{"id":22198,"date":"2016-04-11T21:10:15","date_gmt":"2016-04-11T21:10:15","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/?page_id=22198"},"modified":"2026-03-25T11:40:59","modified_gmt":"2026-03-25T16:40:59","slug":"cholinergic-and-anti-cholinergic-drugs","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/cholinergic-and-anti-cholinergic-drugs\/","title":{"rendered":"Cholinergic and Anticholinergic Drugs"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\t\t\t<div id=\"mmDeferVideoEncompass_ct9Mv28utmE\" style=\"position: relative;\">\n\t\t\t<picture>\n\t\t\t\t<source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/circle-play-duotone.webp\" type=\"image\/webp\">\n\t\t\t\t<source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/circle-play-duotone.png\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"> \n\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"eager\" id=\"videoThumbnailImage_ct9Mv28utmE\" data-source-videoID=\"ct9Mv28utmE\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/circle-play-duotone.png\" alt=\"Cholinergic and Anticholinergic Drugs Video\" height=\"464\" width=\"825\" class=\"size-full\" data-matomo-title = \"Cholinergic and Anticholinergic Drugs\">\n\t\t\t<\/picture>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<style>img#videoThumbnailImage_ct9Mv28utmE:hover {cursor:pointer;} img#videoThumbnailImage_ct9Mv28utmE {background-size:contain;background-image:url(\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/cholinergic-and-anticholinergic-drugs-1-1.webp\");}<\/style>\n\t\t\t<script defer>\n\t\t\t  jQuery(\"img#videoThumbnailImage_ct9Mv28utmE\").click(function() {\n\t\t\t\tlet videoId = jQuery(this).attr(\"data-source-videoID\");\n\t\t\t\tlet helpTag = '<div id=\"mmDeferVideoYTMessage_ct9Mv28utmE\" style=\"display: none;position: absolute;top: -24px;width: 100%;text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;font-size: small;border-top: 1px solid #fc0;\">Having trouble? <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v='+videoId+'\" target=\"_blank\">Click here to watch on YouTube.<\/a><\/span><\/div>';\n\t\t\t\tlet tag = document.createElement(\"iframe\");\n\t\t\t\ttag.id = \"yt\" + videoId;\n\t\t\t\ttag.src = \"https:\/\/www.youtube-nocookie.com\/embed\/\" + videoId + \"?autoplay=1&controls=1&wmode=opaque&rel=0&egm=0&iv_load_policy=3&hd=0&enablejsapi=1\";\n\t\t\t\ttag.frameborder = 0;\n\t\t\t\ttag.allow = \"autoplay; fullscreen\";\n\t\t\t\ttag.width = this.width;\n\t\t\t\ttag.height = this.height;\n\t\t\t\ttag.setAttribute(\"data-matomo-title\",\"Cholinergic and Anticholinergic Drugs\");\n\t\t\t\tjQuery(\"div#mmDeferVideoEncompass_ct9Mv28utmE\").html(tag);\n\t\t\t\tjQuery(\"div#mmDeferVideoEncompass_ct9Mv28utmE\").prepend(helpTag);\n\t\t\t\tsetTimeout(function(){jQuery(\"div#mmDeferVideoYTMessage_ct9Mv28utmE\").css(\"display\", \"block\");}, 2000);\n\t\t\t  });\n\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t<\/script>\n\t\t\n<p><script>\nfunction Fpo_Function() {\n  var x = document.getElementById(\"Fpo\");\n  if (x.style.display === \"none\") {\n    x.style.display = \"block\";\n  } else {\n    x.style.display = \"none\";\n  }\n}\n<\/script><\/p>\n<div class=\"moc-toc hide-on-desktop hide-on-tablet\">\n<div><button onclick=\"Fpo_Function()\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/toc2.svg\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" alt=\"show or hide table of contents\"><\/button><\/p>\n<p>On this page<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<nav id=\"Fpo\" style=\"display:none;\">\n<ul>\n<li class=\"toc-h2\"><a href=\"#The_Nervous_System\" class=\"smooth-scroll\">The Nervous System<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"toc-h2\"><a href=\"#Cholinergic_Agents\" class=\"smooth-scroll\">Cholinergic Agents<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"toc-h2\"><a href=\"#Cholinergic_Drug_Effects\" class=\"smooth-scroll\">Cholinergic Drug Effects<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"toc-h2\"><a href=\"#Specific_Cholinergic_Drugs\" class=\"smooth-scroll\">Specific Cholinergic Drugs<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"toc-h2\"><a href=\"#Anticholinergic_agents\" class=\"smooth-scroll\">Anticholinergic agents<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"toc-h2\"><a href=\"#Effects_of_Anticholinergic_Drugs\" class=\"smooth-scroll\">Effects of Anticholinergic Drugs<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"toc-h2\"><a href=\"#Specific_Examples_of_Anticholinergic_Drugs\" class=\"smooth-scroll\">Specific Examples of Anticholinergic Drugs<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"toc-h2\"><a href=\"#Review\" class=\"smooth-scroll\">Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"toc-h2\"><a href=\"#Frequently_Asked_Questions\" class=\"smooth-scroll\">Frequently Asked Questions<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"accordion\"><input id=\"transcript\" type=\"checkbox\" class=\"spoiler_button\" \/><label for=\"transcript\">Transcript<\/label><input id=\"FAQs\" type=\"checkbox\" class=\"spoiler_button\" \/><label for=\"FAQs\">FAQs<\/label>\n<div class=\"spoiler\" id=\"transcript-spoiler\">\n<p>Welcome to this video tutorial on cholinergic and anticholinergic drugs and their effects on the parasympathetic nervous system!