Kemadrin

Kemadrin tablets contain the active ingredient procyclidine hydrochloride, which is a type of medicine called an anticholinergic. Anticholinergic medicines (sometimes also called antimuscarinics) work by preventing the activity of a neurotransmitter called acetylcholine.
Neurotransmitters are chemical compounds that are found in the brain and nerves. They act as chemical messengers between the nerve cells.

There are many different neurotransmitters in the body and these have various different functions. Several diseases and conditions involve either overactivity or underactivity of certain neurotransmitters.
In Parkinson’s disease, there is a deficiency of a neurotransmitter called dopamine in the brain. Normally there is a balance between the activity of dopamine and the activity of acetylcholine in the brain. However, in Parkinson's disease, the deficiency of dopamine causes overactivity of acetylcholine. This causes some of the symptoms of the disease.

Procyclidine works by blocking the receptors that acetylcholine acts on. This reduces the activity of the acetylcholine, and helps restore the balance of acetylcholine and dopamine in the brain. In this way, procyclidine helps control some of the symptoms of Parkinson's disease. It is most effective at reducing the tremor and rigidity associated with the disease, but it has little effect on the slow movements (bradykinesia).

By contrast, some psychiatric illnesses, for example schizophrenia, are associated with overactivity of dopamine in the brain. Antipsychotic medicines that are used to treat these diseases work by decreasing the activity of dopamine in the brain. However, because they decrease dopamine they can produce side effects that resemble the symptoms of Parkinson's disease. These side effects are known as extrapyramidal side effects, and include abnormal face and body movements, restlessness and tremor. Procyclidine can be used to treat this type of side effect.

Side effects

• Dry mouth.
• Blurred vision.
• Constipation.
• Difficulty in passing urine (urinary retention).
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Inflammation of the gums (gingivitis).
• Nervousness.
• Rash.
• Dizziness.
• Confusion.