2. An anticholinergic agent is a
substance that blocks the neurotransmitter
acetylcholine in the central and the
peripheral nervous system
they inhibit parasympathetic nerve
impulses by selectively blocking the binding
of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine to its
receptor in nerve cells
8. STRUCTURE
Atropine is a product resulted from esterification
of tropic and tropine base
In scopolamine, there is an oxygen bridging
(epoxide)
In homatropine, hydroxymethyl of atropine is
replaced by an OH-radical (tertiary)
9. PHARMACOKINETIC
Tertiary group:
lipid soluble
distribution is wide
absorption from gut and across conjunctiva is good
absorption across skin in suitable vehicle is good.
Significant concentration is reached within 0.5-1h (eg.
scopolamine)
Quaternary group:
not very lipid soluble
distribution is confined to peripheral tissues (no central
toxicity)
absorption from the site of application is poor
10. Metabolism:
1/2 is metabolized by hepatic esterase (atropinase)
1/3 is excreted unchanged in the urine
80% excreted in the urine with an half-life of 2h
the effects on the eye persist 40-72h
11. PHARMACODYNAMIC
Interaction with muscarinic receptors: reversible,
competitive
Receptor selectivity:
Atropine: -selective for muscarinic receptors
non-selective for muscarinic receptor subtypes
But, pirenzepine a selective antagonist for m1-
receptors(stomach parietal cells)
Quaternary group:
not very selective for muscarinic receptors
can also antagonize Nicotinic-receptors in autonomic
ganglia
12. Tissue selectivity:
Tissues more sensitive to:
Atropine: salivary, sweat and bronchial glands
Pirenzepine (telenzepine, more effective): acid
secretion from parietal cells (stomach)
Scopolamine: more effective on vestibular
disturbances (eg. Motion sickness)
13. SOURCE
Atropine
- From Atropa belladonnea
Datura stromonium
Occurs as l-form, not stable
racemizes to dl-form rapidly
commercial products contain dl-form
l-form is 100-times as potent as d- or dl-forms
-Scopolamine
From Hyosciamus niger
Occurs as l-form
its l- form is stable
16. Muscarinic antagonists prevent the effects of ACh
by blocking its binding to muscarinic receptors on
effector cells at parasympathetic neuroeffector
junctions, in peripheral ganglia, and in the CNS.
In general, muscarinic antagonists cause little
blockade of nicotinic receptors.
The quaternary ammonium antagonists generally
exhibit a greater degree of nicotinic blocking activity
and therefore are more likely to interfere with
ganglionic or neuromuscular transmission.
17. Most clinically available muscarinic antagonists are
nonselective and their actions differ little from those
of atropine, the prototype of the group.
No subtypeselective antagonist, including
pirenzepine, is completely selective
18. STRUCTURE-ACTIVITY RELATIONSHIPS
An intact ester of tropine and tropic acid is
essential for antimuscarinic action,
The presence of a free OH group in the acyl portion
of the ester also is important for activity.
When given parenterally, quaternary ammonium
derivatives more potent than their parent
compounds in both muscarinic and ganglionic
(nicotinic) blocking activities.
The quaternary derivatives, when given orally, are
poorly and unreliably absorbed.
19. MECHANISM OF ACTION.
Atropine and related compounds compete with
ACh and other muscarinic agonists for a
common binding site on the muscarinic
receptor.
Since antagonism by atropine is competitive, it can
be overcome if the concentration of ACh at
muscarinic receptors of the effector organ is
increased sufficiently.
Muscarinic receptor antagonists inhibit responses
to postganglionic cholinergic nerve stimulation less
effectively than they inhibit responses to injected
choline esters.
21. PHARMACOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF
MUSCARINIC ANTAGONISTS
CNS
In clinical dose:
- With atropine:
- a long lasting sedation with slow onset
- stimulation of vagal nuclei in the brain stem
With scopolamine:
- sedative effect is more powerful (drowsiness, amnesia)
22. In toxic dose: (both atropine and scopolamine)
Excitement
Agitation
Hallucination
Coma
Disorientation
Delerium
23. EYE
Mydriasis
Paralysis of ciliary muscle (cycloplegia):
Loss of accommodation
Adjustment of eye for far vision
Photophobia
Blurred vision
Lasts for 7-10 days
Acute glaucoma attack in patient with narrow irido-
corneal angle due to impairment of drainage
Reduction of lacrimal secretion leading dry sandy
eye
24. CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM
Low dose central vagal stimulation
initial bradycardia
followed by tachycardia resulting from peripheral
anticholinergic efffec and thus unopposed sympathetic
activity
Moderate dose tachycardia due to unopposed
sympathetic activity
Atroventricular conduction:
accelereted due to unopposed sympathetic activity
PR shortening in ECG
in toxic doses, conduction block
25. At toxic doses:
suppression of thermoregulatory sweating
cutaneous vasodilatation at Release of hiatamine
by blush areas (face, neck, ear)
The net CV effects:
Tachycardia
Slight elevation in blood pressure due to vasomotor
centre stimulation
26. RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
Some bronchodilatation
Inhibition of bronchial secretion
Premedication in anaesthesiology: Used before
inhalant anesthetics to reduce
-Bronchial secretions
-laryngospasm
-risk of airway obstructions
-postoperative pneumonia
27. GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT
Inhibition of saliva secretion → Dry mouth
Gastric secretion:
Blocked to lesser extent by atropine.
But, is blocked by pirenzepine and telenzepine
Volume of secretion and amount of acid, pepsin and
mucine are all reduced
Large doses of atropine are necessary to reduce gastric
secretions
28. Motility of gut is more powerfully depressed by
atropine than gastrointestinal secretions
Smooth musles of gut wall are paralysed
Propulsive movements are diminished
Sphincter muscles are not able to relax,constipation
Gastric emptying time prolonged
Intestinal transit time is lengthened
Some antimuscarinics have direct spasmolytic effect
as well
29. GENITO-URINARY TRACT
Smooth muscles of ureter and bladder wall are
relaxed
This is useful in the treatment of spastic pain due to
mild urinary inflammations
Sphincter muscles of bladder become unable to
relax.
urinary retention
may be hazardous in elder with prostate
hypertrophy
Helpful in increasing bladder capacity
Controls detrusor hypereflexia in neurogenic
bladder
30. EFFECTS ON SWEAT GLAND
Thermoregulatory sweating is depressed by
atropine
In adults, large doses of atropine can increase body
temperature
In infants and children, even ordinary doses may
cause atropine fever
31. Other actions:
Markedly decreases salivary,lacrimal and
tracheobronchial secretion
Decrease secretion of acid,pepsin and mucus of
stomach
Mild local anaesthetic action on cornea
32. ATROPINE SUBSTITUTES
Most of semisynthgetic belladona alkaloid
derivatives and synthetic compounds are atropine
sucbstitutes
Differs only slightly from atropine
33. USES
Respiratory system:
Ipratropium and tiotropium .
Used in Asthma and COPD
These agents often are used with inhaled long-acting
β2 adrenergic receptor agonists,
Ipratropium is administered four times daily via a
metered-dose inhaler ornebulizer;
tiotropium is administered once daily via a dry powder
inhaler.
Ipratropium also is FDA-approved for use in nasal
inhalers for the treatment of the rhinorrhea associated
with the common cold or with allergic or
nonallergicperennial rhinitis..
34. GENITOURINARY TRACT.
Overactive urinary bladder can be successfully treated with
muscarinic receptor antagonists.
These agents can lower intravesicular pressure, increase
capacity, and reduce the frequency of contractions by
antagonizing parasympathetic control of the bladder; they also
may alter bladder sensation during filling
Muscarinic antagonists can be used to treat enuresis in
children
In overactive bladder
oxybutynin
tolterodine
trospium chloride
Darifenacin ,
Solifenacin , and
Fesoterodine
Flavoxate
35. The most important adverse reactions are
consequences of muscarinic receptor blockade and
include xerostomia, blurred vision, and GI side effects
such as constipation and dyspepsia.
CNS-related antimuscarinic effects, including
drowsiness, dizziness, and confusion, can occur and are
particularly problematic in elderly patients.
CNS effects appear to be less likely with trospium, a
quaternary amine, and with darifenacin and solifenacin;
The latter agents are relatively selective for M3
receptors and therefore have minimal effects on M1
receptors in the CNS, which appear to play an important
role in memory and cognition
36. GI TRACT
As antisecretory.
In Peptic ulcer.
Pirenzepine
Telenzepine.
