Anticholinergics are drugs that block the action of acetylcholine. They block acetylcholine from binding to its receptors on certain nerve cells. They inhibit parasympathetic nerve impulses. These nerve impulses are responsible for involuntarily muscle movements in the gastrointestinal tract, lungs, urinary tract, and other parts of your body. The nerve impulses help control functions such as salivation, digestion, urination, and mucus secretion.
Blocking acetylcholine signals can decrease involuntary movement, digestion, and mucus secretion. If you take an anticholinergic, you may retain urine and experience dry mouth.
1. NATURAL ALKALOIDS:
Atropine
Hyoscine (Scopolamine)
2. SEMISYNTHETIC DERIVATIVES:
Homatropine
Atropine methonitrate
Hyoscine butyl bromide
Ipratropium bromide
Tiotropium bromide
3. SYNTHETIC COMPOUNDS
a. Mydriatics:
Cyclopentolate
Tropicamide
b. Antisecretory-antispasmodics:
Quaternary compounds:
Propantheline
Oxyphe-nonium
Clidinium
Pipenzolate
Methylbromide
Isopropamide
Glycopyrrolate
Tertiary amines:
Dicyclomine
Valethamate
Pirenzepine
c. Vasicoselective:
Oxybutynin
Flavoxate
Tolterodine
d. Antiparkinsonian:
Trihexyphenidyl (Benzhexol)
Procyclidine
Biperiden
