Kemadrin (Procyclidine)

Description

Kemadrin is an antispasmodic compound used in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease.

Drug Information

Kemadrin belongs to a group of drugs called anticholinergics. These drugs can block the neurotransmitter acetylcholine from stimulating the central and peripheral nervous system. By doing so, Kemadrin can block parasympathetic nerve impulses that cause involuntary movements of smooth muscles that people feel as convulsions in the body.

Because of its antispasmodic nature, Kemadrin is useful for treating all forms of Parkinson’s disease, including idiopathic, arteriosclerotic and post-encephalitic. Kemadrin may also be used to treat spasms caused as a side effect of using certain psychiatric drugs.

Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder that mostly affects the elderly and is visibly identified by shaky and imprecise movement. Kemadrin can relieve symptoms of Parkinson’s disease such as movement trouble, excessive sweating, difficulty in swallowing saliva and muscle stiffness. Kemadrin can help patients execute movements better, but it does not directly treat movement problems, especially the ones caused by other diseases such as tardive dyskinesia.

Dosage

Kemadrin should only be taken when prescribed by a doctor. Dosage will vary from patient to patient as the prescribing physician deems appropriate. Kemadrin doses should be taken exactly as prescribed by the doctor.

Kemadrin is available in tablet form. Kemadrin tablets should be swallowed. Though an accompanying meal does not affect the intake of Kemadrin by the body, food can ease stomach upsets some patients may experience when taking Kemadrin.

Kemadrin is usually prescribed to be taken 3 to 4 times daily including a dose at bedtime. For Parkinson’s disease, the recommended starting dose is 2.5 mg per day with dosage being increased every 2 or 3 days. The recommended maximum dosage is 60 mg per day. Similar Kemadrin doses are prescribed for other medical conditions as well.
Inactive ingredients in Kemadrin tablets may include lactose, magnesium stearate and potato starch.

Side Effects

Kemadrin may cause one or more of the following side effects:

 Blurred vision
 Dizziness
 Flushing
 Dry mouth
 Nausea
 Constipation
 Urinary retention
 (In high doses) confusion

Usually, side effects disappear in a matter of days. Call a doctor if side effects continue to persist or gets worse.

Precautions

 Do not take Kemadrin if allergic to any of the ingredients in the drug.

 Patients afflicted with obstructive disease of the gastrointestinal tract, narrow angle glaucoma or predisposed to glaucoma, and urinary problems associated with prostatic hypertrophy, should discuss the benefits versus risks of taking Kemadrin with a medical professional.

 Kemadrin is not suitable for treating spasms and convulsions associated with tardive dyskinesia. Kemadrin can possibly worsen this condition.

 Patients taking Kemadrin in high doses, especially the elderly, could be at risk for disturbances of the central nervous system such as hallucinations, disorientation, memory impairment or confused episodes.

 Necessary precautions should be taken when taking Kemadrin with a history of liver or kidney disease. Kemadrin does not cause liver or kidney problems, but the drug could cause problems as it is metabolized and disposed of by these organs.

 Kemadrin is not recommended for people with galactose intolerance, Lapp lactase deficiency and glucose-galactose malabsorption.