<\/p>\n<p>First, we will take a look at the different divisions of <a class=\"ylist\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/nervous-system\/\">the nervous system<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"The_Nervous_System\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>The Nervous System<\/h2>\n<p>\nThe nervous system is made up of the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord) and the peripheral nervous system (neurons outside the brain and spinal cord). The peripheral nervous system is then divided into the autonomic and somatic nervous system.<\/p>\n<p>The <strong>autonomic system<\/strong> is further broken down into the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system.<\/p>\n<p>The <strong>sympathetic (SNS)<\/strong> and <strong>parasympathetic (PSNS)<\/strong> are opposing systems.<\/p>\n<div style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">\nThe <strong>SNS<\/strong> is the \u201cfight or flight\u201d response (AKA \u2013 arousing or adrenergic)<\/p>\n<p>The <strong>PSNS<\/strong> is the \u201crest and digest\u201d response (AKA \u2013 calming or cholinergic)\n<\/div>\n<p>When the sympathetic system excites an organ, the parasympathetic system inhibits it. When the parasympathetic system excites an organ, the sympathetic system inhibits the action.<\/p>\n<p>Our focus in this lesson is on how cholinergic and anticholinergic agents affect the parasympathetic nervous system.<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Cholinergic_Agents\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Cholinergic Agents<\/h2>\n<p>\nCholinergic drugs are:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Drugs that stimulate the parasympathetic system<\/li>\n<li>Also called parasympathomimetics \u2013 they mimic the effects of the PSNS neurotransmitter<\/li>\n<li>Cholinergic agents copy the action of acetylcholine (ACh) \u2013 a neurotransmitter released from nerve endings that bind on the receptors of cell membranes of organs, tissues, and glands<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>There are two types of cholinergic drugs: direct-acting and indirect-acting.<\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"DirectActing_Cholinergic_Drugs\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Direct-Acting Cholinergic Drugs<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Bind to cholinergic receptors on specific effector organs, stimulating the organ in a similar way as ACh<\/li>\n<li>They are synthetic derivatives of choline<\/li>\n<li>Have widespread systemic effects including cardiac muscle, smooth muscle, exocrine glands, and the eye<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span id=\"IndirectActing_Cholinergic_Drugs\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Indirect-Acting Cholinergic Drugs<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Inhibit the enzyme \u2018acetylcholinesterase,\u2019 resulting in more ACh available at the receptors<\/li>\n<li>These drugs have the added cholinergic effect of improved skeletal muscle tone and strength<\/li>\n<li>Indirect-acting cholinergic drugs for Alzheimer\u2019s disease are widely distributed, including to the central nervous system, thus improving cholinergic neurotransmission in the brain<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span id=\"Cholinergic_Drug_Effects\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Cholinergic Drug Effects<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>CNS<\/strong> \u2013 enhanced cognitive functions such as arousal, attention, and memory encoding \u2013 treatment for Alzheimer\u2019s disease and dementia<\/li>\n<li><strong>Eye<\/strong> \u2013 pupil constriction \u2013 for surgery and treatment of <a class=\"ylist\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/glaucoma-and-cataracts\/\">glaucoma<\/a><\/li>\n<li><strong>GI<\/strong> \u2013 smooth muscle stimulant \u2013 for post-op abdominal distention or paralytic ileus<\/li>\n<li><strong>GU<\/strong> \u2013 urinary bladder stimulant \u2013 for post-op or postpartum urinary retention<\/li>\n<li><strong>Musculoskeletal<\/strong> (indirect acting cholinergic drugs) \u2013 improve muscle tone and strength \u2013 for myasthenia gravis<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Too much cholinergic medication can result in overstimulation of the parasympathetic nervous system, causing unwanted side effects.<\/p>\n<p>The acronym <strong>SLUDGE-M<\/strong> will help us remember the adverse effects of cholinergic drugs.