Procyclidine

Dosage Forms Available

• Procyclidine is available for use via oral route in the form of tablets and syrup.

Age and Dose Restrictions

• This medicine is meant for adults. Procyclidine is not recommended for use in children as safety and effectiveness have not been established.

Contraindications

• Procyclidine is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to it or any of its components. It is also contraindicated in patients with angle-closure glaucoma (enlarged iris blocks fluid from draining properly in your eye), myasthenia gravis (chronic autoimmune disorder), gastrointestinal obstruction (partial or complete blockage of the intestines) and severe ulcerative colitis (inflammatory bowel disease that causes inflammation and ulcers in the colon and rectum).

Other Medications to Avoid

• Procyclidine may interact with other anticholinergic drugs (e.g., atropine, benztropine), antipsychotics (e.g., olanzapine, risperidone), tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., amitriptyline, doxepin), anti-convulsants (e.g., clonazepam, lamotrigine) and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (e.g., selegiline, phenelzine).

Overdose and Missed Dose

• An overdose of Procyclidine may cause severe symptoms like flushing, dry skin or hallucinations. If you observe these symptoms, contact emergency medical services immediately.
• If you forget to take your dose of this medicine, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule. Do not double the dose to make up for the missed one.

Management of Side Effects

Most side effects are temporary and generally harmless and resolve when discontinuing this medicine. However, if you experience any severe side effects or worsening symptoms, please consult your doctor.

• Try frequent mouth rinses, good oral hygiene, and drinking lots of water for dry mouth.
• For constipation, increase fibre intake in your diet and stay hydrated.
• For dizziness or drowsiness, try to sit or lie down until the feeling passes. To reduce this effect, get up slowly when rising from a sitting or lying position.

Use in Driving and Operating Machinery

• Procyclidine may cause dizziness or drowsiness. It may affect your ability to drive or operate heavy machinery. Therefore, it is recommended to avoid these activities until you are sure how the medication affects you.

Use in Pregnancy and Lactation

• Procyclidine falls under pregnancy category C. It should only be used during pregnancy if the potential benefit justifies the risk to the foetus. It is not known if this medicine is excreted in human milk. Caution should be exercised when administering it to nursing women.

Caution in Other Conditions

• Patients with cardiovascular disease, liver or kidney impairment, or a history of seizures should use Procyclidine cautiously and under close medical monitoring.

Special Dietary and Lifestyle Recommendations

• Take each dose with a full glass of water after meals to lessen stomach upset.