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Benztropine Mesylate Coupon - Benztropine Mesylate 1mg tablet

benztropine mesylate

Generic Cogentin
Used for Parkinson's Disease
Used for Parkinson's Disease

Benztropine is an add-on medication used for the treatment of Parkinson's disease. It's also used for movement problems that are side effects from other medications, such as antipsychotics. It's no longer available as the brand name Cogentin, but still sold as the generic name benztropine. Dry mouth, trouble sweating, nausea, and fast heartbeat are some possible side effects of benztropine.

Reviewed by:
reviewer
Hope Chang, PharmD, AAHIVP
reviewer
Kristianne Hannemann, PharmD
Last reviewed on May 10, 2023
BasicsSide effectsPros & consPharmacist tipsFAQsWarningsDosageInteractionsCostContraindicationsAlternativesLatest newsImagesReferencesPricesMedicare
basics-icon

What is Benztropine?

What is Benztropine used for?

  • Parkinson's disease (add-on medication)

  • Movement problems (extrapyramidal symptoms, or EPS) caused by antipsychotic medications

How Benztropine works

Benztropine is an anticholinergic medication. It blocks chemicals that are thought to cause muscle spasms and tremors.

When does Benztropine start working?
Time passed since treatment started:
HOURS
DAYS
WEEKS
MONTHS
Initial effect
Full effect

Drug Facts

Common BrandsCogentin (brand no longer available)
Drug ClassAnticholinergic
Controlled Substance ClassificationNot a controlled medication
Generic StatusLower-cost generic available
AvailabilityPrescription only
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Avg retail price
$21.96(save 50.46%)
GoodRx discount
$10.88
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What are the side effects of Benztropine?

The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.

Common Side Effects

  • Dry mouth
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Constipation
  • Slowed gut movement
  • Fast heartbeat

Other Side Effects

  • Blurry vision
  • Confusion
  • Memory problems
  • Fever
  • Discomfort while urinating

Serious Side Effects

Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
  • Overheating: high body temperature, reduced sweating, confusion
When do Benztropine possible side effects begin and end?
Time passed since treatment started:
HOURS
DAYS
WEEKS
MONTHS
Dry mouth
Nausea and vomiting
Constipation
Fast heartbeat
If a line continues to the right, you'll likely keep experiencing this side effect once it starts.

Source: DailyMed

More on Benztropine side effects

Cogentin: side effects cogentin

8 Cogentin (Benztropine) Side Effects You Should Know About

Written by Rosanna Sutherby, PharmD

The following side effects have also been reported

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Incidence not known

Abdominal or stomach cramps or pain

aggressive and violent behavior

being forgetful

bloating

burning while urinating

confusion about identity, place, and time

constipation

decrease in frequency of urination

decrease in urine volume

diarrhea

difficult or painful urination

difficulty in passing urine (dribbling)

difficulty with speaking

difficulty with swallowing

discouragement

dizziness

dry mouth

extremely high fever or body temperature

fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse

fast, shallow breathing

fast, weak heartbeat

feeling sad or empty

fever

headache

hot, dry skin

irritability

lack of appetite

lack of sweating

listlessness

loss of interest or pleasure

mood or mental changes

muscle cramps

muscle weakness

nervousness

numbness of the fingers

pale, clammy skin

seeing things that are not there

thirst

tiredness

trouble concentrating

trouble with sleeping

vomiting

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:

