Trihexyphenidyl (THP,benzhexol,trihex, marketed asArtane and others) is anantispasmodic drug used to treat stiffness, tremors, spasms, and poor muscle control. It is an agent of theantimuscarinic class and is often used inmanagement of Parkinson's disease. It was approved by theFDA for the treatment of Parkinson's in the US in 1949.[2][3]
Inorganophosphate poisoning, trihexyphenidyl is a more effectiveantidote than atropine to counteract the cholinergic crisis, seizures, and neuropathology.[12]
Ileus (disruption of the normal propulsive ability of the intestine)
Caution: People with obstructive diseases of the urogenital tract, people with a known history of seizures and those with potentially dangeroustachycardia
Dose-dependentside effects are frequent, but typically lessen over time as the body adapts to the medication. All of the following symptoms considered, Artane has been shown to dramatically and consistently improve neurologic defects in people aged 16–86 over the course of five years.[14] People who are older or who have psychiatric conditions may become confused or developdelirium. Side effects include but are not limited to:[15]
Central nervous system:drowsiness,vertigo,headache, anddizziness are frequent. With high doses nervousness, agitation,anxiety, delirium, and confusion are noted. Trihexyphenidyl may be abused due to a short acting mood-elevating and euphoric effect. The normal sleep architecture may be altered (REM sleep depression). Trihexyphenidyl may lower the seizure-threshold.
Peripheral side effects: dry mouth, impaired sweating, abdominal discomfort,nausea, andconstipation are frequent.Tachycardia or heart palpitations (fast heart rate) may be noted. Allergic reactions are rare, but may occur. Many of these peripheral symptoms, especially considering an acute increase in anxiety with various physical complaints, as well as evidence of orthostatic hypotension and tachycardia are indicative ofwithdrawal, especially in people with psychiatric conditions[16]
Eyes: trihexyphenidyl causesmydriasis with or withoutphotophobia. It may precipitate narrow angle glaucoma or cause blurred vision.
Tolerance may develop during therapy which requires dose adjustments.
Trihexyphenidyl and other antiparkinsonian drugs are known to be substances of abuse. This is true both inabusers of other substances and in chronic schizophrenics, the latter being infrequent abusers of other drugs.[17]
Overdose mimics anatropine intoxication with dryness of mucous membranes, red face, bowel and bladder paralysis, andhyperthermia in high doses. Central nervous system consequences are agitation, confusion, and hallucinations. An untreated overdose may be fatal, particularly in children. Premortal signs arerespiratory depression, arrhythmia andcardiac arrest.
A case report of 24-hour long arrhythmia was treated withverapamil.[18]
The exactmechanism of action in parkinsonian syndromes is not precisely understood, but it is known that trihexyphenidyl blocks efferent impulses in parasympathetically innervated structures like smooth muscles (spasmolytic activity), salivary glands, and eyes (mydriasis). In higher doses direct central inhibition of cerebral motor centers may contribute. In very high doses central toxicity as seen inatropine overdose is noted.
Trihexyphenidyl is rapidly absorbed from thegastrointestinal tract. The onset of action is within 1 hour after oral dosing. The peak activity is noted after 2 to 3 hours.[23] The duration of action of one single dose is 6 to 12 hours in a dose dependent manner. It is excreted in the urine, probably as unchanged drug. More precise data in animals and humans have so far not been determined.[24][25]
Trihexyphenidyl can be synthesized in two ways, one linear and one convergent synthesis.
In the first way, the initial 2-(1-piperidino)propiophenone is synthesized in turn by the aminomethylation ofacetophenone usingparaformaldehyde andpiperidine in aMannich reaction. In the second step the 2-(1-piperidino)propiophenone is reacted with cyclohexylmagnesium bromide in aGrignard reaction.[26]
Trihexyphenidyl has been clinically relevant in trials pertaining to Parkinson's disease since 1949.[28]
In the United States, theFood and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Artane, or its generic form trihexyphenidyl hydrochloride, in June 2003, for the clinical use of all types of parkinsonism.[29]
The neurologistOliver Sacks reported using the drug recreationally in the 1960s.[30] He recalled taking "a large dose" knowing full well the drug was intended for people with Parkinson's. More recounts of Dr. Sacks' experiences — including experimentation withmescaline,psilocybin,LSD, and probablyDMT[31] — have been compared in his bookHallucinations.
