Cogentin vs. Kemadrin

Cogentin (benztropine mesylate) and Kemadrin (procyclidine hydrochloride) are anti-Parkinson's agents prescribed for treating the symptoms of Parkinson's disease and related drug-induced side effects.

The brand name Kemadrin is discontinued, but generic versions may be available.

Side effects of Cogentin and Kemadrin that are similar include drowsiness, dizziness, nausea, vision changes/blurred or double vision, nervousness, or dry mouth.

Side effects of Cogentin that are different from Kemadrin include headache, loss of appetite, stomach upset, sleeplessness, trembling of the hands, numbness in your fingers, depression, memory problems, excitability, or increased sensitivity to light.

Side effects of Kemadrin that are different from Cogentin include lightheadedness, constipation, flushing, vomiting, abdominal pain, or weakness.

Both Cogentin and Kemadrin may interact with alcohol, other medicines that make you sleepy (such as cold or allergy medicines, antihistamines, sedatives, narcotics, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicines for seizures, depression, or anxiety), amantadine, or potassium supplements.

Cogentin may also interact with glycopyrrolate, mepenzolate, diuretics (water pills), atropine, belladonna, dimenhydrinate, meclizine, methscopolamine, scopolamine, bladder or urinary medications, bronchodilators, irritable bowel medications, medicines to treat Alzheimer's dementia, or medicines to treat psychiatric disorders.

Kemadrin may also interact with pramlintide, anticholinergics/antispasmodics, antiarrhythmics, cholinesterase inhibitors, corticosteroids, MAO inhibitors, or motion sickness medications.

Side effects of Cogentin include:

• drowsiness,
• dizziness,
• headache,
• loss of appetite,
• nausea,
• stomach upset,
• vision changes,
• sleeplessness,
• trembling of the hands,
• numbness in your fingers,
• depression,
• memory problems,
• nervousness,
• excitability,
• dry mouth,
• double vision, or
• increased sensitivity to light.

Common side effects of Kemadrin include:

• drowsiness,
• dizziness,
• lightheadedness,
• constipation,
• flushing,
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• abdominal pain,
• nervousness,
• blurred vision,
• weakness, or
• dry mouth

These effects usually lessen as your body gets used to Kemadrin.

Cogentin (benztropine mesylate) is an anti-Parkinson's agent and anticholinergic agent prescribed for treating the symptoms of Parkinson's disease and related drug-induced side effects.

Kemadrin (procyclidine hydrochloride) is an anticholinergic/antispasmodic drug 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).

Cogentin may interact with alcohol, other medicines that make you sleepy (such as cold or allergy medicine, sedatives, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression, or anxiety), amantadine, glycopyrrolate, mepenzolate, diuretics (water pills), potassium supplements, antidepressants, atropine, belladonna, dimenhydrinate, meclizine, methscopolamine, scopolamine, bladder or urinary medications, bronchodilators, irritable bowel medications, medicines to treat Alzheimer's dementia, or medicines to treat psychiatric disorders. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using Cogentin; it is unknown if it will harm a fetus. It is unknown if Cogentin passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

Kemadrin may interact with pramlintide, other amantadine, anticholinergics/antispasmodics, antiarrhythmics, cholinesterase inhibitors, corticosteroids, MAO inhibitors, motion sickness medications, narcotics, potassium tablets/capsules, antidepressants, or other drugs that cause drowsiness (such as antihistamines, anti-seizure drugs, medicine for sleep or anxiety, muscle relaxants, or psychiatric medicines). Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use.

Cogentin usual adult dose ranges from 0.5 - 6 mg/day in 1-2 divided doses.

The dosage of Kemadrin for the treatment of parkinsonism depends upon the age of the patient, the cause of the disease, and individual responsiveness.