Anticholinergic is a medication that has an inhibiting affect on your parasympathetic nerve system. Essentially, the drug’s chemicals selectively compete for receptor site in nerve cells, thus blocking the binding of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. As a result, this medication has an effect on muscles, glands and your central nervous system.
Anticholinergic drugs are used to treat a variety of health conditions and are also used during some medical procedures, such as:
- COPD
- asthma
- diarrhea
- dilate pupils
- motion sickness
- nausea & vomiting
- cardiac arrhythmias
- severe hypertension
- Parkinson’s disease
- gastrointestinal cramps
- smooth muscle spasms
- spastic disorders of GI tract
- hay fever caused runny nose
- bladder spasms, overactive bladder
- pulmonary edema caused high blood pressure
- muscle relaxant in conjunction with anesthesia
- treat poisoning ~ organophosphates, muscarine
- reduce salivary & bronchial secretions before surgery
There are different types of cholinergic blocking agents contained in anticholinergic medications, so their effects vary substantially. The one used for treatment is selected based on your particular health related scenario. Therefore, never share your anticholinergic drug with another.
Anticholinergic drug side effects will largely depend on which medication you’re taking and how they’re administered, e.g. orally, sprays, inhalers. Here’s a sampling of the side effects you might experience:
- apnea
- dysuria
- flushing
- gastritis
- dry eyes
- dry mouth
- nosebleeds
- hypotension
- constipation
- blurred vision
- urinary retention
As with any drug, a drug allergy to anticholinergic medication is plausible. Generally, an allergic reaction includes symptoms of rash, itching, hives, swelling and breathing difficulty.