In reducing spasticity or motility of the GI tract (e.g.,
atropine,hyoscyamine and scopolamine) alone or in
combination with sedatives or antianxiety
agents(e.g., chlordiazepoxide
37. Reduce tone and motility
M3-selective antagonists might achieve more selectivity
Glycopyrrolate also is used to reduce GI tone and
motility.
Diarrhea associated with irritation of the lower
bowel, may respond to atropine-like drugs, an effect
that likely involves actions on ion transport as well
as motility.
Dicyclomine is a weak muscarinic receptor
antagonist that also has nonspecific direct
spasmolytic effects on smooth muscle of the GI
tract.
It is occasionally used in the treatment of diarrhea-
predominant irritable bowel syndrome.
38. EYE.
Produce mydriasis and cycloplegia.
For breaking or preventing the development of
adhesions between the iris and the lens.
Complete cycloplegia may be necessary in the
treatment of iridocyclitis and choroiditis and for
accurate measurement of refractive errors.
Homatropine hydrobromide
Cyclopentolate hydrochloride
Tropicamide
39. CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM.
Atropine may be considered in the initial treatment of patients
with acute myocardial infarction in whom excessive vagal tone
causes sinus bradycardia or AV nodal block.
Doses that are too low can cause a paradoxical bradycardia ,
while excessive doses will cause tachycardia that may extend the
infarct by increasing the demand for oxygen.
It has little effect on most ventricular rhythms.
Eliminate premature ventricular contractions associated with a
very slow atrial rate.
Reduce the degree of AV block when increased vagal tone is
a major factor in the conduction defect, such as the second-
degree AV block that can be produced by digitalis.
Selective M2 receptor antagonists would be of potential utility
in blocking ACh-mediated bradycardia or AV block.
40. CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM.
In prevention of motion sickness.
Scopolamine is the most effective agent
A transdermal preparation of scopolamine is used
prophylactically for the prevention of motion sickness.
In the treatment of Parkinson disease.
Benztropine
Trihexyphenidyl
Biperiden
Selective M1 and M4 muscarinic antagonists may be
efficacious for the treatment of Parkinson disease
While selective M3 antagonists may be useful in the
treatment of obesity and associated metabolic
abnormalities.
41. Uses in Anesthesia.
Atropine commonly is given to block responses to
vagal reflexes induced by surgical manipulation of
visceral organs.
Atropine or glycopyrrolate is used with neostigmine
to block its parasympathomimetic effects
Serious cardiac arrhythmias have occasionally
occurred, perhaps because of the initial bradycardia
produced by atropine combined with the
cholinomimetic effects of neostigmine.
42. ANTICHOLINESTERASE POISONING
Atropine is not an actual antidote for organophosphate
poisoning.
By blocking the action of acetylcholine at Muscarinic
receptors, atropine also serves as a treatment for
poisoning by organophosphate insecticides
Atropine is often used in conjunction with oximes
Atropine is given as a treatment for SLUDGE
syndrome (salivation, lacrimation, urination, diaphoresi
s, gastrointestinal motility, emesis) symptoms caused
by organophosphate poisoning.
43. Other Therapeutic Uses of Muscarinic
Antagonists.
Methscopolamine –In temporary relief of symptoms
of allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, and the common cold.
Homatropine potent as a ganglionic blocking
agent,primarily used with hydrocodone as an
antitussive combination
44. MUSHROOM INTOXICATION
I) Intoxications with rapid onset (eg. within 2
hours)
II) Intoxications with slow onset (eg. within 2 to 6
hours)
45. Rapid acting mushroom intoxications
1. -Mushrooms: Inocybe, Clitocybe
-posses high amount of muscarine
-cause severe parasympathomimetic effects
-onset of intoxication symptoms: within 15-30mins
-antidote: Atropine
2. -Mushrooms: Psilocibe, Copelandin, Pancoulus,
Gymnopilus species
-posses psychoactive alkaloids such as psilocybin and
psilocin
-cause delirium, euphoria, hallucination
-induce no sleep
- symptoms last 2-4 hours
-Treatment: Diazepam, phenothiazines
46. 3. -Mushrooms: A. muscaria, A. pantherina, A.
cothurnate, A. gemmata
-posses GABA antagonists such as ibotenic acid and
mushimol
-cause delirium, euphoria, hallucination
-but do induce sleep and coma
-symptoms resemble those of atropine, but not responsive
physostigmine
-symptoms last 2-9 hours
- no antidote available
4. -Mushroom: Coprinus atramentarius
-contain coprin which inhibits aldehyde dehydrogenase
-cause disulfiram-like effects (aldehyde reaction!)
