For cholinergic blocking drugs, see Cholinergic blocking drugs.
Not to be confused with Anti-cholinesterase.
Anticholinergics (anticholinergic agents) are substances that block the action of the acetylcholine (ACh) neurotransmitter at synapses in the central and peripheral nervous system.[1][2]
These agents inhibit the parasympathetic nervous system by selectively blocking the binding of ACh to its receptor in nerve cells. The nerve fibers of the parasympathetic system are responsible for the involuntary movement of smooth muscles present in the gastrointestinal tract, urinary tract, lungs, sweat glands, and many other parts of the body.[3]
In broad terms, anticholinergics are divided into two categories in accordance with their specific targets in the central and peripheral nervous system and at the neuromuscular junction:[3] antimuscarinic agents and antinicotinic agents (ganglionic blockers, neuromuscular blockers).[4]
The term "anticholinergic" is typically used to refer to antimuscarinics which competitively inhibit the binding of ACh to muscarinic acetylcholine receptors; such agents do not antagonize the binding at nicotinic acetylcholine receptors at the neuromuscular junction, although the term is sometimes used to refer to agents which do so.[3][5]
^"Anticholinergics", Anticholinergic Agents, Bethesda (MD): National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, 2012, PMID 31643610, retrieved 2020-03-23, Anticholinergics have antisecretory activities and decrease nasal and bronchial secretions, salivation, lacrimation, sweating and gastric acid production, and can be used to decrease secretions in allergic and inflammatory diseases. Anticholinergics relax smooth muscle in the gastrointestinal tract, bladder and lung and can be used for gastrointestinal, urological or respiratory conditions associated with spasm and dysmotility.
^Clinical Pharmacology [database online]. Tampa, FL: Gold Standard, Inc.; 2009. Drugs with Anticholinergic Activity. Prescriber's Letter 2011; 18 (12):271233.
^ abcMigirov, A; Datta, AR (2020), "article-17683", Physiology, Anticholinergic Reaction, This book is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, which permits use, duplication, adaptation, distribution, and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, a link is provided to the Creative Commons license, and any changes made are indicated., Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing, PMID 31536197, retrieved 2020-03-24
^Sharee A. Wiggins; Tomas Griebling. "Urinary Incontinence". Landon Center on Aging. Archived from the original on 2011-09-27. Retrieved 2011-07-09.
^Su, Mark; Goldman, Matthew. Traub, Stephen J.; Burns, Michele M.; Grayzel, Jonathan (eds.). "Anticholinergic poisoning". UpToDate. Retrieved 2020-03-24.
Anticholinergics (anticholinergic agents) are substances that block the action of the acetylcholine (ACh) neurotransmitter at synapses in the central...
respiratory depression, arrhythmias, fever, delirium, hallucinations, anticholinergic syndrome, psychosis, and death if taken internally. Due to their effects...
or obscured by co-ingestion of multiple drugs. The symptoms of an anticholinergic toxidrome include blurred vision, coma, decreased bowel sounds, delirium...
in the phenothiazine family of medications. It is also a moderate anticholinergic, which produces its sedative effects. This also means high or toxic...
butylbromide and sold under the brandname Buscopan among others, is an anticholinergic medication used to treat abdominal pain, esophageal spasms, bladder...
Orphenadrine (sold under many brand names) is an anticholinergic drug of the ethanolamine antihistamine class; it is closely related to diphenhydramine...
first-generation antihistamines, due to their anticholinergic properties. Chlorphenamine is rated as a "high burden" anticholinergic by experts on a semi-subjective...
produced by other types of hallucinogens. The term generally refers to anticholinergic drugs, which are substances that inhibit the function of the neurotransmitter...
cause delirium and hallucinations, and are also used as pharmaceutical anticholinergics. Tropane alkaloids are of common occurrence not only in the Old World...
Oxybutynin, sold as under the brand name Ditropan among others, is an anticholinergic drug primarily used to treat overactive bladder. It is widely considered...
inverse agonist of the histamine H1 receptor—and to a lesser extent an anticholinergic—specifically an antagonist of the muscarinic acetylcholine receptors...
Atropine is a tropane alkaloid and anticholinergic medication used to treat certain types of nerve agent and pesticide poisonings as well as some types...
generally contains a mixture of viscous lidocaine, an antacid, and an anticholinergic. The GI cocktail is commonly prescribed in the hospital or emergency...
bromide, sold under the trade name Atrovent among others, is a type of anticholinergic (SAMA: short acting muscarinic antagonist) medication which is applied...
among others, is a first-generation antihistamine with additional anticholinergic, antiserotonergic, and local anesthetic properties. It was patented...
Breath, is a natural or synthetically produced tropane alkaloid and anticholinergic drug that is used as a medication to treat motion sickness and postoperative...
use during pregnancy or breastfeeding is safe. Benzatropine is an anticholinergic which works by blocking the activity of the muscarinic acetylcholine...
excited (especially in children) Continuous and/or cumulative use of anticholinergic medications, including first-generation antihistamines, is associated...
symptom of anticholinergic poisoning, are also well documented. In severe cases, the overdose of diphenhydramine and other anticholinergic medicines can...
haloperidol, etc.) Anticholinergic medications are used to reverse acute dystonia. If the symptoms are particularly severe, the anticholinergic medication may...
breastfeeding is of unclear safety. It is believed to work in part by anticholinergic and antihistamine mechanisms. Meclizine was patented in 1951 and came...
antihistamine and sedative effects. Diphenhydramine is also a potent anticholinergic, which means it also works as a deliriant at much higher than recommended...
increased heart rate. It is listed as one of the drugs of highest anticholinergic activity in a study of anticholinergenic burden, including long-term...
of the phenylpiperidine class. Synthesized in 1938 as a potential anticholinergic agent by the German chemist Otto Eisleb, its analgesic properties were...
closely related drugs atropine and hyoscine and other members of the anticholinergic drug group like cyclobenzaprine, trihexyphenidyl, and orphenadrine...
the person, reducing the volume of IV fluids being given, or giving anticholinergic drugs to reduce secretions. In hospice and palliative care, drugs such...
headache, nausea and dry mouth. Continuous and/or cumulative use of anticholinergic medications, including first-generation antihistamines, is associated...
medications over other TCAs among older adults due to their reduced anticholinergic effects, diminished cardiac toxicity, and more linear pharmacokinetics...
patients with polytoxicomania (rarely), ringing in the ears (tinnitus) Anticholinergic: dry mouth, constipation, even ileus (rarely), difficulties in urinating...
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