Anticholinergic medications for cerebral palsy

Examples

Generic Name	Brand Name
benztropine mesylate	Cogentin
carbidopa-levodopa	Sinemet
glycopyrrolate	Robinul
procyclidine hydrochloride	Kemadrin
trihexyphenidyl hydrochloride	Artane

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.

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Author:	Sabra L. Katz-Wise Ralph Poore	Last Updated November 20, 2006
Medical Review:	Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics Louis Pellegrino, MD - Developmental Pediatrics
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