Estimation of Post-Mortem Concentration of TrihexyphenidyI and Benztropine in Albino Rats

Abstract

Trihexyphenidyl (parkinol) and benztropine (cogentin) are now used in psychiatric patients for the releif of neuroleptic-induced extrapyramidal symptoms. They have reported to have mood elevating, euphorigenic and socially stimulatjng effects and are liable to abuse by schizophrenic patients (Lo aiUI Tsai, 1996).

Side effects of these drugs include dilirium, intellectual impairment and anticholinergic toxic psychosis. They also cause tachycardia, urinary retention, anhydrosis, mydriasis, failure of accomodation, dry mouth, reduced intestinal motility, delayed empyting of the gall bladder and seizures.

So, in this work a comparative study of the different methods of qualitative and quantitative detection of trihexyphenidyl and benztropine in blood, tissues and hair after acute and subchronic exposure and at different post­ mortem intervals was made in albino rats.