Anticholinergic Medication

Anticholinergic medications are used to treat tremor and dystonia in people with Parkinson’s. They do this by reducing the amount of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that is in balance with dopamine in the body. Anticholinergic medications are also sometimes prescribed to help with drooling. Anticholinergic medications are usually best tolerated by younger people and should be avoided by elderly people with Parkinson’s because they can increase confusion, cognitive slowing, and hallucinations. Other possible side effects include dry mouth, worsening of glaucoma, blurry vision, and urinary retention.