What is a common side effect that may necessitate the use of benzotropine in patients treated with conventional antipsychotics?

Benzotropine is an anticholinergic medication often utilized to manage extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) that can arise as side effects of conventional antipsychotics, particularly those used to treat schizophrenia and other severe mental health disorders. One of the common EPS is restlessness, which may manifest as akathisia—a condition characterized by an intense urge to be in constant motion or an inability to stay still.

Conventional antipsychotics, such as haloperidol, are known to block dopamine receptors, which can lead to an imbalance in the dopaminergic system and subsequently trigger such motor side effects. The use of benzotropine helps to restore that balance by reducing the overactivity of acetylcholine, which is often increased when dopamine is blocked. This mechanism assists in alleviating symptoms like restlessness, making benzotropine a suitable treatment option for this specific side effect associated with traditional antipsychotic therapy.

Other options presented like weight gain, depression, and hyperglycemia are not directly treated with benzotropine and are less commonly associated with the immediate need for an anticholinergic intervention related to the side effects of conventional antipsychotics. Thus, restlessness serves as a clear link between the use of