Does anyone take Trihexyphenidyl?

[Court]

I have recently been prescribed the above tablet in addition to my other meds.

I go back to see my Consultant soon and although it does seem to help my tremors, was wondering if anyone else took it. The comments I have received seem to indicate that there are a number of side effects.

[ozepook47]

Trihexyphenidyl, also called Benzhexol, has the trade name of Artane. It is usually available as 2mg and 5mg tablets. It is an 'old' drug with 'anti - cholinergic' effects. Usually used to control the tremors. Quite effective but may have some undesirable adverse effects such as, dry mouth, blurred vision, difficulty in passing urine, lethargy, and, especially in the elderly, hallucinations and deliriums. Because of these effects, it is not widely prescribed in Australia (don't know about other countries). It has little effect on improving any other PD symptoms. From a personal view, my late father was on Artane for several years, quite a while ago, and he started to imagine people walking through the wall into his bedroom, and would sit in his chair and write cheques all day and asking my mother to post them off. She thought he was starting to get dementia, but after discontinuing it, all of this disappeared and he never had those symptoms again. He was managed on Sinemet and Comptan thereafter. Hope this helps!

[srarndt]

Yes, my GP ordered it for me when i was going through some muscle cramps as one of it's primary purposes is as a muscle relaxant. BUT do be careful if you have any constipation problems...that can cause a very painful side effect depending how severe your constipation issues are for me it meant pain like i was trying to pass a rock hard jumbo jet including a fair amount of bleeding...talk to your MDS and a good pharmacist to be sure it is right for you.

Best wishes,

Steve

Bisbee, AZ

[roma]

I WAS GIVEN TRIHEXYPHENYDIL BY A LOCUM FROM NEW ZEALAND.(I LIVE IN UK)

I had several side effects and after a while, looked at the Parkinsons booklet on drugs, only to find it is not recommended for use in the UK because side effects outway the advantages!

[Court in reply to roma]

I also live in the UK and was given this drug by my Consultant as my tremor was not well controlled. This has helped to control my tremor and I do not appear to be suffering any side effects, but at what cost. I must be the only person in the UK taking trihexyphenydil as everyone has stopped taking it due to side effects. I am seeing my Consultant next week and this will be top of my list of questions.