Confusion from anticholinergic drugs

From the brain-disabling viewpoint, anticholinergic drugs can cause confusion, organic brain syndromes, and psychoses. Far too little attention has been paid to their adverse effects on memory and learning, which can interfere with everyday living, rehabilitation, or school (Marcus et al., 1988 McEvoy, 1987). Furthermore, there is concern that the use of these drugs increases the risk of TD (APA, 1992). 

Geriatric Considerations - Summary Alkaloids from the belladonna plant contain 3 potent anticholinergics and offer no advantage over other available drugs. Belladonna alkaloids possess potent anticholinergic effects and can cause dry mouth, blurred vision, delirium, confusion, psychosis, and increased risk of falls. This compound has no role in treating the older adult. 

Concomitant nse with amantadine may amplify trihexyphenidyl s anticholinergic adverse effects, causing confusion and haUncinations. Concomitant use with haloperidol or phenothiazines may decrease the antipsychotic effectiveness of these drugs, possibly from direct CNS antagonism concomitant phenothiazine nse also increases the risk of anticholinergic adverse effects. 

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