Anticholinergic drugs: types, uses and side effects of these drugs.

These drugs are used to treat many disorders of the nervous system. Let's take a look.

There are a large number of drugs designed to treat different pathologies. In this article we will take a look at a group of drugs known as anticholinergic drugs.In this article we will take a look at a group of drugs known as anticholinergics: the effects they produce, the different types that exist, their use and the contraindications they may have.

What are anticholinergics?

Anticholinergics are made from natural or artificial substances whose main function is to to diminish the segregation of acetylcholine in the organism.. As we will see, depending on which acetylcholine receptor they block, they are classified into two types.

Although anticholinergics have effects on the entire nervous system, both central and peripheral, these drugs are used especially for their results on peripheral nervous system functions. are used especially for their results on peripheral nervous system functions.. Specifically, the most common of these drugs is atropine.

Types and use according to the receptor they affect

Enter the main types of anticholinergics include the following.

1. Muscarinic antagonists

These are responsible for inhibiting smooth muscle activity in certain organs and glands of the human body. They are generally indicated when there are affections at the digestive, respiratory or pulmonary tract level..

Peptic ulcers and acute rhinitis are some of the most common conditions that require this medication.

Synthetic versions of this type include: homatropine, ipratropium, oxitropium, methylscopolamine, tropicamide, benztropine, dicyclomine, pirenzepine, telenzepine and darifenacin.

2. Nicotinic antagonists

The main function of these anticholinergics is to block the nicotine receptors in the body. They are frequently used in surgical procedures, to generate the muscular paralysis that will be necessary during the operation.

Also are also used in the treatment of some addictions due to their effects on the nervous system. for their effects at the level of the central nervous system, inhibiting the nicotinic receptors. Among those of this type are: succinylcholine, alpha-bungarotoxin and galamine.

Frequent uses in treatments

Considering the effect that anticholinergics have on smooth muscle functions, they are mainly used to calm spasms of the bladder, intestine and bronchi. They are also used to dilate the iris sphincter; to reduce gastric, bronchial and salivary secretions; to reduce sweating; and to treat fainting.

The most common uses of these drugs are to calm nausea and vomiting, as well as to treat patientsand to treat patients suffering from chronic Asthma attacks.

Previously, this type of drugs were frequently used for the treatment of Parkinson's disease, but it was determined that this treatment was counterproductive since it generated addiction in the patients, and once its administration was suspended, the tremors returned in equal measure.

Side effects

Among the side effects of anticholinergics, the most prominent are the following.

• Dryness of the mouth.
• Blurred vision.
• Dry eyes.
• Dilation of the pupil (mydriasis).
• Accommodation disorders (difficulties in visual focus).
• Abnormal intraocular pressure.
• Constipation.
• Fluid retention.
• Allergic reactions.

An overdose of anticholinergics may cause what is known as acute anticholinergic syndrome, which consists of an intoxication that produces hallucinations, hallucinations, hallucinations, hallucinationswhich consists of an intoxication that produces hallucinations, constant states of confusion and sudden involuntary movements (dangerous for the subject and people nearby).

In the worst case, the person could fall into a coma due to the intoxication produced by this drug. intoxication produced by this drug. This situation is more common in elderly people, because their body no longer secretes as much acetylcholine.

This is why it is important to make sure that the specialist who prescribes the drugs has the necessary credentials to do so, just as we must avoid self-medication at all costs.

Who can prescribe them?

The specialists who are qualified to prescribe any type of pharmacological medication are physicians, in all their different specialties. The psychologist does not have the credentials to prescribe any type of drug.

In case of considering that the patient should be medicated, the patient should be referred to a psychiatristThe psychiatrist will be in charge of making the pertinent evaluation and after that will indicate the medication, with indications as to the time and doses of the treatment.

The psychiatrist and psychologist could work together as part of a multidisciplinary team that may include other specialists, depending on the case.

Bibliographic references:

• Corallo, C. E.; Whitfield, A.; Wu, A. (2009). Anticholinergic syndrome following an unintentional overdose of scopolamine. Ther Clin Risk Manag 5: 719-723.
• Hernandez, S. C.; Bertolino, M.; Xiao, Y.; Pringle, K. E.; Caruso, F. S.; Kellar, K. J. (2000). Dextromethorphan and Its Metabolite Dextrorphan Block α3β4 Neuronal Nicotinic Receptors. The Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics. 293 (3): 962–7.
• Rosen, P., John A. M., Robert S. H. y Walls, R. M. (2014). Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. Philadelphia, PA: Mosby Elsevier.