Atropine
Benztropine
Cholinergic Agents
Diphenhydramine
Parkinson Disease

Benztropine

Benztropine is classified as a synthetic muscarinic receptor antagonist, also known as an anticholinergic drug, and shares a structural resemblance with diphenhydramine and atropine. Benztropine is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as an adjunctive therapy for various forms of parkinsonism, including idiopathic and postencephalitic parkinsonism. This medication extends its therapeutic application beyond Parkinson disease, effectively addressing drug-induced extrapyramidal symptoms and playing a crucial role in preventing and treating acute dystonic reactions. Due to its prolonged duration of action, benztropine requires less frequent dosing than diphenhydramine. Benztropine exerts its action in the central nervous system (CNS) and smooth muscles by competing with acetylcholine at muscarinic receptors. Consequently, it reduces central cholinergic effects by blocking muscarinic receptors, which appears to alleviate the symptoms of Parkinson disease. With a lower level of CNS stimulation than trihexyphenidyl, benztropine is the preferred drug for geriatric patients. This activity reviews the indications, mechanism of action, administration, contraindications, and adverse effects of benztropine in managing Parkinson disease. This activity is tailored to provide interprofessional healthcare team members with the knowledge necessary for making well-informed decisions regarding the use of benztropine in diverse clinical scenarios.

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