Cholinergic Effects
This system is also known as “rest and digest.”
Parasympathetic system
These cholinergic agonists directly bind to ACh receptors.
Direct-acting cholinergic agonists
Pilocarpine is used to treat this eye condition.
Glaucoma
Anticholinergic drugs cause this effect in the pupils.
Dilation
This anticholinergic is used for motion sickness and comes as a patch.
Scopolamine
Cholinergic stimulation causes this effect in the pupils.
Miosis (pupil constriction)
These drugs prevent the breakdown of ACh by blocking acetylcholinesterase.
Indirect-acting cholinergic agonists
Cevimeline is used to treat dry mouth in this autoimmune disorder.
Sjogren's syndrome
These two common side effects occur because anticholinergics reduce secretions.
Dry mouth and dry eyes
This inhaled anticholinergic is used for COPD maintenance.
Ipratropium or tiotropium
Increased GI motility from cholinergic drugs can cause these two symptoms.
Cramping and diarrhea
This direct‑acting drug is used to treat urinary retention.
Bethanechol
These two medications are used for smoking cessation and act on nicotinic receptors.
Anticholinergics can worsen this urinary condition in men.
BPH (bladder outlet obstruction)
This anticholinergic is commonly used to treat overactive bladder.
Oxybutynin
Cholinergic stimulation of the bladder increases this muscle’s contraction.
Detrusor muscle
This indirect‑acting drug class is used to treat myasthenia gravis.
Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (e.g., pyridostigmine)
This drug class is used to slow progression of Alzheimer’s disease.
Indirect-acting cholinergic agonists (AChE inhibitors)
Patients taking anticholinergics should avoid overheating because these drugs reduce this body function.
Sweating
This anticholinergic is used to increase heart rate in symptomatic bradycardia.
Atropine
Cholinergic stimulation in the lungs causes this respiratory effect.
Bronchoconstriction
This condition can occur from too much cholinergic stimulation and includes salivation, diarrhea, and bradycardia.
Cholinergic crisis
This topical indirect‑acting drug is used in the eye to increase ACh effects.
Echothiophate iodide
These two drug classes should be avoided with anticholinergics due to additive effects.
Antihistamines and TCAs
These medications block muscarinic receptors and can be given orally, IV, IM, inhaled, or transdermal.
Anticholinergic agents (parasympatholytics)