Anticholinergics can worsen some conditions or dosages may need to be adjusted if other conditions are present. Patients should inform their physician of any other existing conditions before taking anticholinergics. Of particular concern with these medications are the following conditions:

• Urinary disease or difficulty urinating. Anticholinergics can worsen urinary tract blockages.
  
  
• Glaucoma. Anticholinergics can increase pressure in the eyeball.
  
  
• Myasthenia gravis (neuromuscular disorder characterized by muscle weakness). Anticholinergics can worsen this condition.
  
  
• Downs syndrome. Anticholinergics can interfere with physical coordination and increase heart rate and pupil dilation in Down syndrome patients.
  
  
• Bleeding problem. Anticholinergics use can increase heart rate, potentially worsening this condition.
  
  
• Fever. Anticholinergics can raise the body’s temperature.
  
  
• Heart and cardiovascular problems. Anticholinergics can raise blood pressure, potentially worsening some heart-related conditions, such as hypertension (high blood pressure).
  
  
• Hiatal hernia (the protrusion of a portion of the stomach into the chest cavity through a natural opening in the diaphragm). Anticholinergics can worsen this condition.
  
  
• Intestinal blockage or other intestinal problems. Anticholinergics can worsen these conditions.
  
  
• Liver or kidney disease. These conditions can lead to a build–up of anticholinergics in the body, increasing the risk of side effects or overdose.
  
  
• Chronic lung disease. Some anticholinergics can worsen some chronic lung conditions.
  
  
• Prostate problems. Anticholinergics can worsen prostate conditions.
  
  
• Overactive thyroid. Anticholinergics can increase heart rate, worsening symptoms associated with an overactive thyroid.
  
  
• Ulcerative colitis (disease involving ulcers of the large bowel). Anticholinergics can worsen this condition.
  
  
• Brain damage (in children). Anticholinergic use can increase problems in the central nervous system that occur in some cases of brain damage.
  
  
• Spastic paralysis (in children). This condition can increase the risk of side effects from anticholinergics.
  
  
• Severe mouth dryness. Anticholinergics can worsen this condition.