-toxic effects appear, when alcohol is drunken 2-3h after
ingestion of mushrooms
47. Slow acting mushroom intoxications
Amanita phalloides group
-Mushrooms: A. phalloides, A. verna, A. virosa
-Toxins: Phalloidin and α-Amanitin
α-Amanitin Inhibition of Depression of mRNA RNA-
polymerase-II protein synthesis
- hepatotoxicity Tissue necrosis
- nephrotoxicity
- CNS toxicity
48. Intoxications have 3 phases
1sth phase:
- resembles muscarine intoxication
- symptoms appear 8-12h after mushroom ingestion
2nd phase:
- symptoms in the first phase lessen and disappear within 24-
48h
- patient becomes asymptomatic in appearance
- but, biochemical hepatic changes continue developing
eg. - increase in transaminase activity
- elevation of biliuribin levels
- prolongation of prothrombin time
- lasts 2-6 days
-the patient may be discharged from the hospital considering
healed
49. 3rd phase:
- begins abruptly with signs and symptoms of
hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity: -
jaundice
- encephalopathy
- coagulopathy
- hypoglycemia
- acute renal insufficiency
1/3th of patients die within a week or so
50. ATROPINE POISONING
In overdoses, atropine is poisonous.
Atropine is incapacitating at doses of 10 to 20 mg per
person.
Its LD50 is estimated to be 453 mg per person
The antidote to atropine is physostigmine or
pilocarpine
These associations reflect the specific changes of
warm, dry skin from decreased sweating, blurry vision,
decreased sweating/lacrimation, vasodilation
This set of symptoms is known as anticholinergic
toxidrome
"hot as a hare, blind as a bat, dry as a bone, red
as a beet, and mad as a hatter".
51. ADVERSE EFFECTS OF ANTIMUSCARINICS
-Mydriasis and cycloplegia, when used against gut
disorders
-Blockade of all parasympathetic functions:
-dry mouth, sandy eye
-mydriasis
-tachycardia, hot and flushed skin
-agitation, delirium, hallucination
-elevation of body temperature (children)
52. -Treatment of adverse effects:
-due to overdose of atropine and its tertiary
congeners
Physostigmine:
- 1-4mg, iv. in adults
- 0.5-1mg iv. in children
- Severe hyperthermia: - cooling blanket
- Seizures: -iv. diazepam
54. Central antimuscarinics used against
Parkinson’s disease
Trihexyphenidyl 6-20mg
Procyclidine 7.5-30mg
Orphenanrine 150-400mg
Ethopropazine 150-300mg
Chlorphenoxamine 150-460mg
Biperiden 2-12mg
Benzotropine mesylate
55. Ganglion-blocking agents competitively block the action of
acetylcholine and similar agonists at nicotinic (Nn)
receptors of both parasympathetic and sympathetic
autonomic ganglia.
56. Ganglionic blockers
Hexamethonium : acts mainly by channel blocker
Decamethonium
Quaternary -Tetraethyl ammonium:
short acting
-Pentolinium
-Chlorizondamine
-Trimetaphan:
very short acting
-Mecamylamine
Secondary -Pempidine
57. Mechanism of ganglionic block:
1) Depolarizing block, eg. by sustained
depolarization: Ach, nicotine, carbamoylcholine
2) Nondepolarizing competitive antagonism of Ni
receptors
3) Channel block: Hexamethonium
58. Results of ganglion blockade
CNS:
- Quaternary group is devoid of such effects
- Secondary group readily enters CNS: sedation, tremor,
choreiform movements,mental disturbances
EYE:
- Moderate mydriasis (since p.sympathetic influence on
iris is dominant)
- Cycloplegia with loss of accommodation
59. CVS:
- Sympathetic CV reflexes are depressed
- Sympathetic influence on arteriols and veins are
diminished, PVR and venous return are reduced,
vasodilatation, hypotension (orthostatic), tachycardia
GUT:
- Secretions and motility are inhibited
- Some degree of constipation
Urinary system:
- Urination is blocked
- Urine retention in a man with prostate hypertrophy
Thermoregulatory sweating is blocked.
