How Do Anticholinergic Toxicity Antidotes Work?

Anticholinergic toxicity antidotes are drugs used to treat the adverse effects of anticholinergic toxicity that affect the central nervous system. The main causes of anticholinergic toxicity include:

• Drug misuse
• Overdose of drugs with anticholinergic activity
• Drug abuse with cocaine and heroin, known to be contaminated with anticholinergic drugs such as hyoscine and atropine
• Intentional or accidental ingestion of plants containing belladonna alkaloids
• Topical application

Medications with anticholinergic activity include:

• Antidepressants
• Antihistamines
• Antipsychotics
• Antispasmodics
• Mydriatics
• Antiparkinson drugs

Naturally occurring anticholinergic drugs include:

• Atropine
• Hyoscine
• Hyoscyamine

Anticholinergic toxicity can cause the following symptoms:

• Anxiety
• Agitation
• Confusion
• Disorientation
• Visual hallucinations
• Bizarre behavior
• Coma
• Seizures
• Delirium
• Respiratory depression

Antidotes such as physostigmine may be given to reverse the damaging effects of anticholinergic toxicity. These drugs directly inhibit the acetylcholinesterase enzyme in the central nervous system. Acetylcholinesterase enzymes break down acetylcholine (a naturally occurring neurohormone) into acetic acid and choline. Blocking the acetylcholinesterase can result in an increased level of acetylcholine. Acetylcholine reverses the harmful effects of anticholinergic toxicity.

Anticholinergic toxicity antidotes are mainly used to treat anticholinergic toxicity.

Some of the common side effects of anticholinergic toxicity antidotes include:

• Seizures
• Diarrhea
• Hallucinations
• Shortness of breath
• Bradycardia (slow heart rate)
• Diaphoresis (excessive, abnormal sweating)
• Bronchospasm (narrowing of the airways)

The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible side effects, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. Check with your doctor or pharmacist to make sure these drugs do not cause any harm when you take them along with other medicines. Never stop taking your medication and never change your dose or frequency without consulting your doctor.

Generic name of anticholinergic toxicity antidote includes:

• Physostigmine