<\/p>\n<table class=\"ATable\" style=\"margin: auto;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>S<\/strong><\/td>\n<td style=\"color:gray; text-align:left; text-indent:10px\">Salivation<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>L<\/strong><\/td>\n<td style=\"color:gray; text-align:left; text-indent:10px\">Lacrimation<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>U<\/strong><\/td>\n<td style=\"color:gray; text-align:left; text-indent:10px\">Urination<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>D<\/strong><\/td>\n<td style=\"color:gray; text-align:left; text-indent:10px\">Defecation<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>G<\/strong><\/td>\n<td style=\"color:gray; text-align:left; text-indent:10px\">Gastroenteritis<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>E<\/strong><\/td>\n<td style=\"color:gray; text-align:left; text-indent:10px\">Emesis<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>M<\/strong><\/td>\n<td style=\"color:gray; text-align:left; text-indent:10px\">Miosis<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>\n&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"Other_Adverse_Effects_of_Cholinergic_Drugs\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Other Adverse Effects of Cholinergic Drugs<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>\u2193 HR and BP<\/li>\n<li>Conduction abnormalities \u2013 AV block and cardiac arrest<\/li>\n<li>Headache, dizziness, convulsions<\/li>\n<li>\u2191 bronchial secretions, bronchospasms<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><em>*Overdosing can cause life-threatening problems<br \/>\n*Antidote for cholinergics is the anticholinergic drug atropine<\/em><\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Specific_Cholinergic_Drugs\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Specific Cholinergic Drugs<\/h2>\n<p>\n<strong>1. Direct-acting<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Bethanechol (Urecholine) \u2013  \u2191 the tone and motility of the bladder and GI tract (should cause urination within 60 min in a pt with urinary retention).<\/li>\n<li>Pilocarpine (Pilocar) \u2013 used to constrict pupils, which \u2193 intraocular pressure (glaucoma).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\n<strong>2. Indirect-acting<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Neostigmine (Prostigmin) \u2013 given for the diagnosis and treatment of myasthenia gravis\u2014it causes skeletal muscle contractions.\n<li>Donepezil (Aricept) \u2013 used to treat mild-moderate Alzheimer\u2019s disease\u2014it \u2191 ACh in the brain and helps \u2191 or maintain memory or learning capabilities (it manages the symptoms, but is not a cure).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span id=\"Contraindications_to_using_cholinergic_drugs\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Contraindications to using cholinergic drugs<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Asthma<\/li>\n<li>Hyperthyroidism<\/li>\n<li>Peptic ulcer<\/li>\n<li>Coronary artery disease<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><em>*Cholinergic drugs can exacerbate these conditions and should be avoided.<\/em><\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Anticholinergic_agents\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Anticholinergic agents<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Drugs that block the action of ACh on the parasympathetic nervous system.<\/li>\n<li>These cholinergic blocking agents compete with ACh and block it at the receptors in the PSNS, so ACh is unable to bind to the receptor site and cause a cholinergic effect.<\/li>\n<li>Most anticholinergic drugs interact with muscarinic cholinergic receptors in the brain, secretory glands, heart, smooth muscle, and eye.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span id=\"Effects_of_Anticholinergic_Drugs\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Effects of Anticholinergic Drugs<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>CNS &#8211; \u2193 muscle rigidity and muscle tremors (e.g., Parkinson\u2019s disease)<\/li>\n<li>Eye \u2013 pupil dilation \u2013 for exams or surgery<\/li>\n<li>Salivary &amp; lacrimal glands &#8211; \u2193 secretion<\/li>\n<li>Heart &#8211; \u2191 HR<\/li>\n<li> Respiratory -\u2193 bronchial secretions, dilate bronchial airways, \u2193 airway resistance &#8211; COPD, asthma.<\/li>\n<li>GI &#8211; relax smooth muscle tone of GI tract, \u2193 intestinal &amp; gastric secretions, \u2193 motility &amp; peristalsis &#8211; peptic ulcer disease, and irritable bowel.<\/li>\n<li>GU \u2013 antispasmodic effect on smooth muscle \u2013 overactive bladder, and incontinence.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span id=\"Adverse_Effects_of_Anticholinergics\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Adverse Effects of Anticholinergics<\/h3>\n<p>\nThe effect of the drug may be therapeutic, but becomes an adverse reaction if severe or if the drug is given for another purpose or if there is an overdose.