Autonomic drugs: cholinergic agonists and antagonists
Pharmacology · MBBS
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Study notes
A farmer collapses in the field, salivating, with pinpoint pupils and twitching muscles. This is organophosphate poisoning (pesticide) — acetylcholinesterase inhibited, acetylcholine floods every synapse: SLUDGE (salivation, lacrimation, urination, defecation, GI cramps, emesis) + muscle twitching + pinpoint pupils + bradycardia. Atropine blocks the muscarinic flood; pralidoxime reactivates the enzyme (before it 'ages'). Decontaminate, ventilate, treat fast — the toxidrome is the diagnosis, and time is the antidote's window.
Related topics
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