Treating Multiple Sclerosis with an Anticholinergic Drug Causes Changes in the Skin

Benztropine, an anticholinergic drug, caused a number of skin changes only in the areas of the body that previously had demonstrated clinical symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS). These changes included erythema, telangiectasias, non-pitting edema and flaky/scaly skin. Despite continuation of the benztropine, the skin changes eventually resolved. However, a few months later, minimal erythema and swelling of the joints recurred. The pathophysiological events that could be inducing these changes are discussed.