Artane / Trihexyphenidyl Side Effects

Bipolar Medications Library

Artane - generic Trihexyphenidyl - is used to control Parkinsonian symptoms that may be caused by medications prescribed for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, including tremor, rigidity, and increased salivation, akathisia manifested by extreme restlessness, and dyskinesias characterized by spastic contractions and involuntary movements.

Common Side Effects:

Check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome:

Blurred vision; constipation; decreased sweating; difficult or painful urination (especially in older men); drowsiness; dryness of mouth, nose, or throat; increased sensitivity of eyes to light; nausea or vomiting

Less Common Side Effects:

Check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome:

Dizziness or lightheadedness when getting up from a lying or sitting position; false sense of well-being (especially in the elderly or with high doses); headache; loss of memory (especially in the elderly); muscle cramps; nervousness; numbness or weakness in hands or feet; soreness of mouth and tongue; stomach upset or pain; unusual excitement (more common with large doses of trihexyphenidyl)

Always Notify Doctor:

Rare: Confusion (more common in the elderly or with high doses); eye pain; skin rash

Withdrawal Side Effects - Notify Doctor:

Anxiety; difficulty in speaking or swallowing; dizziness or lightheadedness when getting up from a lying or sitting position; fast heartbeat; loss of balance control; mask-like face; muscle spasms, especially of face, neck, and back; restlessness or desire to keep moving; shuffling walk; stiffness of arms or legs; trembling and shaking of hands and fingers; trouble in sleeping; twisting movements of body

Overdose Effects - Notify Doctor:

Clumsiness or unsteadiness; drowsiness (severe); dryness of mouth, nose, or throat (severe); fast heartbeat; hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there); mood or mental changes; seizures; shortness of breath or troubled breathing; trouble in sleeping; warmth, dryness, and flushing of skin

Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.

Disclaimer: This is not intended to be all-inclusive or to replace information provided by your doctor or with the prescription from the manufacturer.