Anticholinergics: Types, Uses And Side Effects Of These Drugs
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 anticholinergics: the effects they produce, the different types that exist, their use and the contraindications they may have.
Anticholinergics are made from natural or artificial substances whose main function is reduce the secretion of acetylcholine in the body 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 They are used especially for their results in the functions of the peripheral nervous system Specifically, the most common of these medications is atropine.
Types and use according to the receptor they affect
Between the main types of anticholinergics we find the following.
1. Muscarinic antagonists
These are responsible for inhibiting the activity of smooth muscles in certain organs and glands of the human body. They are generally indicated when there are conditions at the level of the digestive, respiratory or pulmonary tract
Peptic ulcers and acute rhinitis are some of the most common conditions that require this medication.
Among the synthetic versions of this type we have: homatropine, ipratropium, oxitropium, methylscopolamine, tropicamide, benztropine, dicyclomine, pirenzepine, telenzepine and darifenacin.
2. Nicotinic antagonists
These anticholinergics have as their main function block nicotine receptors in the body They are frequently used in surgical processes to generate the muscle paralysis that will be necessary during the operation.
Also They are usually used in the treatment of some addictions for its effects at the central nervous system, inhibiting nicotinic receptors. These types include: succinylcholine, alpha-bungarotoxin and galamine.
Frequent uses in treatments
Taking into account the effect that anticholinergics have on smooth muscle functions, they are mainly used to calm spasms of the bladder, intestine and bronchi. Also to dilate the iris sphincter; reduce gastric, bronchial and salivary secretions; reduce sweating, and for the treatment against fainting.
The most everyday uses of these drugs They are to calm nausea and vomiting as well as to treat patients suffering from chronic asthma attacks.
Previously, these types of drugs were frequently used for the treatment of Parkinson’s, but it was determined that this treatment was counterproductive since it generated addiction in patients, and once its administration was suspended, the tremors returned in equal measure.
Side effects
Among the side effects of anticholinergics, the most notable are the following.
Anticholinergic overdose can cause what is known as acute anticholinergic syndrome which consists of an intoxication that produces hallucinations, constant states of confusion and sudden involuntary movements (dangerous for the subject and nearby people).
In the worst case, the person could fall into a coma due to poisoning produced by this drug. This situation is more common when it comes to elderly subjects, because their body no longer secretes as much acetylcholine.
This is why it is important to ensure that the specialist who prescribes the drugs has the necessary credentials to do so, just as we must avoid self-medication at all costs.
The specialists who are trained to prescribe any type of pharmacological medication are doctors, in all their different specialties. The psychologist does not have the credentials to prescribe any type of drug.
If you consider that the patient should be medicated, This should be referred to a psychiatrist who will be in charge of making the pertinent evaluation and after that will indicate the medication, with indications regarding 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.