During the 1970s, trihexyphenidyl (trade name Parkan) was the most popular recreationally used prescription drug inHungary.[32]
In a 2008 news report, trihexyphenidyl was seen to be used for recreational purposes among Iraqi soldiers and police, among other prescription drugs. The report states that the drugs were taken to relievecombat stress reaction.[33] Although that may be the case for some, others used Artane as a substitute or more intense version of LSD. This was especially prevalent in the 1960s, according to a report in "The New Yorker". Similarly to those in Iraqi forces, some of the appeal was that the individual may retain partial control while under the influence.[34] It is still diverted from its primary use, in combination with other drugs, on theRéunion island (France).[35]
^Harris MK, Shneyder N, Borazanci A, Korniychuk E, Kelley RE, Minagar A (March 2009). "Movement disorders".The Medical Clinics of North America. Common Neurologic Disorders.93 (2):371–88, viii.doi:10.1016/j.mcna.2008.09.002.PMID19272514.
^Inada T (December 2017). "[Drug-Induced Akathisia]".Brain and Nerve = Shinkei Kenkyu No Shinpo.69 (12):1417–1424.doi:10.11477/mf.1416200927.PMID29282345.
^Ben-Pazi H (July 2011). "Trihexyphenidyl improves motor function in children with dystonic cerebral palsy: a retrospective analysis".Journal of Child Neurology.26 (7):810–816.doi:10.1177/0883073810392582.PMID21498790.
^Sanger TD, Bastian A, Brunstrom J, Damiano D, Delgado M, Dure L, et al. (May 2007). "Prospective open-label clinical trial of trihexyphenidyl in children with secondary dystonia due to cerebral palsy".Journal of Child Neurology.22 (5):530–7.doi:10.1177/0883073807302601.PMID17690057.S2CID73087776.
^Tarnopolsky M, Alshahoumi R (November 2015). ""Complex I Deficiency". In Saneto R, Parikh S, Cohen BH (eds.).Mitochondrial Case Studies: Underlying Mechanisms and Diagnosis. Academic Press. pp. 257–64.ISBN978-0-12-801149-2.
^Reid SM, Westbury C, Guzys AT, Reddihough DS (March 2020). "Anticholinergic medications for reducing drooling in children with developmental disability".Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology.62 (3):346–353.doi:10.1111/dmcn.14350.hdl:11343/286392.PMID31495925.
^Doshay LJ, Constable K, Zier A (April 1954). "Five year follow-up of treatment with trihexyphenidyl (artane); outcome in four hundred eleven cases of paralysis agitans".Journal of the American Medical Association.154 (16):1334–6.doi:10.1001/jama.1954.02940500014005.PMID13151847.
^abcLakstygal AM, Kolesnikova TO, Khatsko SL, Zabegalov KN, Volgin AD, Demin KA, et al. (May 2019). "DARK Classics in Chemical Neuroscience: Atropine, Scopolamine, and Other Anticholinergic Deliriant Hallucinogens".ACS Chem Neurosci.10 (5):2144–2159.doi:10.1021/acschemneuro.8b00615.PMID30566832.
^McEvoy GK, ed. (2006). "Trihexyphenidyl".AHFS drug information. Bethesda, MD: American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. p. 1256.
^Weiss MJ, O'Donoghue MD (September 1957). "Synthesis of Certain 3-Hydroxy-3-phenylpropylsulfonium Salts. Sulfonium Analogs of Artane (Trihexyphenidyl) and Pathilon (Tridihexethyl Iodide)".Journal of the American Chemical Society.79 (17):4771–6.Bibcode:1957JAChS..79.4771W.doi:10.1021/ja01574a048.
^Rote Liste Service GmbH (Hrsg.) (2017).Rote Liste 2017 – Arzneimittelverzeichnis für Deutschland (einschließlich EU-Zulassungen und bestimmter Medizinprodukte). Vol. 57. Frankfurt/Main: Rote Liste Service GmbH. p. 224.ISBN978-3-946057-10-9.
^Doshay LJ, Constable K (August 1949). "Artane therapy for parkinsonism; a preliminary study of results in 117 cases".Journal of the American Medical Association.140 (17):1317–22.doi:10.1001/jama.1949.02900520003002.PMID18137284.
^Sacks O (20 August 2012)."Altered States".The New Yorker. Condé Nast. Retrieved7 May 2017.
^Guyon J, Maillot A, Bastard S, Weisse F, Daveluy A, Mété D (February 2025). "Psychoactive cocktail consumption on Reunion Island: A case report".Journal of Analytical Toxicology.49 (5):369–373.doi:10.1093/jat/bkaf009.PMID39953779.
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This article incorporatespublic domain material fromToxnet:Trihexyphenidyl.United States Department of Health and Human Services. Retrieved8 May 2017.