Artane (Trihexyphenidyl) vs Cogentin (Benztropine)

[electricblack]

Hello to all my Psych nurses,

I have been wondering, we use Artane or Cogentin to treat EPS in Psychiatric nursing a lot. I am just curious as to what is the difference between the two; why use the one over the other?

[amt838]

The only time we use artane is more with clients with Parkinson or Parkinson like syndromes.It has more of the muscle relaxation and for akathesia. Cogentin doesn't do well with these people.Sometimes they will use it in people with like CP or MS any of the muscle disorders.

[matthdrn]

Artane is also a lot more expensive for a lot of people without insurance in the outpatient world.

[Jules A, MSN]

If giving it as eps prophylaxis for prn use due to agitation or psychosis in most cases I prefer Benadryl. Similar protection but a bit more sedating which can be a welcome addition.

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

It could depend on what drug is on the hospital's formulary. If Artane isn't on the formulary, they're not going to use it.

[PsychNurse1823]

I work at the state facility, so obviously cost is a huge deciding factor for them. We don't have Artane available, which hasn't ever been an issue.

[EKUGRAD, BSN, MSN, RN, CNS]

We had to quit using Artane. Too many cocaine addicts were using it to ameliorate their withdrawal symptoms between hits.

[TerpGal02, ASN]

We had to quit using Artane. Too many cocaine addicts were using it to ameliorate their withdrawal symptoms between hits.

This. There is a potential for abuse with Artane. Its also a lot more dangerous in the case of an overdose. I rarely see it used. Really I have only seen it in pts that are real chronics, been on antipsychotics for a long time and have Parkinsonism or TD from them.

[JonathanClouse]

I once had a Psychiatrist who started me on Cogentin just in case I developed EPS. After starting it, I began experiencing blurry vision. I informed the doctor who told me that the blurry vision was impossible because "Cogentin has no side effects".