Trihexyphenidyl / Benzhexol Hydrochloride

When should one not use Trihexyphenidyl / Benzhexol Hydrochloride

Common side effects of this drug are:

• Dry mouth
• Constipation
• Blurred vision
• Dizziness
• Mild nausea
• Nervousness
• Skin allergies

Other General Warnings

• You have high pressure inside the eyes (glaucoma) or any eye-related disorder.
• You have heart, liver or kidney problems or high blood pressure; this medicine should be used with caution.
• You have a problem in passing urine (prostate problems in men), need to be monitored closely during the treatment.
• You have stomach/intestinal problem like ulcer or heartburn.
• You have myasthenia gravis, Trihexyphenidyl / Benzhexol Hydrochloride should be used cautiously as it can worsen the condition.
• You are suffering from muscle weakness because you need to be monitored closely during the therapy as it can worsen the condition.
• You are an elderly person as the dose modification may be required depending on any physiological dysfunction or health condition.

How Does It Work?

Interactions with other medicines

• Concomitant use of Trihexyphenidyl / Benzhexol Hydrochloride and certain medicines should be avoided or taken with extra care. These medicines include Phenothiazines, Clozapine (used to treat mental conditions), Disopyramide (used to treat irregular heartbeat), Nefopam (for pain) and Amantadine (used for Parkinson's disease).
• You may experience dry mouth, constipation, blurred vision and urinary retention if Trihexyphenidyl / Benzhexol Hydrochloride is taken along with certain medicines acting on the brain. Patients taking these medicines need to be monitored regularly.
• The effect of Trihexyphenidyl / Benzhexol Hydrochloride may be increased when medicine used to treat low moods such as Amitriptyline, Doxepin, Selegiline and Phenelzine are coadministered, hence should be used with caution.
• A gap of a minimum of 2 hrs should be kept between Trihexyphenidyl / Benzhexol Hydrochloride and anti-diarrhoeal such as Loperamide, antacids such as Aluminium hydroxide gel, Magnesium hydroxide and Ketoconazole (used to treat fungal infection).
• The effect of other medicines such as Metoclopramide or Domperidone (to stop vomiting), Levodopa (used to treat Parkinson's disease), and Bethanechol (used to treat urinary problems) may decrease with Trihexyphenidyl / Benzhexol Hydrochloride.
• Discuss with your doctor any other medicine, herbal preparation and supplements you are currently taking to avoid any possible drug interactions.

Interactions with food items

Overdose

• The symptoms of an overdose of Trihexyphenidyl / Benzhexol Hydrochloride include flushing, skin dryness, dilated pupils, dry mouth, faster heart rate, fever, high blood pressure, nausea, vomiting, rashes on the face, confusion, hallucination, restlessness, respiratory problem.
• In case of an overdose, contact your doctor immediately or visit the nearest hospital. Significant overdose can also lead to death or coma.

Missed a Dose