Atropine: Difference between revisions
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Since atropine affects the parasympathetic nervous system, it has a wide variety of effects. It is largely and perhaps most commonly used as an ophthalmic drug, as it paralyzes the accommodation reflex and dilates the pupil<ref> Atropine. New World Encyclopedia. http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Atropine </ref>. The mechanism for dilation involves blocking the contraction of the circularly pupillary sphincter muscle, which is normally stimulated by acetylcholine release<ref> Atropine. New World Encyclopedia. http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Atropine </ref>. | Since atropine affects the parasympathetic nervous system, it has a wide variety of effects. It is largely and perhaps most commonly used as an ophthalmic drug, as it paralyzes the accommodation reflex and dilates the pupil<ref> Atropine. New World Encyclopedia. http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Atropine </ref>. The mechanism for dilation involves blocking the contraction of the circularly pupillary sphincter muscle, which is normally stimulated by acetylcholine release<ref> Atropine. New World Encyclopedia. http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Atropine </ref>. | ||
Outside of ophthalmic use, Atropine is also used in the treatment of heart conditions such as bradychardia (low heart rate), asystole, and subsequently, cardiac arrest. Because atropine blocks acetylcholine, and therefore the parasympathetic nervous system, the vagus nerve cannot slow the heart and it remains at a constant rate<ref> Atropine. New World Encyclopedia. http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Atropine </ref>. In addition, salivary, sweat, and mucus glands are inhibited by atropine, which is useful in treating asthma, or when keeping the airways of a surgical patient clear under anesthesia. | Outside of ophthalmic use, Atropine is also used in the treatment of heart conditions such as bradychardia (low heart rate), asystole, and subsequently, cardiac arrest. Because atropine blocks acetylcholine, and therefore the parasympathetic nervous system, the vagus nerve cannot slow the heart and it remains at a constant rate<ref> Atropine. New World Encyclopedia. http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Atropine </ref>. In addition, salivary, sweat, and mucus glands are inhibited by atropine, which is useful in treating asthma, or when keeping the airways of a surgical patient clear under anesthesia. Recently, it is thought to be a useful drug in patients with schizophrenia and patients suffering from neural trauma, because it reduces inflammation in the neural tissues by binding to phospholipase 2A. This will be discussed in more detail in the next section | ||
Atropine is also a good antidote for poisoning by organophosphates and nerve gases, prime agents in bioterrorism<ref> Atropine. New World Encyclopedia. http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Atropine </ref>, because Atropine blocks acetylcholine at muscscarininc receptors. Atropine, however, has side effects that include nausea, dizziness, blurred visions, tachycardia, and hallucinations, and due to these side effects it has recently become more popular as a recreational drug. | Atropine is also a good antidote for poisoning by organophosphates and nerve gases, prime agents in bioterrorism<ref> Atropine. New World Encyclopedia. http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Atropine </ref>, because Atropine blocks acetylcholine at muscscarininc receptors. Atropine, however, has side effects that include nausea, dizziness, blurred visions, tachycardia, and hallucinations, and due to these side effects it has recently become more popular as a recreational drug. | ||
==== Uses in Veterinary Medicine ==== | ==== Uses in Veterinary Medicine ==== | ||
