Anticholinergic drugs

Definition

Anticholinergic drugs are medications that block the action of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter involved in transmitting messages in the nervous system, particularly within the autonomic nervous system. These drugs are used to treat a variety of conditions by inhibiting parasympathetic nerve impulses.

Related terms

Acetylcholine:

A neurotransmitter in both the central and peripheral nervous systems that plays an important role in muscle contraction and sensory processing.

Autonomic Nervous System:

The part of the nervous system that controls involuntary bodily functions such as heart rate, digestion, and respiratory rate.

Parasympathetic Nervous System:

One of two divisions of the autonomic nervous system responsible for rest and digest activities, opposing the action of the sympathetic nervous system