedatives, tranquilizers, or sleeping medications; prescription pain medications or narcotics; barbiturates; medications for seizures; muscle relaxants; or anesthetics, including some dental anesthetics. Check with your medical doctor or dentist before taking any of these while you are on this medicine.

In deciding to use a medicine, you and your doctor must consider the risks of taking the medicine against the benefits it may provide. For this medicine, keep the following in mind:

Allergies

Inform your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also, let your health care professional know if you have any other allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Due to the potential toxicity of benztropine, it should be used with caution in children 3 years of age and older. It is not recommended for children under 3 years of age.

Geriatric

There is no information available regarding the effects of benztropine injection in older patients.

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies in women to determine the risk to infants when using this medication during breastfeeding. Consider the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Some medicines should not be used together at all, while others can be used together even if there might be an interaction. In these situations, your doctor may adjust the dose or take other precautions. It is very important for your healthcare professional to know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below when you are receiving this medicine. The following interactions are highlighted for their potential significance and are not a complete list.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may choose not to treat you with this medication or may change some of the other medicines you take.

• Potassium Citrate

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be necessary in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may adjust the dose or frequency of use for one or both of the medicines.

• Amantadine
• Buprenorphine
• Clozapine
• Codeine
• Glucagon
• Glycopyrrolate
• Glycopyrronium Tosylate
• Methacholine
• Metoclopramide
• Oxycodone
• Quetiapine
• Revefenacin
• Scopolamine
• Secretin Human
• Tapentadol
• Tiotropium

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may increase the risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or frequency of use for one or both of the medicines.

• Betel Nut
• Chlorpromazine
• Haloperidol

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be taken around the time of eating food or certain types of food due to potential interactions. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also lead to interactions. Discuss with your healthcare professional how to use your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

Other medical issues may impact the use of this medicine. Make sure to inform your doctor about any other medical conditions, especially:

• Enlarged prostate or
• Glaucoma or
• Paralytic ileus (bowel blockage), history of or
• Psychosis (mental disorder) or
• Tachycardia (fast heartbeat) or
• Urination problems (e.g., painful or difficult urination, urinary retention)—Use with caution. This may worsen these conditions.

• Glaucoma, angle-closure or
• Tardive dyskinesia (movement disorder)—Should not be used in patients with these conditions.

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may happen, if they do, they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Incidence not known

• Abdominal or stomach cramps or pain
• aggressive and violent behavior
• being forgetful
• bloating
• burning while urinating
• confusion about identity, place, and time
• constipation
• decrease in frequency of urination
• decrease in urine volume
• diarrhea
• difficult or painful urination
• difficulty in passing urine (dribbling)
• difficulty with speaking
• difficulty with swallowing
• discouragement
• dizziness
• dry mouth
• extremely high fever or body temperature
• fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse
• fast, shallow breathing
• fast, weak heartbeat
• feeling sad or empty
• fever
• headache
• hot, dry skin
• irritability
• lack of appetite
• lack of sweating
• listlessness
• loss of interest or pleasure
• mood or mental changes
• muscle cramps
• muscle weakness
• nervousness
• numbness of the fingers
• pale, clammy skin
• seeing things that are not there
• thirst
• tiredness
• trouble concentrating
• trouble with sleeping
• vomiting

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:

Symptoms of overdose

• Blindness
• blurred vision
• change in consciousness
• cold, clammy skin
• decreased vision
• dizziness
• eye pain
• holding false beliefs that cannot be changed by fact
• lightheadedness
• loss of consciousness
• muscle weakness
• nausea or vomiting
• no breathing
• nosebleeds
• numbness or tingling in the face, arms, or legs
• shakiness and unsteady walk
• sweating
• tearing
• unsteadiness, trembling, or other problems with muscle control or coordination
• unusual excitement, nervousness, or restlessness
• vision problems
• wheezing

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Incidence not known

• Enlarged pupils
• loss of appetite
• skin rash
• weight loss

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

In the U.S.

• Cogentin

Available Dosage Forms:

• Solution

Therapeutic Class: Antiparkinsonian

Pharmacologic Class: Anticholinergic

A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine in a hospital. This medicine may be given as a shot into one of your muscles or given through a needle placed in one of your veins.