Artane 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. It is also used to treat and prevent the same muscular conditions when they are caused by drugs such as chlorpromazine, fluphenazine, perphenazine, haloperidol, thiothixene, etc.
Directions
Take Artane exactly as prescribed by your doctor. The usual starting dosage for treating Parkinson's disease is 1 mg once daily. Your doctor may gradually increase your dose (by increments of 2 mg every three to five days) until your symptoms are controlled or up to a maximum of 15 mg total per day. It is recommended that the daily dose be split up into three smaller doses taken at meals, or if higher doses are taken (more than 10 mg total per day), into four smaller doses per day, at meals and at bedtime.
Precautions
Before taking Artane you should talk with your doctor if you have liver disease, liver failure, cirrhosis, hepatitis, kidney disease, kidney failure, heart problems, high blood pressure (hypertension), glaucoma, muscle disease (myasthenia gravis), nerve disease (autonomic neuropathy), difficulty passing urine, enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia), tardive dyskinesia, alcohol problem, rapid heart rate (tachycardia), any allergies. This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy or cause blurred vision. Do not drive or perform tasks that require alertness. Avoid alcoholic beverages. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness. Get up slowly when rising from a sitting or lying position. Avoid becoming overheated. The elderly may be more sensitive to the effects of this medication.
Contraindications
You should not take Artane if you are allergic to it, trihexyphenidyl hydrochloride, or any inactive components of this medication. Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Possible side effect
Get emergency medical help if you have drowsiness, dizziness, constipation, flushing, nausea, nervousness, blurred vision, dry mouth, eye pain, rash, difficulty urinating, nervousness, anxiety, upset stomach, decreased sweating, swelling of the lips, tongue, or face, difficulty breathing, hives, fast or irregular heartbeats, loss of consciousness, mental or mood changes, memory problems. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor.
Drug interactions
Tell your doctor about all other medications you use, especially: tricyclic antidepressants (amitriptyline, nortriptyline, amoxapine, doxepin, clomipramine), phenothiazine (perphenazine, trifluoperazine, chlorpromazine, mesoridazine), thiothixene, chlorprothixene, antihistamines (brompheniramine, triprolidine, clemastine, chlorpheniramine), quinidine, haloperidol, amantadine, digoxin, anticholinergics (clidinium, belladonna, clozapine, oxybutynin). Interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter, and herbal medications you are taking.
Missed dose
Take the missed dose as soon as possible. Skip the missed dose if it is time for your next scheduled dose. Don't take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Overdose
If you think you have overdosed the medicine seek emergency medical help at once. The overdose symptoms are fast or slow heartbeat, slow or shallow breathing, unconsciousness, seizures, loss of coordination, fever, dry skin, widened pupils, change in vision, change in the amount of urine, confusion, hallucinations.
Storage
Store the medicine at room temperature between 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Do not store the drugs in the bathroom. Keep all drugs away from reach of children and pets.
Note
The information presented at the site has a general character. Note please this information cannot be used for self-treatment and self diagnosis. You should consult with your doctor or health care adviser regarding any specific instructions of your condition. The information is reliable, but we concede it could contain mistakes. We are not responsible for any direct, indirect, special or other damage caused by use of this information on the site and also for consequences of self-treatment.
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