Anticholinergic medicines for cerebral palsy

Examples

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

How It Works

Anticholinergic medicines reduce uncontrollable body movements in people who have dystonic cerebral palsy.

Why It Is Used

Anticholinergic medicines are used to treat muscle stiffness, tremors, and spasms. They are used for people who have nonspastic forms of cerebral palsy.

How Well It Works

These medicines 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 medicine may lose its effectiveness. The baclofen (antispasmodic) pump may work better for people with dystonic cerebral palsy.

Side Effects

Common side effects of anticholinergic medicines are dry eyes and blurred vision, constipation, and dry mouth. Anticholinergics should not be taken along with antihistamines 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 has not been approved for use in children younger than age 3.

Anticholinergics are also used to control drooling, but there are no guidelines for using them for this condition.

If you have the eye disease glaucoma, talk with an eye doctor before you start taking anticholinergics. People who have glaucoma may need to be watched more closely while they are taking these medicines.

Complete the new medication information form (PDF) (What is a PDF document?) to help you understand this medication.

Author:	Debby Golonka, MPH	Last Updated: October 14, 2008
Medical Review:	Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics Louis Pellegrino, MD - Developmental Pediatrics
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