PATIENT INFORMATION LEAFLET

TRIHEXYPHENIDYL 2mg Tablets

Please read all of this leaflet carefully before you start taking this medicine.

Keep the leaflet, you may need to read it again.

If you have any questions or are not sure about anything, ask your doctor or pharmacist. This medicine has been prescribed for you. Do not pass it on to others. It may

harm them, even if their symptoms are the same as yours.

If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. See section 4.

in this leaflet:

1.    What Trihexyphenidyl Tablets are and what they are used for

2.    Before you take Trihexyphenidyl Tablets

3.    How to take Trihexyphenidyl Tablets

4.    Possible side effects

5.    How to store Trihexyphenidyl Tablets

6.    Further information

i. what trihexyphenidyl tablets are and what they are used for

Trihexyphenidyl belongs to a group of medicines called antimuscarinics (sometimes called anticholinergics). It works by correcting a chemical imbalance in the brain that affects the transmission of nerve impulses.

It is used to treat Parkinson’s disease by improving muscle control and reducing stiffness so patients can move more naturally. It is also used to treat abnormal face and body movements, muscle spasms and restlessness caused by certain drugs.

2. before you take trihexyphenidyl tablets Do not take these tablets if:

• you are allergic to trihexyphenidyl hydrochloride or any of the other ingredients in the tablets (see section 6).

(An allergic reaction may be recognised as shortness of breath, blocked nose, rash, itching, swollen face or lips). Check with your doctor before taking these tablets if:

•    you have hardening of the arteries

•    you have ever had a reaction to any other medicine

•    you have high blood pressure

•    you have heart, liver or kidney problems

•    you have an enlarged prostate gland, have bladder problems or have difficulty in passing urine

•    you have glaucoma (increased pressure in the eye)

•    you have a blockage in your stomach or bowel

•    you are elderly

•    you have a condition called myasthenia gravis (a rare muscle weakness disorder)

•    you experience unusual movements of the face, tongue, arms and legs as this may be a sign of a serious condition known as tardive dyskinesia

•    you are pregnant or breast feeding. This medicine should

NOT be taken during breast feeding.

Taking other medicines

Check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking these tablets if you are taking any other medicines, including any that you can buy without a prescription. This is especially important if you are taking:

•    nefopam (used for pain relief)

•    ketoconazole (used to treat fungal infections)

•    disopyramide (used to treat irregular heart beat)

•    metoclopramide or domperidone (used to stop you feeling or being sick)

•    amantadine or levodopa (used to treat Parkinson’s disease)

•    monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) e.g. isocarboxacid or moclobemide or tri-cyclic antidepressants e.g. amitriptyline (for treating depression)

•    antihistamines (used to treat allergies)

•    phenothiazines e.g. chlorpromazine (used to treat mental illness)

•    any other medicines to help your muscles to contract and which are being used to avoid problems following an operation, such as difficulty passing urine or to treat a condition known as myasthenia gravis (e.g. neostigmine, distigmine)

•    any medicine you have to dissolve under your tongue e.g. glyceryl trinitrate (used to treat angina)

•    any other anti-muscarinic medicines such as those being used to treat irritable bowel syndrome, stomach or bowel

conditions (e.g. atropine, hyoscine), bladder problems (e.g. darifenacin, oxybutynin) or Parkinson’s disease (e.g. benzatropine, procyclidine). Taking these medicines at the same time may increase the risk of side effects such as dry mouth, difficulty in passing urine and constipation. If you are elderly you may also become confused.

Driving or using machinery

Some people may experience blurred vision or feel dizzy or less alert than usual when they are taking these tablets.

Do not drive or operate machinery if this happens to you. Important information about one of the ingredients of this medicine:

Contains lactose. If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicine.

3. how to take trihexyphenidyl tablets

Swallow the tablets with a drink of water just before or with a meal.