Anticholinergic medications for cerebral palsy
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Examples
| Brand Name | Chemical Name |
| Cogentin | benztropine mesylate |
| Brand Name | Chemical Name |
| Sinemet | carbidopa-levodopa |
| Brand Name | Chemical Name |
| Robinul | glycopyrrolate |
| Brand Name | Chemical Name |
| Kemadrin | procyclidine hydrochloride |
| Brand Name | Chemical Name |
| Artane | trihexyphenidyl hydrochloride |
How It Works
Anticholinergic medications reduce uncontrollable body movements in people who have dystonic cerebral palsy.
Why It Is Used
Anticholinergic medications are used to treat muscle stiffness, tremors, and spasms. It is used for people who have nonspastic forms of cerebral palsy.
How Well It Works
These medications are primarily used to treat symptoms of Parkinson's disease and have not been well-studied as treatment for cerebral palsy. Although initially they help improve muscular problems in some people, the gains often are temporary. Over time, the medication may lose its effectiveness. The baclofen (antispasmodic) pump may work better for dystonic patients.
Side Effects
Common side effects of anticholinergic medications are dry eyes and blurred vision, constipation, and dry mouth. Anticholinergics should not be taken along with antihistamine medications that can be bought without a prescription (such as Benadryl) to treat colds, the flu, or allergies. Using anticholinergics with antihistamines further increases mouth dryness and dryness in other moist, mucus-lined areas in the body.
See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)
What To Think About
The most commonly used anticholinergic, benztropine mesylate (Cogentin), has not been approved for use in children younger than age 3. It cannot be used in people who have glaucoma.
Anticholinergics are also used to control drooling, but there are no guidelines for using them for this condition.
Complete the new medication information form (PDF) (What is a PDF document?) to help you understand this medication.
Credits
| Author | Sabra L. Katz-Wise |
| Author | Ralph Poore |
| Editor | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA |
| Associate Editor | Pat Truman |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Louis Pellegrino, MD - Developmental Pediatrics |
| Last Updated | November 20, 2006 |
Print This
| Last updated: | November 20, 2006 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Ralph Poore |
| Reviewed By: | Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics, Louis Pellegrino, MD - Developmental Pediatrics |
| Editors: | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman |
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