Symptoms of overdose

Blindness

blurred vision

change in consciousness

cold clammy skin

decreased vision

dizziness

eye pain

holding false beliefs that cannot be changed by fact

lightheadedness

loss of consciousness

muscle weakness

nausea or vomiting

no breathing

nosebleeds

numbness or tingling in the face, arms, or legs

shakiness and unsteady walk

sweating

tearing

unsteadiness, trembling, or other problems with muscle control or coordination

unusual excitement, nervousness, or restlessness

vision problems

wheezing

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Incidence not known

Enlarged pupils

loss of appetite

skin rash

weight loss

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

pros-and-cons

Pros and cons of Benztropine

thumbs-up

Pros

Dose can be easily adjusted based on your symptoms and side effects

Works together with other anti-parkinson medications

Available as a lower-cost generic medication

thumbs-down

Cons

Can cause severe dry mouth that can make it difficult to eat and speak

Not a good option for young children and older adults

Interacts with certain antipsychotics and tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs)

pharmacist-tips

Pharmacist tips for Benztropine

pharmacist

  • Work closely with your provider, especially in the beginning, to find the right dose of medication for you. Your dose will likely start small and become larger over time.

    • You can take benztropine with or without food. If the medication makes your mouth dry, try to avoid dry or salty foods

      • Benztropine can cause dry mouth. Drinking water, chewing gum, and sucking on hard candy can help with dry mouth. Let your provider know if your dry mouth makes it hard to speak, eat, or swallow. They might be able to lower your dose.

        • Let your provider know all the medications that you take, especially if you take medications for mental health conditions. Benztropine can interact with certain antipsychotics and antidepressants, or make mental disorders worse.

          • Artificial tears and lubricating eye drops can relieve dry eyes you may get while taking benztropine. Talk to your provider if you start to have blurry vision. They might want you to get your eyes checked by a specialist.

            • If you have conditions that make urinating more difficult (e.g., enlarged prostate), benztropine can make your symptoms worse. Let your provider know if this happens.

              • Talk to your provider if you're pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant. It isn't known if benztropine is safe to take during pregnancy.

                faqs

                Frequently asked questions about Benztropine

                How long does benztropine take to work?
                If you're taking benztropine to help with movement problems from antipsychotics, you might notice improvements in symptoms within 1 or 2 days. The injectable forms of benztropine work faster than the tablets.
                Is benztropine used for tardive dyskinesia?
                No benztropine isn't FDA-approved for tardive dyskinesia (TD). TD is a very rare form of movement problems (EPS) that can be caused by antipsychotic medications. Compared to other EPS movement problems, TD more so involves uncontrolled movement of the face, rather than arms or legs. If you have medication-related movement problems, your provider will evaluate you to see if benztropine is an appropriate medication for you.
                Can benztropine be used for anxiety?
                No, benztropine isn't approved for treating anxiety. If you've symptoms of anxiety, talk to your provider about treatment options that can help.
                Does benztropine cause memory loss?
                Memory problems are listed as a side effect of benztropine by the manufacturers. Benztropine is an anticholinergic medication and this class of medication is known to cause memory problems and confusion. In one small study, people taking benztropine had problems remembering things. If this is concerning to you, speak with your provider.
                Is benztropine an antipsychotic?
                No, benztropine isn't an antipsychotic medication. However, it can be used to treat movement problems that are a side effect of antipsychotic medications.
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                What are the risks and warnings for Benztropine?

                Benztropine can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.

                risk-warning

                Trouble thinking clearly

                Some people have trouble thinking clearly or feel confused when they take benztropine. If you're starting this medication for the first time or if your provider raises your dose, don't drive or do any activity that requires a lot of focus until you know how benztropine makes you feel

                risk-warning

                Slowed gut movement

                • Risk factors: Taking tricyclic antidepressants, phenothiazines, or haloperidol

                  Before taking benztropine, let your provider know if you're taking tricyclic antidepressants, phenothiazines, haloperidol, or other anticholinergics. These medications can interact with benztropine and cause your gut movement to slow down or stop (paralytic ileus). This can lead to serious problems. Let your provider know if you experience stomach pain or discomfort.

                  risk-warning

                  Heat stroke

                  • Risk factors: Dehydration | Hot weather | Chronic alcohol use | Manual labor

                    Benztropine makes it harder for your body to sweat and cool itself down. This can put you at risk for heat stroke. Make sure you stay hydrated and out of the sun, especially if it's really hot out. Let your provider right away if you have a fever or feel very hot, but aren't able to sweat.