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>CNS \u2013 excessive stimulation (tremor, restlessness, confusion), followed by excessive CNS depression (respiratory depression, coma)<\/li>\n<li>Tachycardia<\/li>\n<li>Constipation (result of decreased GI motility and muscle tone)<\/li>\n<li>Dry mouth (result of decreased salivation)<\/li>\n<li>Urinary retention<\/li>\n<li>Hot, dry skin (due to decreased sweating)<\/li>\n<li>Blurred vision, dilation of the pupil (pt may need sunglasses)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><em>*The specific antidote for anticholinergic overdose is <\/em><\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Specific_Examples_of_Anticholinergic_Drugs\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Specific Examples of Anticholinergic Drugs<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Belladonna alkaloids and derivatives\n<ul style=\"list-style-type: circle;\">\n<li><strong>Atropine<\/strong> \u2013 a naturally occurring belladonna alkaloid, given for bradyarrhythmias (it produces a stimulant effect), also given as an antidote for cholinergic poisoning.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Ipratropium (Atrovent)<\/strong> \u2013 causes bronchodilation, used in asthma and COPD.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Scopolamine<\/strong> \u2013 given for motion sickness, N\/V.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Centrally acting anticholinergics used in Parkinson\u2019s disease\n<ul style=\"list-style-type: circle;\">\n<li><strong>Benztropine (Cogentin)<\/strong> \u2013 Also used to treat dystonic reactions caused by <a class=\"ylist\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/anti-psychotic-drugs\/\">antipsychotic drugs<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Urinary antispasmodic, given for overactive bladder\n<ul style=\"list-style-type: circle;\">\n<li><strong>Oxybutynin (Ditropan)<\/strong>\n<li><strong>Solifenacin succinate (VESIcare)<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span id=\"Contraindications_to_Using_Anticholinergic_Drugs\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Contraindications to Using Anticholinergic Drugs<\/h3>\n<p>Contraindications include any condition characterized by symptoms that would be aggravated by the drugs (myasthenia gravis, glaucoma, MI).<\/p>\n<hr>\n<h2><span id=\"Review\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Review<\/h2>\n<p><strong>Cholinergic drugs<\/strong> stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system by copying the action of Ach. They are given for Alzheimer\u2019s disease, glaucoma, paralytic ileus, urinary retention, and myasthenia gravis.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Anticholinergic drugs<\/strong> block the action of ACh on the parasympathetic nervous system. They are given for Parkinson\u2019s disease, asthma, COPD, and overactive bladder<\/p>\n<p>Thank you for watching this video tutorial on cholinergic and anticholinergic effects on the parasympathetic nervous system!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"spoiler\" id=\"FAQs-spoiler\">\n<h2 style=\"text-align:center\">Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n<div class=\"faq-list\">\n<div class=\"qa_wrap\">\n<div class=\"q_item text_bold\">\n<h4 class=\"letter\">Q<\/h4>\n<p style=\"line-height: unset;\">What is the main neurotransmitter that cholinergic drugs mimic in the body?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"a_item\">\n<h4 class=\"letter text_bold\">A<\/h4>\n<p>Cholinergic drugs mimic the function of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which is the most critical neurotransmitter of the parasympathetic nervous system.  Acetylcholine resides in locations through the body, including synapses of the autonomic nervous system, neuromuscular junctions, various locations in the central nervous system, and various organs.  Acetylcholine is involved in the stimulation of the \u201crest and digest\u201d functions of the parasympathetic nervous system, such as smooth muscle contraction, decreased heart rate, increased secretions, and dilation of blood vessels. <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"qa_wrap\">\n<div class=\"q_item text_bold\">\n<h4 class=\"letter\">Q<\/h4>\n<p style=\"line-height: unset;\">What is the function of cholinergic receptors? <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"a_item\">\n<h4 class=\"letter text_bold\">A<\/h4>\n<p>Cholinergic receptors are located on the surfaces of specific cells and are activated by the binding of the neurotransmitter, acetylcholine. There are two types of cholinergic receptors: nicotinic and muscarinic. Nicotinic receptors are found in the central, sympathetic, and parasympathetic nervous systems and, when stimulated, trigger the rapid depolarization of cells. Muscarinic receptors are located in the smooth muscles and when stimulated, trigger contraction. The smooth muscles most impacted by muscarinic receptor stimulation are located in the gastrointestinal tract, the bladder, the heart, and the airway. <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"qa_wrap\">\n<div class=\"q_item text_bold\">\n<h4 class=\"letter\">Q<\/h4>\n<p style=\"line-height: unset;\">What are cholinergic drugs?