Cholinergic Antagonists Overview

Cholinergic Antagonists Overview

• Cholinergic antagonists inhibit the action of acetylcholine at cholinergic receptors, blocking parasympathetic effects.
• These agents are used to manage various medical conditions by modulating the autonomic nervous system.

Group Interfering with Parasympathetic Innervation

• The group of cholinergic antagonists that interrupts parasympathetic innervation includes antimuscarinics, which block muscarinic receptors.
• This leads to decreased secretions, reduced gastrointestinal motility, and bronchodilation.

Clinical Importance of Ganglionic Blockers

• Ganglionic blockers are significant in treating hypertension and providing controlled hypotension during surgery.
• They block transmission at autonomic ganglia, affecting both sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions.

Use of Neuromuscular-Blocking Agents

• Neuromuscular-blocking agents are administered during surgical procedures to induce muscle relaxation and facilitate intubation.
• Common applications include general anesthesia, facilitating mechanical ventilation, and some diagnostic procedures.

Preference of Ganglionic Blockers

• Ganglionic blockers prefer nicotinic receptors located in autonomic ganglia over postsynaptic receptors in the neuromuscular junction.
• This specificity impacts their effects on sympathetic and parasympathetic nerve transmission.