Details

Procyclidine is used for treating Parkinson disease. Procyclidine is an anticholinergic agent. It works by relaxing smooth muscle, which stops muscle spasms. Do not use procyclidine if you are allergic to any ingredient in procyclidine or you have angle-closure glaucoma. Take procyclidine with food or immediately after finishing a meal. Procyclidine may cause light-headedness or blurred vision. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how you react to procyclidine.

Typical Uses

Procyclidine is used to treat symptoms of Parkinson's disease or involuntary movements due to the side effects of certain psychiatric drugs (antipsychotics such as chlorpromazine/haloperidol). Procyclidine belongs to a class of medication called anticholinergics that work by blocking a certain natural substance (acetylcholine). This helps decrease muscle stiffness, sweating, and the production of saliva, and helps improve walking ability in people with Parkinson's disease. Anticholinergics can stop severe muscle spasms of the back, neck, and eyes that are sometimes caused by psychiatric drugs. It can also decrease other side effects such as muscle stiffness/rigidity (extrapyramidal signs-EPS). It is not helpful in treating movement problems caused by tardive dyskinesia and may worsen them.

Side Effects

Procyclidine side effects may include dry mouth, blurred vision, nausea, vomiting, epigastric distress, constipation, light-headedness, muscular weakness.

Drug Interactions

• Procyclidine+topiramate- Topiramate can cause increased body temperature and decreased sweating, and these effects may be worsened when combined with medications like procyclidine. Heat stroke and hospitalization may occur in some people, especially in warm weather and during vigorous exercise. Children are particularly susceptible.
• Procyclidine+zonisamide- Zonisamide can cause increased body temperature and decreased sweating, and these effects may be worsened when combined with medications like procyclidine. Heat stroke and hospitalization may occur in some people, especially in warm weather and during vigorous exercise. Children are particularly susceptible.
• Procyclidine+potassium chloride- The following interaction applies only if you are taking potassium in a solid formulation. Talk to your doctor before using potassium oral tablets or capsules together with procyclidine. Depending on the dose of procyclidine and your overall physical health, combining these medications may increase the irritant effects of potassium on your stomach and upper intestine. This can rarely result in ulcers, bleeding, and other gastrointestinal injury.

Mechanism of action

Procyclidine belongs to a class of drugs called as antispasmodics. It acts by preventing sudden tightening of the muscles, thereby improving muscle co-ordination, and also relieves excessive salivation associated with Parkinsonism.

Pregnancy Category : C