Benztropine, with the chemical formula 3alpha-diphenylmethoxytropane, is a tropane-based dopamine inhibitor used for the symptomatic treatment of Parkinson's disease. It is a combination molecule between a tropane ring, similar to cocaine, and a diphenyl ether from the dialkylpiperazines determined to be a dopamine uptake inhibitor since 1970. The generation of structure-activity relationships proved that benztropine derivatives with the presence of a chlorine substituent in the para position in one of the phenyl rings produces an increased potency for dopamine uptake inhibition as well as a decreased inhibition of serotonin and norepinephrine.[A37914] Benztropine was developed by USL Pharma and officially approved by the FDA on 1996.[L5500]
Benztropine is indicated to be used as an adjunct in the therapy of all forms of parkinsonism. It can also be used for the control of extrapyramidal disorders due to neuroleptic drugs.[T203] The extrapyramidal symptoms are defined as drug-induced disorders that include symptoms of dystonia, akathisia, parkinsonism, bradykinesia, tremors, and dyskinesia.[A175120] Parkinsonism is a general term that refers to the group of neurological disorders that produce symptoms similar to Parkinson's disease such as tremors, slow movement, and stiffness. The parkinsonism includes a large number of disorders and some of them have not been clearly defined.[L5509]
Drug Info/Drug Targets: DrugBank 3.0: a comprehensive resource for 'omics' research on drugs. Knox C, Law V, Jewison
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