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What is the most important information I should know about biperiden?

Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Biperiden may cause dizziness or blurred vision. If you experience dizziness or blurred vision, avoid these activities. Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness while you are taking biperiden.

Avoid becoming overheated. Biperiden may cause decreased sweating. This could lead to heat stroke in hot weather or with vigorous exercise.

What is biperiden?

Biperiden reduces the effects of certain naturally occurring chemicals in your body that may become unbalanced as a result of disease (such as Parkinson's disease), drug therapy, or other causes.

Biperiden is used to treat the stiffness, tremors, spasms, and poor muscle control of Parkinson's disease. It is also used to treat and prevent these same muscular conditions when they are caused by drugs such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine), fluphenazine (Prolixin), perphenazine (Trilafon), and others.

Biperiden may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

Who should not take biperiden?

You cannot take biperiden if you

• have ever had an allergic reaction to it,

• have narrow-angle glaucoma,

• have an obstruction in your bowel or a complication of bowel disease known as megacolon; or

• have myasthenia gravis.

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have

• an enlarged prostate or difficulty urinating,

• epilepsy or another seizure disorder,

• heart disease or an irregular heartbeat,

• depression or any other psychiatric illness, or

• kidney or liver disease.

You may need a lower dose or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.

Biperiden is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether it will harm an unborn baby. Do not take biperiden without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant. It is also not known whether biperiden passes into breast milk. Do not take biperiden without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take biperiden?

Take biperiden exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse or doctor to explain them to you.

Take each dose with a full glass of water. Take biperiden after a meal if it upsets your stomach.

Biperiden may be taken once or several times a day. The maximum amount of biperiden that should be taken in any one day is eight tablets (16 mg). Follow your doctor's instructions.

Store biperiden at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and only take your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention.

Symptoms of a biperiden overdose include large pupils; warm, dry skin; flushed face; fever; dry mouth; fast or irregular heartbeat; anxiety; hallucinations; confusion; agitation; hyperactivity; loss of consciousness; and seizures.

What should I avoid while taking biperiden?

Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Biperiden may cause dizziness or blurred vision. If you experience dizziness or blurred vision, avoid these activities. Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness while you are taking biperiden.

Avoid becoming overheated. Biperiden may cause decreased sweating. This could lead to heat stroke in hot weather or with vigorous exercise. Try to keep as cool as possible and watch for signs of heat stroke such as decreased sweating, nausea, and dizziness.