What it means
A drug that blocks acetylcholine at muscarinic receptors, so it works against the "rest and digest" side of the autonomic nervous systemaw-tuh-NOM-ik NUR-vus SIS-tumThe part of the nervous system that controls body functions without conscious thought, such as heart rate, breathing and digestion.auto- selfnom/o law, control-ic relating toFull entry . It is given IV for symptomatic bradycardiabray-dee-KAR-dee-uhA heart rate slower than normal; in an adult, fewer than 60 beats per minute.brady- slowcardi/o heart-ia conditionFull entry , before some surgeries to dry mouth and airway secretions, and in large doses as an antidoteAN-tih-dohtA substance that reverses or blocks the effects of a poison or of a drug overdose.Full entry for organophosphate (insecticide) and nerve agent poisoning. Eye drops widen the pupil for eye exams.
For the nurse
Expected effects include a faster heart rate, dry mouth, blurred vision, flushed dry skin, urinary retention and constipation. Watch the heart rate and rhythm on a monitor when given IV. Use with care in clients with glaucoma or an enlarged prostate. The Beers Criteria advise avoiding strongly anticholinergic drugs in older adults, as they can cause confusion.
Remember it
Anticholinergic effects: dry as a bone, red as a beet, blind as a bat, hot as a hare, mad as a hatter.
At a glance
| Drug class | anticholinergic (antimuscarinic) |
|---|---|
| Brand names | AtroPen (auto-injector), Isopto Atropine (eye drops) |
| Spanish | atropina |
Related terms
bradycardia
A heart rate slower than normal; in an adult, fewer than 60 beats per minute.
autonomic nervous system
The part of the nervous system that controls body functions without conscious thought, such as heart rate, breathing and digestion.
antidote
A substance that reverses or blocks the effects of a poison or of a drug overdose.