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Anticholinergic (Oral Route, Parenteral Route, Rectal Route, Transdermal Route)
Drug Information provided by: MicromedexUS Brand Names
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Canadian Brand Names
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Description
The anticholinergics/antispasmodics are a group of medicines that include the natural belladonna alkaloids (atropine, belladonna, hyoscyamine, and scopolamine) and related products.
The anticholinergics/antispasmodics are used to relieve cramps or spasms of the stomach, intestines, and bladder. Some are used together with antacids or other medicine in the treatment of peptic ulcer. Others are used to prevent nausea, vomiting, and motion sickness.
Anticholinergics/antispasmodics are also used in certain surgical and emergency procedures. In surgery, some are given by injection before anesthesia to help relax you and to decrease secretions, such as saliva. During anesthesia and surgery, atropine, glycopyrrolate, hyoscyamine, and scopolamine are used to help keep the heartbeat normal. Scopolamine is also used to prevent nausea and vomiting after anesthesia and surgery. Atropine is also given by injection to help relax the stomach and intestines for certain types of examinations. Some anticholinergics are also used to treat poisoning caused by medicines such as neostigmine and physostigmine, certain types of mushrooms, and poisoning by “nerve”' gases or organic phosphorous pesticides (for example, demeton [Systox], diazinon, malathion, parathion, and ronnel [Trolene]). Also, anticholinergics can be used for painful menstruation, runny nose, and to prevent urination during sleep.
These medicines may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.
The anticholinergics/antispasmodics are available only with your doctor's prescription.
Once a medicine has been approved for marketing for a certain use, experience may show that it is also useful for other medical problems. Although these uses are not included in product labeling, anticholinergics/antispasmodics are used in certain patients with the following medical conditions:
- Asthma treatment (atropine)
- Diarrhea
- Excessive watering of mouth
This product is available in the following dosage forms:
- Capsule, Liquid Filled
- Solution
- Tablet
- Capsule
- Syrup
- Elixir
- Suppository
- Capsule, Extended Release
- Tablet, Extended Release
- Patch, Extended Release
- Gel/Jelly
- Spray
- Liquid
- Tablet, Disintegrating
- Tablet, Chewable
