Description
Common use
Artane is used to treat symptoms of Parkinson's disease. It can be prescribed alone or in combination with other medications. It controls rigidity, drooling, tremors and other Parkinson's disease. Also, it can be prescribed to prevent similar symptoms caused by chlorpromazine (Thorazine), fluphenazine (Prolixin), perphenazine (Trilafon) and others.
Dosage and directions
Artane should be used only by the patient for whom it has been prescribed. Do not take less or more or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. Artane dosage depends on your conditions it should be taken exactly as prescribed. Usually, Artane is prescribed as a capsule, tablet and liquid taken 3-4 times a day with food at bedtime. Controlled-released Artane should be taken once to twice a day every 12 hours.
Precautions
Before taking Artane to discuss with your doctor if you have liver o kidney disease. Use it with caution. The medicine may cause dizziness or lightheadedness. Avoid drinking alcohol o other medicines. It can make worse the side effects. Do not drive or perform other unsafely work until you know how you react to this drug. Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while you take Artane Tablets. Proper dental care is needed while you are taking Artane Tablets. Brush and floss your teeth and visit the dentist regularly. If your symptoms do not improve or if they worsen, contact your doctor.
Contraindications
You may need a special dosage adjustment or you may not be able to take this drug if you have a liver o kidney infection or if you have gastrointestinal problems.
Possible side effects
The most serious side effects are severe neutropenia (low white blood cells), haemorrhage (gastrointestinal or cerebral), thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), headache, indigestion, flushing. Seek medical help immediately if your side effects do not ease off for several hours.
Drug interaction
Artane interacts with certain products phenytoin (Dilantin); tamoxifen (Nolvadex); tolbutamide (Orinase); torsemide (Demadex); fluvastatin (Lescol); a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin), heparin, ardeparin (Normiflo), dalteparin (Fragmin), danaparoid (Orgaran), enoxaparin (Lovenox), or tinzaparin (Innohep); (Activase), anistreplase (Eminase), dipyridamole (Persantine), streptokinase (Kabikinase, Streptase), ticlopidine (Ticlid), and urokinase (Abbokinase). Disscuss with your doctor if you are taking the above-mentioned drugs.
Missed dose
If you miss a dose take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the Missed Dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
Overdose
The symptoms of Artane overdose aren't known. If you think that you overdosed the medicine seek medical help immediately.
Storage
Keep at the temperature between 59–86F (15–30 C), away from heat, moisture, light and children.