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"a_item\">\n<h4 class=\"letter text_bold\">A<\/h4>\n<p>Cholinergic drugs stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system by copying the action of acetylcholine (ACh), a neurotransmitter released from nerve endings that bind on the receptors of cell membranes of organs, tissues, and glands. There are direct-acting cholinergic drugs that bind directly to cholinergic receptors (such as bethanechol and pilocarpine) and indirect-acting cholinergic drugs that inhibit acetylcholinesterase, the enzyme that blocks cholinergic receptors, allowing more ACh to bind. Examples of indirect-acting cholinergic drugs include neostigmine and donepezil. <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"qa_wrap\">\n<div class=\"q_item text_bold\">\n<h4 class=\"letter\">Q<\/h4>\n<p style=\"line-height: unset;\">What are anticholinergic drugs?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"a_item\">\n<h4 class=\"letter text_bold\">A<\/h4>\n<p>Anticholinergic drugs inhibit the parasympathetic nervous system by blocking the action of ACh so that it is unable to bind to receptor sites. They interact with muscarinic cholinergic receptors in the brain, secretory glands, heart, smooth muscle, and eyes. Examples include belladonna alkaloids and derivatives (atropine, ipratropium, and scopolamine), centrally-acting anticholinergics for Parkinson\u2019s disease (benztropine), and urinary antispasmodics for overactive bladder (oxybutynin and solifenacin succinate). <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"qa_wrap\">\n<div class=\"q_item text_bold\">\n<h4 class=\"letter\">Q<\/h4>\n<p style=\"line-height: unset;\">What is the difference between cholinergic and anticholinergic drugs?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"a_item\">\n<h4 class=\"letter text_bold\">A<\/h4>\n<p>Cholinergic drugs stimulate the activation of the parasympathetic nervous system by activating receptors for acetylcholine. Anticholinergic drugs inhibit the parasympathetic nervous system by blocking the action of acetylcholine so that it cannot bind to receptors that initiate the parasympathetic response. <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"qa_wrap\">\n<div class=\"q_item text_bold\">\n<h4 class=\"letter\">Q<\/h4>\n<p style=\"line-height: unset;\">What are side effects of cholinergic drugs?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"a_item\">\n<h4 class=\"letter text_bold\">A<\/h4>\n<p>Side effects of cholinergic drugs include the following: Enhanced cognitive functions such as arousal, attention, and memory encoding; pupil constriction; increased salivary, lacrimal, and bronchial secretions; smooth muscle stimulation; urinary bladder stimulation; improved muscle tone\/strength.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"qa_wrap\">\n<div class=\"q_item text_bold\">\n<h4 class=\"letter\">Q<\/h4>\n<p style=\"line-height: unset;\">What are side effects of anticholinergic drugs?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"a_item\">\n<h4 class=\"letter text_bold\">A<\/h4>\n<p>Side effects of anticholinergic drugs include the following: Decreased muscle rigidity and muscle tremors, pupil dilation, decreased secretion from salivary and lacrimal glands, increased heart rate, decreased bronchial secretions, dilated bronchial airways, and decreased airway resistance.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"qa_wrap\">\n<div class=\"q_item text_bold\">\n<h4 class=\"letter\">Q<\/h4>\n<p style=\"line-height: unset;\">What is a cholinergic crisis?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"a_item\">\n<h4 class=\"letter text_bold\">A<\/h4>\n<p>A cholinergic crisis occurs as a result of excessive stimulation of a neuromuscular junction from increased acetylcholine binding secondary to deficient acetylcholinesterase, the enzyme that controls acetylcholine levels by breaking it down. In a cholinergic crisis, both nicotinic and muscarinic receptors are excessively stimulated, resulting in an excessive parasympathetic response (muscle cramping, excessive secretions, weakness\/paralysis, increased gastric motility [diarrhea], and bradycardia). Causes include excessive intake of anticholinergic drugs or exposure to certain organophosphates. <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"home-buttons\">\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/patient-care\/\">Return to Patient Care Videos<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Return to Patient Care Videos<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":114743,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":{"0":"post-22198","1":"page","2":"type-page","3":"status-publish","4":"has-post-thumbnail","6":"page_category-neurologic-system-videos","7":"page_category-patient-care-videos","8":"page_category-pharmacology-videos","9":"page_category-physiological-integrity","10":"page_category-video-pages-for-study-course-sidebar-ad","11":"page_type-video","12":"subject_matter-nursing"},"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/22198","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=22198"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/22198\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":289981,"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/22198\/revisions\/289981"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/114743"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=22198"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}