Tritane (Oral)

Trihexyphenidyl is used by itself or with other medicines (like levodopa) to treat Parkinson's disease. It helps improve muscle control and reduce stiffness, allowing for more normal body movements as the symptoms of the disease lessen.

Trihexyphenidyl is also used to manage severe muscle reactions and other side effects from certain medicines that treat severe nausea or mental, nervous, or emotional conditions (such as haloperidol [Haldol®], loxapine [Loxitane®], prochlorperazine [Compazine®], promethazine [Phenergan®], thiothixene [Navane®]).

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

It is important for your doctor to check your progress at regular visits to adjust your dose if needed and to monitor for any unwanted effects.

Before using this medicine, your doctor may want you to have an eye exam with an ophthalmologist (eye doctor). Trihexyphenidyl may increase your risk of developing glaucoma. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience blurred vision or any change in your vision while taking this medicine.

Trihexyphenidyl may cause dryness in your mouth, nose, and throat. For temporary relief from dry mouth, you can use sugarless candy or gum, melt small pieces of ice in your mouth, or use a saliva substitute. However, if your mouth remains dry for more than 2 weeks, consult your medical doctor or dentist. Ongoing dryness of the mouth may increase the risk of dental problems, such as tooth decay, gum disease, and fungal infections.

In deciding to use a medicine, you and your doctor need to weigh the risks against the benefits. For this medicine, consider the following:

Allergies

Inform your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reactions to this medicine or any other medicines. Also, let your healthcare 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

There is no information available on how trihexyphenidyl affects children. Its safety and effectiveness have not been established for this age group.

Geriatric

There is no information available on how trihexyphenidyl affects older adults. However, elderly men may have prostate issues related to age, and all elderly patients may have kidney, liver, or heart problems related to aging. These issues may require caution or a dose adjustment for patients taking trihexyphenidyl.

Breast Feeding

Studies suggest that this medication may change milk production or composition. If there is no alternative prescribed, you should monitor the infant for side effects and adequate milk intake.

Interactions with Medicines

Some medicines should never be used together, while in other cases, two different medicines can be used together even if an interaction might happen. If you are taking this medicine, it is very important for your healthcare professional to know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions are highlighted based on their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may choose not to prescribe 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 how often you take 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 may be the best treatment for you. If both are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you take one or both of the medicines.

• Betel Nut
• Chlorpromazine
• Haloperidol
• Perphenazine

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used around the time of eating food or certain types of food due to possible interactions. Using alcohol or tobacco with some medicines may also cause interactions. Discuss with your healthcare professional about using your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

Other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure to tell your doctor about any other medical issues, especially:

• Bowel or stomach blockage or
• Enlarged prostate or
• Glaucoma or
• Hypertension (high blood pressure) or
• Urinary blockage—Use with caution. May worsen these conditions.

• Kidney disease or
• Liver disease—Use with caution. Effects may be heightened due to slower removal of the medicine from the body.

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

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

Rare

• Abdominal or stomach cramps or pain
• bloating
• constipation
• delusions of persecution, mistrust, suspiciousness, or combativeness
• excessive dryness of the mouth
• false beliefs that cannot be changed by facts
• loss of appetite
• nausea or vomiting
• seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there
• skin rash
• stomach pain
• swollen, painful, or tender lymph glands on the side of the face or neck

Incidence not known

• Anxiety
• blurred vision
• change in vision
• decrease in frequency of urination
• decrease in urine volume
• difficult urination
• difficulty in passing urine (dribbling)
• disturbed behavior
• dry mouth
• enlarged pupils
• eye pain
• fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse
• hyperventilation
• irritability
• loss of vision
• mental confusion
• nervousness
• painful urination
• restlessness
• shaking
• shortness of breath
• trouble sleeping

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:

More common

• Dizziness
• mild nausea
• nervousness

Incidence not known

• Drowsiness
• weakness

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.

• Artane
• Trihexane
• Tritane

Available Dosage Forms:

• Elixir
• Tablet

Therapeutic Class: Antiparkinsonian

Pharmacologic Class: Anticholinergic

Take this medicine every day exactly as ordered by your doctor in order to improve your condition as much as possible. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered.

You may take this medicine before or after food, although it is usually taken with meals.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• For oral dosage form (elixir or tablets):For Parkinson's disease: Adults—At first, 1 milligram (mg) once a day. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 15 mg per day, given in divided doses 3 or 4 times per day. Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor. For side effects caused by other medicines: Adults—5 to 15 milligrams (mg) per day, given in divided doses 3 or 4 times per day. Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.