                    risk-warning

                    Muscle weakness

                    • Risk factors: Taking large doses

                      Some people taking large doses of benztropine have reported muscle weakness. It might feel like muscle tension (like a stiff neck), followed by sudden relaxation and weakness. Let your provider know if this happens to you as they might need to lower your dose.

                      risk-warning

                      Mental health effects

                      • Risk factors: Older adults | Having a history of mental health conditions | Taking larger doses of benztropine

                        Some people can have confusion or excitement with large doses of benztropine. In some rare cases, some people experience psychoactive effects, including hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren't there). Let your provider know if you have a history of mental health conditions. They might want to monitor you closely when you first start the medication.

                        dosage

                        Benztropine dosage forms

                        The average cost for 60 tablets of 1mg of Benztropine is $11.84 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 46.09% off the average retail price of $21.96.
                        ampule
                        Ampule
                        DosageQuantityPrice as low asPrice per unit
                        2ml of 2mg/2ml1 ampule$21.25$21.25
                        tablet
                        Tablet
                        DosageQuantityPrice as low asPrice per unit
                        0.5mg60 tablets$10.88$0.18
                        1mg60 tablets$11.84$0.20
                        2mg60 tablets$15.00$0.25
                        vial
                        Vial
                        DosageQuantityPrice as low asPrice per unit
                        2ml of 2mg/2ml2 vials$18.10$9.05

                        Typical dosing for Benztropine

                        • Parkinson's disease: The typical starting dose ranges from 0.5 mg to 1 mg by mouth daily. The typical maintenance dose ranges from 0.5 mg to 6 mg daily, taken once daily or in smaller doses throughout the day.

                        • Movement problems: The typical dose ranges from 1 mg to 4 mg by mouth once or twice daily.

                        Benztropine is also available as an injection that's given by a trained healthcare provider.

                        interactions

                        Interactions between Benztropine and other drugs

                        Benztropine may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Benztropine. Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.

                        Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.

                        • Potassium

                        Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

                        Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

                        drug-cost

                        How much does Benztropine cost?

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                        Cogentin (brand)
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                        contraindications-icon

                        Benztropine contraindications

                        Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Benztropine will not be safe for you to take.

                        • Children younger than 3 years old

                        alternatives

                        What are alternatives to Benztropine?

                        There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Benztropine. Compare a few possible alternatives below.
                        Benztropine
                        Used for:

                        • Parkinson's disease (add-on medication)

                        • Movement problems (extrapyramidal symptoms, or EPS) caused by antipsychotic medications

                        $10.88 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
                        Trihexyphenidyl
                        Used for:
                        $4.00 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
                        images

                        Benztropine images

                        White Round N 11 - Benztropine Mesylate 2mg Tablet
                        This medicine is White, Round, Scored Tablet Imprinted With "N 11".White Round N 11 - Benztropine Mesylate 2mg Tablet
                        White Round Ep 138 - Benztropine Mesylate 2mg Tablet
                        This medicine is White, Round, Scored Tablet Imprinted With "Ep 138".White Round Ep 138 - Benztropine Mesylate 2mg Tablet

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                        References

                        Best studies we found

                        Ahuja, A., et al. (2022). Benztropine. StatPearls.

                        Chartwell RX, LLC. (2023). BENZTROPINE MESYLATE tablet [package insert]. DailyMed.

                        D'Souza, R. S., et al. (2023). Extrapyramidal Symptoms. StatPearls.

                        View All References (4)

                        Geleberg, A. J., et al. (1989). Anticholinergic effects on memory: Benztropine versus amantadine. Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology.

                        Kidron, A., et al. (2023). Phenothiazine. StatPearls.

                        Navinta LLC. (2022). BENZTROPINE MESYLATE injection [package insert]. DailyMed.

                        Weledji, E. P. (2020). Perspectives on paralytic ileus. Acute Medicine & Surgery.

                        GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.
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