Uses

This medication is used to treat symptoms of Parkinson's disease or movement disorders (extrapyramidal signs-EPS) due to the side effects of certain psychiatric drugs (antipsychotics such as chlorpromazine/haloperidol). Ethopropazine belongs to a class of medications called phenothiazines. It works by blocking a certain natural substance (acetylcholine). This helps to decrease symptoms such as muscle stiffness/spasms, shaking, and excess saliva. Ethopropazine does not treat movement problems caused by tardive dyskinesia and may worsen them.

How To Use

Take this medication by mouth with or without food as directed by your doctor, usually 2 to 3 times a day. Your doctor may direct you to start this medication at a low dose and gradually increase your dose to find the best dose for you. The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment.

Take this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same times each day.

Tell your doctor if your condition does not get better or if it gets worse.

Side Effects

Drowsiness, dizziness, headache, blurred vision, constipation, or dry mouth may occur as your body adjusts to the medication. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

To relieve dry mouth, suck (sugarless) hard candy or ice chips, chew (sugarless) gum, drink water, or use a saliva substitute.

Remember that this medication has been prescribed because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

Tell your doctor right away if you have any very serious side effects, including:

• severe stomach/abdominal pain
• difficult/painful swallowing
• numb/tingling skin
• difficulty urinating
• easy bleeding/bruising
• signs of infection (such as sore throat that doesn't go away)
• mental/mood changes (such as confusion, hallucinations, memory problems)

Get medical help right away if you have any very serious side effects, including:

• eye pain/swelling/redness
• vision changes (such as seeing rainbows around lights at night)

This medication may rarely cause a very serious condition called neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS). Get medical help right away if you have any of the following symptoms:

• fever
• muscle stiffness/pain/tenderness/weakness
• severe tiredness
• severe confusion
• sweating
• fast/irregular heartbeat
• dark urine
• signs of kidney problems (such as change in the amount of urine)

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including:

• rash
• itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat)
• severe dizziness
• trouble breathing

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

In the US -

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch.

In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Precautions

Before taking ethopropazine, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to other phenothiazines (such as chlorpromazine); or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of:

• personal or family history of glaucoma
• breathing problems (such as asthma, emphysema)
• heart problems (such as chest pain, heart attack, heart failure, fast/irregular heartbeat)
• high blood pressure
• stomach/intestinal problems (such as blockage, ileus, ulcer, ulcerative colitis)
• esophageal problems (such as heartburn, hiatal hernia)
• kidney disease
• liver disease
• mental/mood problems (such as anxiety, psychosis)
• myasthenia gravis
• seizure
• overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism)
• difficulty urinating (for example, due to enlarged prostate)

This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy or blur your vision. Alcohol or marijuana (cannabis) can make you more dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs alertness or clear vision until you can do it safely. Avoid alcoholic beverages. Talk to your doctor if you are using marijuana (cannabis).

This drug may make you sweat less, making you more likely to get heat stroke. Avoid doing things that may cause you to overheat, such as hard work or exercise in hot weather, or using hot tubs. When the weather is hot, drink a lot of fluids and dress lightly. If you overheat, quickly look for a place to cool down and rest. Get medical help right away if you have a fever that does not go away, mental/mood changes, headache, or dizziness.

Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).

Older adults may be more sensitive to the effects of this drug, especially dizziness, difficulty urinating, and constipation.

During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.

It is unknown if this drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Drug Interactions

Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.

Some products that may interact with this drug include:

• metoclopramide
• potassium tablets/capsules
• pramlintide

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking other products that cause drowsiness including alcohol, marijuana (cannabis), antihistamines (such as cetirizine, diphenhydramine), drugs for sleep or anxiety (such as alprazolam, diazepam, zolpidem), muscle relaxants, and opioid pain relievers (such as codeine).

Check the labels on all your medicines (such as allergy or cough-and-cold products) because they may contain ingredients that cause drowsiness. Ask your pharmacist about using those products safely.

Overdose

If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 9-1-1. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center. Symptoms of overdose may include: fast/slow/irregular heartbeat, severe drowsiness/dizziness, slow/shallow breathing, seizures, mental/mood changes (such as confusion, restlessness).

Notes

Do not share this medication with others.

Lab and/or medical tests (such as complete blood count, eye exams) should be done while you are taking this medication. Keep all medical and lab appointments. Consult your doctor for more details.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose. Take your next dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Storage

Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.