60. THERAPEUTIC USES:
1) Hypertension:
- rapid tolerance development and orthostatic
hypotension
-now more effective agents are available
2) Acute hypertensive crisis in a patient with
dissecting aortic aneurism.
Trimetaphan: 0.5-3mg/min by iv infusion
Disadvantage: tolerance development within 48h
3) Production of controlled hypotension to minimize
haemorrhage at the operative field.
Trimetaphan: 1-4mg/min by iv infusion
4) Autonomic hyperreflexia (or reflex sympathetic
dystrophy)
62. NEUROMUSCULAR BLOCKERS
Block synaptic transmission at the neuromuscular
junction
Affect synaptic transmission only at skeletal muscle
Does not affect nerve transmission, action potential
generation
Act at nicotinic acetylcholine receptor NM
65. MECHANISM OF ACTION
SUXAMETHONIUM:
• Block transmission by causing prolonged depolarization
of endplate at neuromuscular junction.
• Manifestation by initial series of muscle twitches
(fasciculation) followed by flaccid paralysis.
• It immediately metabolize in plasma by Pseudo-
cholinesterase which is synthesized by liver so to prevent
its metabolism in plasma it should be given at faster rate.
66. SYSTEMIC EFFECTS
Cardiovascular: Produces muscarinic effects as
acetylcholine , therefore causes bradycardia ( but when
given high doses causes tachycardia because of
stimulation of nicotinic receptors at sympathetic
ganglions.)
Hyperkalemia: Occurs due to excessive muscle
fasciculations. Ventricular fibrillation can occur due to
hyperkalemia.
CNS: Increases intracranial tension ( due to contraction
of neck vessels)
Eye: Increases intraocular pressure.
67. GIT: Increases intra-gastric pressure , salivation, peristalsis.
Muscle pains ( myalgia): This is a very common problem in
post operative period. These are due to excessive muscle
contractions.
Malignant hyperthermia
Severe Anaphylaxis
Masseter Spasm : Sch can cause masseter spasm
especially in children & patients susceptible for malignant
hyperthermia.
Doesnot require reversal rather cholinesterase inhibitors
(neostigmine) can prolong the depolarizing block (because
these agents also inhibits the pseudocholinesterase)
69. NON-DEPOLARIZING MUSCLE
RELAXANTS:
Mechanism of action:
• It blocks nicotinic receptors competitively resulting
in inhibition of sodium channels and excitatory post-
synaptic potential.
• It binds at the same site at which acetylcholine
binds.
• All NDMR are quarternary ammonium compounds
& highly water soluble i.e. hydrophilic. So, they do
not cross blood brain barrier & placenta except
Gallamine.
70. BROAD CLASSIFICATION
These are broadly divided into steroidal compounds
and benzylisoquinoline (BZIQ) compunds.
STEROIDAL COMPOUNS: (vagolytic properties)
It includes PANCURONIUM,VECURONIUM ,
PIPECURONIUM,ROCURONIUM,
RAPACURONIUM,DOXACURIUM
BZIQ(Benzylisoquinoline): (hystamine realease)
It includes d-Tubocurare, Metocurine, Doxacurium,
Atracurium, Mivacurium, Cisatracurium
OTHERS includes Gallamine, Alcuronium
71. DIFFERENCES BETWEEN DEPOLARIZING & NON-
DEPOLARIZING BLOCK
Depolarizing Nondepolarizing
Also called Phase I block -
Block preceded by muscle
fasciculations
No fasciculations
Depolarizing blocking drugs are called
Leptocurare
Called pachycurare
Does not require reversal rather
cholinesterase inhibitors (Neostigmine)
can prolong the depolarizing block (
because these agents also inhibit the
pseudocholinesterase).
Reversed by cholinesterase
inhibitors like Neostigmine.
72. NDMR ARE USED IN ANAESTHESIA FOR:
Maintenance of anaesthesia.
For intubation where succinylcholine is contraindicated (
Rocuronium is of choice)
For precurarization to prevent postoperative myalgias by
succinylcholine.
73. STEROIDAL COMPOUNDS
Pancuronium
Very commonly used as it is inexpensive.
It releases noradrenaline & can cause tachycardia & hypertension.
Because of this there are increased chances of arrhythmia with
halothane
Pipercuronium
It is a pancuronium derivative with no vagolytic activity, so cardiovascular
stable, slightly more potent
Vercuronium
It is very commonly used now a days. It is cardiovascular stable. Shorter
duration of action.
