AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM PHARMACOLOGY-ANTICHOLINERGIC DRUGS

Drug:  Atropine 

Mechanism of action and drug effects:  Nonselective competitive antagonist at all muscarinic receptors in CNS and periphery.  Blocks muscarinic excess at exocrine glands, heart, smooth muscle. 

Clinical applications:  Mandatory antidote for severe cholinesterase inhibitor poisoning. 

Pharmacokinetics, Toxicities, Interactions:  Intravenous infusion until antimuscarinic signs appear and continued as long as necessary.  Toxicity: Insignificant as long as AChE inhibition continues.