Parasympatholytic

A parasympatholytic agent is a substance or activity that reduces the activity of the parasympathetic nervous system.

The term parasympatholytic typically refers to the effect of a drug, although some poisons act to block the parasympathetic nervous system as well. Most drugs with parasympatholytic properties are anticholinergics.

Parasympatholytic agents and sympathomimetic agents have similar effects to each other, although some differences between the two groups can be observed. For example, both cause mydriasis, but parasympatholytics reduce accommodation (cycloplegia), whereas sympathomimetics do not.

Clinical significance

Parasympatholytic drugs are sometimes used to treat slow heart rhythms (bradycardias or bradydysrhythmias) caused by myocardial infarctions or other pathologies, as well as to treat conditions that cause bronchioles in the lung to constrict, such as asthma. By blocking the parasympathetic nervous system, parasympatholytic drugs can increase heart rate in patients with bradycardic heart rhythms, and open up airways and reduce mucous production in patients with asthma.

See also

• Parasympathomimetic drug

References

External links

• Overview at salisbury.edu
• Parasympatholytics at the U.S. National Library of Medicine Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)

1. Antispasmodic
2. Sympathomimetic drug
3. Gallamine triethiodide
4. Viatris
5. Atropine
6. Muscarinic antagonist
7. Hexamethonium
8. Trospium chloride
9. Parasympathomimetic drug
10. Hyperthermia
11. Medication
12. Saline (medicine)
13. Eye drop
14. Accommodation (vertebrate eye)
15. Respiratory pharmacology
16. Pecazine
17. Muscarine
18. Paramedic
19. Benzilylcholine mustard
20. Pseudoceratina