It is the muscle relaxant of choice in cardiac patient.
Rocuronium
8 times more potent than vecuronium and it also has earlier onset of
action
Because of onset comparable to succinylcholine it is suitable for rapid
sequence intubation as an alternative to succinylcholine.
74. BENZYLISOQUINOLINE COMPOUNDS
D- Tubocurare
It is named so because it was carried in bamboo tubes &
used as arrow poison for hunting by Amazon people.
It has highest propensity to release histamine
It causes maximum ganglion blockade. Because of
ganglion blocking & histamine releasing property it can
produce severe hypotension.
Due to histamine release it can produce severe
bronchospasm.
75. REVERSAL OF BLOCK
Drugs used for reversal of block are cholinesterase inhibitors
(anticholinesterases).
Reversal should be given only after some evidence of
spontaneous recovery appear.
Mechanism of Action
It inactivate the enzyme acetylcholinesterase which is
responsible for break down of actetylcholine, thus increasing
the amount of acetylcholine available for competition with non
depolarizing agent thereby re-establishing neuromuscular
transmission.
Anticholinesterases used for reversal are:
Neostigmine
Pyridostigmine
Edrophonium
Physostigmine
76. FACTORS PROLONGING THE NEUROMUSCULAR
BLOCAKDE
Neonates
Old age
Obesity
Hepatic disease (both depolarizer & NMDR)
Renal disease ( only NDMR)
Inhalational agents : Prolong the block by both
depolarizers & NDMR. Inhalational agents decrease the
requirement of relaxant .The maximum relaxation is by
ether followed by desflurane
Antibiotics: Both depolarizers & NMDR
Aminoglycosides.
Tetracyclines.
77. Local Anaesthetics : Except procaine local anaesthetics
prolong the action by stabilizing post synaptic membrane.
Hypothermia : Decreases metabolism of muscle relaxants.
Hypocalcemia: Calcium is required for producing action
potential. Action of NDMR is enhanced.
Hypokalemia : NMDR block is enhanced.
Acid base imbalances especially acidosis.
Calcium channel blockers
Dantrolene
Neuromuscular disease
Hypermagnesemia.
78. DRUGS WHICH ANTAGONISE
NEUROMUSCULAR BLOCKADE
They reverse the block by NDMR only
Phenytoin
Carbamazepine
Calcium
Cholinesterase inhibitors
Azathioprine
Steroids.
79. SUGAMMADEX
An agent for reversal of neuromuscular blockade by
the agent rocuronium in general anaesthesia.
It is the first selective relaxant binding
agent (SRBA) .
Sugammadex is a modified γ-cyclodextrin
The rocuronium molecule bound within
sugammadex's lipophilic core, is rendered
unavailable to bind to the acetylcholine receptor at
the neuromuscular junction.
No need to rely on anticholinesterase
83. NEWER ANTICHOLINERGICS
Umeclinidium bromide:
An anticholinergic drug approved for use in
combination with vilanterol (as umeclidinium
bromide/vilanterol) for the treatment of COPD
Aclinidium
An anticholinergic for the long-term management of
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It
has a much higher propensity to bind to muscarinic
receptors than nicotinic receptors.
FDA approved on July 24, 2012.
84. DARIFENACIN
Darifenacin is a medication used to treat urinary
incontinence.
Darifenacin works by blocking the M3 muscarinic
acetylcholine receptor, which is primarily
responsible for bladder muscle contractions.
It thereby decreases the urgency to urinate. It
should not be used in people with urinary retention.
98% bound to plasma proteins
Hepatic metabolism. Primarily mediated by the
cytochrome P450 enzymes CYP2D6 and CYP3A4.
85. SOLIFENACIN
Solifenacin is a competitive cholinergic
receptor antagonist.
The binding of acetylcholine to these receptors,
particularly the M3 receptor subtype, plays a critical role
in the contraction of smooth muscle.
By preventing the binding of acetylcholine to these
receptors, solifenacin reduces smooth muscle tone in
the bladder, allowing the bladder to retain larger
volumes of urine and reducing the number of micturition,
urgency and incontinence episodes.
Because of a long elimination half life, a once-a-day
dose can offer 24 hour control of the urinary
bladder smooth muscle tone.