Classification of Cholinergic Drugs

This page outlines the classification of cholinergic drugs. They are broadly categorized into cholinergic agonists (cholinomimetic drugs) and cholinergic antagonists. Cholinergic agonists are further divided into direct-acting and indirect-acting drugs.

Direct-acting cholinomimetics activate muscarinic and nicotinic receptors directly. They include choline esters and alkaloids. Indirect-acting cholinomimetics increase acetylcholine levels by inhibiting acetylcholinesterase. These include organophosphates and carbamates.

Definition: Cholinomimetic drugs are substances that mimic the action of acetylcholine in the body.

Example: Bethanechol is a direct-acting cholinomimetic used to treat urinary retention.

Cholinergic Agonists: Direct-Acting Drugs

This page focuses on direct-acting cholinergic agonist drugs. Choline esters, a subclass of direct-acting cholinomimetics, include acetylcholine (the prototype), bethanechol (for urinary retention), carbachol (for glaucoma), and methacholine (for asthma diagnosis).

Alkaloids, another subclass of direct-acting cholinomimetics, include pilocarpine, which is the drug of choice for emergency lowering of intraocular pressure in acute angle-closure glaucoma.

The page also mentions edrophonium, an indirect-acting cholinergic drug used in the diagnosis of myasthenia gravis through the Tensilon test.

Highlight: Pilocarpine is crucial in the emergency treatment of acute angle-closure glaucoma.

Vocabulary: Myasthenia gravis - An autoimmune disorder characterized by muscle weakness due to damaged acetylcholine receptors.