Atropine

náhled|Atropin 150px|náhled|ampule 0,5mg/ml atropinuAtropine is an alkaloid contained in plants of the family Solanaceae (e.g. belladonna, henbane, etc.). It is a cholinergic (muscarinic) receptor (type M) blocker, and so it is used as a parasympatholytic agent, i.e. a substance reducing the activity of the parasympathetic nervous system. Apart from non-specific treatment of bradycardia, it is used as an antidote for organophosphate poisoning (such as pesticide poisoning).

There is an English saying to help memorize the effects of atropine ("hot as a hare, blind as a bat, dry as a bone, red as a beet, and mad as a wet hen"). The speed (rate) refers to heart action.

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