Which drug's therapeutic effects include improving rigidity and sialorrhea; it's also described as a muscle relaxant and sedative?

• A. Cogentin
• B. Benadryl therapeutic effects
• C. Adverse effects
• D. Breast milk effects

Answer: (A)

In Parkinson disease, reducing excessive acetylcholine activity in the brain helps lessen rigidity and abnormal motor symptoms, and muscarinic blockade also decreases saliva production. A centrally acting anticholinergic fits this pattern because it blocks muscarinic receptors, easing rigidity and reducing sialorrhea. Benztropine (Cogentin) is a classic example of this approach and can be described as a muscle relaxant and sedative due to its central effects. It’s particularly helpful for tremor-dominant or younger patients, but can cause drowsiness and cognitive side effects, especially in older adults. Other options don’t target this specific PD balance of acetylcholine, saliva control, and rigidity in the same way.