Trihexyphenidyl Hydrochloride

TRIHEXYPHENIDYL HYDROCHLORIDE- trihexyphenidyl hydrochloride solution
REMEDYREPACK INC.

Rx ONLY

DESCRIPTION

Trihexyphenidyl Hydrochloride Oral Solution USP is a synthetic antispasmodic drug. It is designated chemically as α-Cyclohexylα-phenyl-1-piperidinepropanol hydrochloride and its structural formula is as follows:

Chemical Structure
(click image for full-size original)

Trihexyphenidyl hydrochloride occurs as a white or creamy-white, almost odorless, crystalline powder. It is very slightly soluble in ether and benzene, slightly soluble in water and soluble in methanol.

Each 5 mL (teaspoonful) for oral administration contains 2 mg trihexyphenidyl hydrochloride and alcohol 5% in a clear, colorless, lime-mint flavored solution. In addition, it contains the following inactive ingredients: citric acid, flavoring, methylparaben, propylparaben, purified water, sodium chloride and sorbitol solution.

CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY

Trihexyphenidyl exerts a direct inhibitory effect upon the parasympathetic nervous system. It also has a relaxing effect on smooth musculature; exerted both directly upon the muscle tissue itself and indirectly through an inhibitory effect upon the parasympathetic nervous system. Its therapeutic properties are similar to those of atropine although undesirable side effects are ordinarily less frequent and severe than with the latter.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Trihexyphenidyl is indicated as an adjunct in the treatment of all forms of parkinsonism (postencephalitic, arteriosclerotic, and idiopathic). It is often useful as adjuvant therapy when treating these forms of parkinsonism with levodopa. Additionally, it is indicated for the control of extrapyramidal disorders caused by central nervous system drugs such as the dibenzoxazepines, phenothiazines, thioxanthenes, and butyrophenones.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

Trihexyphenidyl is contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity to trihexyphenidyl or to any of the other ingredients. Trihexyphenidyl is also contraindicated in patients with narrow angle glaucoma. Blindness after long-term use due to narrow angle glaucoma has been reported.

WARNINGS

Patients to be treated with trihexyphenidyl should have a gonioscope evaluation prior to initiation of therapy and close monitoring of intraocular pressures. The use of anticholinergic drugs may precipitate angle closure with an increase in intraocular pressure. If blurring of vision occurs during therapy, the possibility of narrow angle glaucoma should be considered. Blindness has been reported due to aggravation of narrow angle glaucoma. (See CONTRAINDICATIONS and ADVERSE REACTIONS).

Trihexyphenidyl should be administered with caution in hot weather, especially when given concomitantly with other atropine-like drugs to the chronically ill, alcoholics, those who have central nervous system disease, or those who do manual labor in a hot environment. Anhidrosis may occur more readily when some disturbance of sweating already exists. If there is evidence of anhidrosis, the possibility of hyperthermia should be considered. Dosage should be decreased so that the ability to maintain body heat equilibrium via perspiration is not impaired. Severe anhidrosis and fatal hyperthermia have occurred with the use of anticholinergics under the conditions described above.

Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome

A potentially fatal symptom complex sometimes referred to as Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS) has been reported in association with dose reduction or discontinuation of trihexyphenidyl. Clinical manifestations of NMS are hyperpyrexia, muscle rigidity, altered mental status and evidence of autonomic instability (irregular pulse or blood pressure, tachycardia, diaphoresis and cardiac dysrhythmias).

The diagnostic evaluation of patients with this syndrome is complicated. In arriving at a diagnosis, it is important to identify cases where the clinical presentation includes both serious medical illness (e.g., pneumonia, systemic infection, etc.) and untreated or inadequately treated extrapyramidal signs and symptoms (EPS). Other important considerations in the differential diagnosis include central anticholinergic toxicity, heat stroke, drug fever, and primary central nervous system (CNS) pathology.

PRECAUTIONS

General

Patients with cardiac, liver, or kidney disorders, or with hypertension, should be closely monitored.

Since trihexyphenidyl has atropine-like properties, patients on long-term treatment should be carefully monitored for untoward reactions.

Since trihexyphenidyl has parasympatholytic activity, it should be used with caution in patients with glaucoma, obstructive disease of the gastrointestinal or genitourinary tracts, and in elderly males with possible prostatic hypertrophy. Incipient glaucoma may be precipitated by parasympatholytic drugs such as trihexyphenidyl.

Tardive dyskinesia may appear in some patients on long-term therapy with antipsychotic drugs or may occur after therapy with these drugs has been discontinued. Antiparkinsonism agents do not alleviate the symptoms of tardive dyskinesia, and in some instances may aggravate them.

However, parkinsonism and tardive dyskinesia often coexist in patients receiving chronic neuroleptic treatment, and anticholinergic therapy with trihexyphenidyl may relieve some of these parkinsonism symptoms. Trihexyphenidyl is not recommended for use in patients with tardive dyskinesia unless they have concomitant Parkinson’s disease.

Patients with arteriosclerosis or with a history of idiosyncrasy to other drugs may exhibit reactions of mental confusion, agitation, disturbed behavior, or nausea and vomiting. Such patients should be allowed to develop a tolerance through the initial administration of a small dose and gradual increase in dose until an effective level is reached. If a severe reaction should occur, administration of the drug should be discontinued for a few days and then resumed at a lower dosage. Psychiatric disturbances can result from indiscriminate use (leading to overdosage) to sustain continued euphoria. (See DRUG ABUSE AND DEPENDENCE).

Abrupt withdrawal of treatment for parkinsonism may result in acute exacerbation of parkinsonism symptoms; therefore, abrupt withdrawal should be avoided (See DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION).

Information for Patients

Trihexyphenidyl may impair mental and/or physical abilities required for performance of hazardous tasks, such as operating machinery or driving a motor vehicle. Patients should be cautioned about operating machinery, including automobiles, until they are reasonably certain that trihexyphenidyl therapy does not adversely affect their ability to engage in such activities.

Because of increased sedative effects, patients should be cautioned to avoid the use of alcohol or other CNS depressants while taking trihexyphenidyl.

Since this medication may increase the susceptibility to heat stroke (gastrointestinal (GI) problems, fever, heat intolerance), use with caution during hot weather. (See WARNINGS).

Patients should be advised to report the occurrence of GI problems, fever, or heat intolerance promptly since paralytic ileus, hyperthermia, or heat stroke may occur.

If GI upset occurs, trihexyphenidyl may be taken with food.

Patients should have close monitoring of intraocular pressure. (See WARNINGS).

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