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| Pronunciation |
|
 (trye
heks ee FEN i
dil) |
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| Brand Names |
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| Artane® |
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| Foreign Brand
Names |
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| Apo-Trihex® (Canada);
Novo-Hexidyl® (Canada); PMS-Trihexyphenidyl (Canada);
Trihexyphen® (Canada); Hipokinon®
(Mexico) |
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| Therapeutic
Categories |
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Anticholinergic Agent; Anti-Parkinson's Agent (Anticholinergic) |
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| Reasons not to take this
medicine |
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- If you have an allergy to trihexyphenidyl or any other part of the
medicine.
- If you have any of the following conditions: Narrow-angle glaucoma,
blockage in the gastrointestinal tract, severe peptic ulcer disease, blockage in
the urinary tract, myasthenia
gravis.
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| What is this medicine used
for? |
|
|
- This medicine is used for the treatment of Parkinson's disease
- It is also used to treat side effects related to mood stabilizing
medicines and those used for
schizophrenia.
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| How does it work? |
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|
- When used in Parkinson's disease and with mood stabilizing medicines,
it improves the chemical balance in the
brain.
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| How is it best taken? |
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- Take with food.
- Make sure you are drinking enough liquids unless told to drink less by
healthcare provider. Avoid products with caffeine.
- A liquid (elixir) is available if you cannot swallow pills. Those who
have feeding tubes can also use the liquid. Flush the feeding tube before and
after medicine is given.
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| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
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- Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
- If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to
your regular schedule.
- Do not take a double dose or extra
doses.
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| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
|
|
- If you are 65 or older, you may have more side effects.
- Men 65 or older with problems urinating should not take this medicine.
- You may not be alert. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities
until you see how this medicine affects you.
- Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor) and other medicines
and herbs that slow your actions and reactions. This includes sedatives,
tranquilizers, mood stabilizers, or pain medicine. Talk with healthcare
provider.
- Be careful in hot weather. Can increase risk of heat stroke.
- You can get sunburned more easily. Avoid lots of sun. Use sunscreen;
wear protective clothing and eyewear.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make
sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling
about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of
face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting
pregnant.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are
breast-feeding.
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| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
|
|
- Feeling sleepy, lightheaded, dizzy, or having blurred vision. Avoid
driving, doing other tasks or activities that require you to be alert until you
see how this medicine affects you.
- Dry mouth. Frequent mouth care, sucking hard candy, or chewing gum may
help.
- Constipation. More liquids, regular exercise, or a fiber-containing
diet may help. Talk with healthcare provider about a stool softener or laxative.
- Unable to pass urine. Go to the bathroom before taking medicine. Talk
with healthcare provider if it becomes a
problem.
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| What should I monitor? |
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- Follow up with healthcare
provider.
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| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
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|
- Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing;
tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits;
swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Changes in thinking clearly and logically.
- Passing out, fainting, dizziness, or lightheadedness.
- Any rash.
- No improvement in condition or feeling
worse.
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| How should I store this
medicine? |
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- Store at room
temperature.
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| General statements |
|
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- Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's
medicine.
- Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
- Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements,
vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider
(doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
- Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine,
including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs,
vitamins).
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