Trihexiphenidyl
About
Trihexiphenidyl belongs to the category of medications called antiparkinson agents, indicated in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease. Parkinson’s disease is a disorder of the central nervous system that affects movement and locomotion. It causes stiffness, shaking, difficulty in walking, coordination, and balance.
Trihexiphenidyl belongs to the class of medicines known as anticholinergics, which inhibits the effects of acetylcholine. In this way, it decreases sweating, over-excited muscle functioning, production of saliva, and improves walking ability in persons with Parkinson's disease.
Take Trihexiphenidyl as prescribed by your doctor. You are advised to take Trihexiphenidyl for as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you depending on your medical condition. In some cases, you may experience certain common side effects such as nervousness, dizziness, constipation, flushing, nausea, upset stomach, and headache. You are advised to talk to your doctor if you experience these undesirable effects persistently.
If you are known to be allergic to Trihexiphenidyl or any other medicines, please tell your doctor. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, it is advised to inform your doctor. If you have glaucoma, an enlarged prostate, urination problems, a bowel obstruction, epilepsy or other seizure disorder, heart problems, coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, alcoholism, a problem with your nerves, brain, or spinal cord, involuntary muscle movements, intense urges like gambling, spending money, overeating or increased sexual urges, please consult with your doctor before taking Trihexiphenidyl.
Uses of Trihexiphenidyl
Medicinal Benefits
Trihexiphenidyl is an antiparkinson agent that is used in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease. This medicine is also used to treat and prevent symptoms like severe muscle spasms of the back, neck, and eyes caused by medicines used for treating delusions, hallucinations, paranoia, or disordered thought. Trihexiphenidyl belongs to the class of medicines known as anticholinergics, which acts by restraining the effects of acetylcholine. In this way, it decreases sweating, over-excited muscle functioning, saliva production, and improving walking ability in persons with Parkinson's disease. Thereby, it improves the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Trihexiphenidyl
- Nervousness
- Dizziness
- Constipation
- Flushing
- Nausea
- Upset stomach
- Headache
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Before taking Trihexiphenidyl, inform your doctor if you are allergic to it or any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. . Trihexiphenidyl is not safe in pregnancy because it causes miscarriage and abnormalities in the fetus. Trihexiphenidyl is not allowed to take $ name as it may pass into breast milk and affect the nursing baby. It is better to consult your doctor to know the risk and benefits associated with Trihexiphenidyl. Tell your doctor if you are dealing with medical conditions like glaucoma, an enlarged prostate, urination problems, a bowel obstruction, severe constipation, epilepsy or other seizure disorder, heart problems, coronary artery disease (clogged arteries), high blood pressure, alcoholism, a problem with your nerves, brain, or spinal cord. After checking your health condition, the doctor will decide if Trihexiphenidyl is safe for you or not. Avoid doing exercise in hot weather as it can make you overheated or dehydrated. Trihexiphenidyl can reduce the sweating and can increase the risk of heatstroke. With it, avoid consuming cannabis, CBD, or marijuana as it may increase the side effects of this medicine.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Trihexiphenidyl may interact with antidepressants (amitriptyline), medications used to treat mental illness (chlorpromazine, thioridazine, clozapine), certain antiarrhythmics (disopyramide, quinidine), anticholinergics/antispasmodics (belladonna alkaloids), MAO inhibitors (isocarboxazid, linezolid, moclobemide, phenelzine, procarbazine, safinamide, tranylcypromine), corticosteroids (prednisone), motion sickness medication (meclizine), potassium tablets/capsules, tricyclic antidepressants (amitriptyline).
Drug-Food Interactions: Trihexiphenidyl may interact with alcohol and cause serious addiction effects, so one should not consume alcohol.
Drug-Disease Interactions: The use of the name is restricted in medical conditions, including narrow-angle glaucoma, diabetics, epilepsy, prolonged or painful erection, kidney problems, liver problems, and high level of the hormone prolactin in your blood or if you have a tumour, dementia caused by stroke.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeIt is unsafe to consume alcohol, since alcohol consumption with Trihexiphenidyl may increase the risk of dizziness, fainting, or headache.
Pregnancy
unsafeTrihexiphenidyl is not safe in pregnancy because it causes miscarriage and abnormalities in the fetus. It is better to consult your doctor to know the risk and benefits associated with Trihexiphenidyl.
Breast Feeding
unsafeTrihexiphenidyl is not allowed to taken by a breastfeeding mother as it may pass into breast milk and can affect the nursing baby. It is better to consult your doctor to know the risk and benefits associated with Trihexiphenidyl.
Driving
cautionTrihexiphenidyl is not safe during the drive because it can make you feel drowsy. So, it would be best if you did not do anything that requires concentration and attention.
Liver
cautionTrihexiphenidyl to be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of liver diseases/conditions. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor.
Kidney
cautionTrihexiphenidyl to be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of kidney diseases/conditions. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor.
Children
safe if prescribedTrihexiphenidyl can only be advised to children if prescribed by a doctor.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Eat more fibre-rich foods to ease constipation.
- Avoid consumption of alcohol as it may increase drowsiness.
- Drink plenty of water to avoid headaches due to dehydration.
- Use caution while driving or doing anything that requires concentration as Trihexiphenidyl can cause dizziness and sleepiness.
- Avoid consuming alcohol while taking this medication as it may lower its benefits. It can cause dry mouth. Maintain good oral fluid, chew without sugar gum, or suck on hard candy for the dry mouth.
- Avoid high protein foods like soy protein, fish, eggs, chicken, beef, and pork. Eat more whole-grain foods such as whole-wheat bread, oatmeal, brown rice, or pasta.
Special Advise
- DaTscan is a technique that allows doctors to see detailed pictures of the brain's dopamine system in Parkinson's patients.
- Your doctor may advise regular monitoring of intraocular pressure while taking this medicine, as an increase in eye pressure may cause blurry vision.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Parkinson’s disease: It is a progressive disorder of the central nervous system that affects nerve cells in the brain which are responsible for producing dopamine. When this happens, dopamine levels start reducing. A person starts noticing stiffness, tremor in one hand, slow movements, shaking, difficulty walking, coordination, stooped posture, and voice changes. This condition can last for many years or life-long. Treatment with medicines and physiotherapy may help control the symptoms and provide a quality life for as long as possible.
FAQs
Avoid doing exercise in hot weather as it can make you overheated or dehydrated. Trihexiphenidyl can reduce the sweating and can increase the risk of heatstroke.
Tell your doctor if you are dealing with medical conditions like glaucoma, an enlarged prostate, urination problems, a bowel obstruction, severe constipation, epilepsy or other seizure disorder, heart problems, coronary artery disease (clogged arteries), high blood pressure, alcoholism, a problem with your nerves, brain, or spinal cord. After checking your health condition, the doctor will decide if Trihexiphenidyl is safe for you or not.
It has been reported that Trihexiphenidyl is not suitable for patients dealing with narrow-angle glaucoma (damage of optic nerve that is essential for good vision) patients as it may increase the fluid pressure inside the eye. However, regular monitoring of pressure in the eyes is recommended while on treatment with Trihexiphenidyl. Consult a doctor for further advice.
It is advised not to stop taking Trihexiphenidyl without consulting your doctor as it may make the condition worse. Therefore, take Trihexiphenidyl for as long as your doctor has prescribed it and if you are noticing any improvement in your situation, please consult your doctor so that the dose may be adjusted.
Parkinson's disease is a gradually progressing lifelong disease that is chronic and gets worsen with time. With the right medicine, only the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease can be managed.
