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Trihexyphenidyl Hydrochloride

trihexyphenidyl
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Dr. C P Ravi Kumar

What is trihexyphenidyl hydrochloride?

Trihexyphenidyl hydrochloride is an anticholinergic medication that helps in relieving muscle spasms, stiffness, tremors and other cholinergic actions.

What are the uses of trihexyphenidyl?

  • Spasticity, Dystonia
  • Extrapyramidal symptoms (restlessness, tremors, involuntary face and body movements)
  • Parkinson’s disease
  • Drug-related muscle problems (e.g. Antipsychotic drugs)

What are the uses of trihexyphenidyl in children?

Trihexyphenidyl hydrochloride relieves dystonic muscle spasms in children. It helps in loosening muscle tightness and improves muscle movements in your child.

How trihexyphenidyl hydrochloride is available in the market?

  • Oral tablets
  • Oral dispersible tablets

How does trihexyphenidyl hydrochloride works?

Trihexyphenidyl slows down parasympathetic activity and thereby controls smooth muscles and salivary glands nerves. It also enhances the muscle control and relaxes muscle stiffness.

Why trihexyphenidyl hydrochloride is important?

It helps in treating parkinsonism disease which includes idiopathic parkinsonism, post-encephalitic parkinsonism
It can be used alone or in combination with levodopa for Parkinson treatment
Trihexyphenidyl also helps in controlling extra pyramidal symptoms caused by antipsychotic drugs

What should you consider before taking trihexyphenidyl?

Inform your doctor priorly if you have/had glaucoma
Tell your doctor if you have hypertension or related cardiac disease
Inform your doctor about all the drugs you are taking and any other health problems you have.
Inform your doctor if you are allergic to this medication or any other medicines.

When trihexyphenidyl should be taken?

Doctor may prescribe trihexyphenidyl to be taken up to 2 – 4 times a day. Your doctor decides the dose you need to be taken, according to age, body weight and response to the medicine.
If you have dry mouth, take this medication before meals. If you have excessive sweating- take it after meals.
Do not use this medicine on others, even if their symptoms seem similar.
Trihexyphenidyl should be taken at a regular time each day.

How much should I take trihexyphenidyl?

This medicine is started with the low dose and dose may be increased or decreased by your doctor as per the patient condition.

How it should be taken?

  • Taking trihexyphenidyl after food is preferable and helps prevent side effects
  • Always remember not to skip the dose
  • Always make sure that the dose you are taking is the same as the doctor prescribed
  • Do not take this medication for a longer time than your doctor has prescribed
  • Do not chew the tablet

What to be done if I omit taking trihexyphenidyl?

Consume the missed dose after remembering it. If remembered when it is time for next dose, skip the previous missed dose and continue with the usual dosage pattern as advised by the doctor.
Avoid having medicine twice that leads to double dose

Can I stop taking trihexyphenidyl?

Unless directed by your doctor, never discontinue trihexyphenidyl suddenly, especially if you are taking other medications with it.
If you suddenly stop consuming, there are many chances that your Parkinson symptoms may reappear.
If your doctor wants you to stop consuming, he may slowly reduce the dose and then stop.

What are the side effects of trihexyphenidyl? (Source: Lexicomp, Drug Index)

Every drug has their own side effects. But some may experience, and some do not have any side effects.
Taking trihexyphenidyl could result in certain side effects. Reach out to your doctor immediately if any of these symptoms are getting worsen and do not subside.
  • Dry mouth
  • Blurred vision
  • Sedation
  • Dizziness
  • Nausea
  • Nervousness

What are the signs that need to be considered rushing to hospital?

Some side effects require immediate medical attention, even though they are rare. These include
  • Fast/irregular heartbeat
  • Confusion
  • Hallucination
  • Glaucoma
  • Heat stroke/ no sweating
  • Rigidity in muscles or involuntary movements

Will there be a problem if alcohol is consumed when taking trihexyphenidyl?

Do not consume alcohol as it increases your drowsiness and dizziness

What drugs should not be taken when I use trihexyphenidyl?

  • Cold and allergy medicines (antihistamines)
  • Sleep medicines
  • Tricyclic antidepressants

Trihexyphenidyl should be avoided in which disease conditions?

  • Open angle glaucoma
  • Urinary tract obstruction
  • Cardiac disorders
  • Gastrointestinal obstruction

How to store Trihexyphenidyl?

  • Store this medicine at normal room temperature
  • Store this medication in its tightly sealed container
  • Keep it away from children
  • Keep this medicine away from moisture

Trihexyphenidyl can be taken with trifluoperazine?

Trihexyphenidyl and trifluoperazine combination treats schizophrenia, anxiety and depression.
Trifluoperazine is an antipsychotic medication which balances mood and emotions whereas trihexyphenidyl corrects side effects of trifluoperazine such as muscle spasms and involuntary movements.

Does Trihexyphenidyl treat tardive dyskinesia?

Trihexyphenidyl cannot be given in tardive dyskinesia. It can be given in Parkinson patients if tardive dyskinesia is present along with it.
It may occur in some patients with long term use of anti-psychotic drugs or sudden discontinuation of such medicines.
Author:
1. Dr Praveen Kumar, B.Pharm, Pharm D(PB), Head Clinical Pharmacologist, Aster Hospitals, Bengaluru
2. Dr. Likitha B S, Pharm.D, Clinical pharmacologist, Aster Hospitals, Bengaluru
3. Dr C P Ravi Kumar, Consultant Paediatric Neurologist, Aster CMI Hospital
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