Scopolamine and atropine have similar effects on the peripheral nervous system. However, scopolamine has greater effects on the central nervous system (CNS) than atropine due to its ability to cross the blood–brain barrier. At higher-than-therapeutic doses, atropine and scopolamine cause CNS depression characterized by amnesia, fatigue, and reduction in rapid eye movement sleep. Scopolamine (Hyoscine) has anti-emetic activity and is, therefore, used to treat motion sickness. Antimuscarinics are also used as anti-parkinsonian drugs. In parkinsonism, there is imbalance between levels of acetylcholine and dopamine in the brain, involving both increased levels of acetylcholine and degeneration of dopaminergic pathways (nigrostriatal pathway). Thus, in parkinsonism there is decreased level of dopaminergic activity. One method of balancing the neurotransmitters is through blocking central cholinergic activity using<unk>  receptor<unk> s. Atropine acts on the M2 receptors of the heart and antagonizes the activity of acetylcholine. It causes tachycardia by blocking vagal effects on the sinoatrial node. Acetylcholine hyperpolarizes the sinoatrial node; this is overcome by MRAs, and thus they increase the heart rate. If atropine is given by intramuscular or subcutaneous injection, it causes initial bradycardia. This is because when administered intramuscularly or subcutaneously atropine acts on presynaptic M1 receptors (autoreceptors). Uptake of acetylcholine in axoplasm is prevented and the presynaptic nerve releases more acetylcholine into the synapse, which initially causes bradycardia. In the atrioventricular node, the resting potential is lowered, which facilitates conduction. This is seen as a shortened PR-interval on an electrocardiogram. It has an opposite effect on blood pressure. Tachycardia and stimulation of the vasomotor center causes an increase in blood pressure. But, due to feedback regulation of the vasomotor center, there is a fall in blood pressure due to vasodilation. Important<unk> s include atropine, Hyoscyamine, hyoscine butylbromide and hydrobromide, ipratropium, tropicamide, cyclopentolate, pirenzepine and scopalamine.<unk> s such as ipratropium bromide can also be effective in treating asthma, since acetylcholine is known to cause smooth muscle contraction, especially in the bronchi.
Muscarinic antagonist
Alpha-adrenergic agonist
Beta-adrenergic agonist
Adenosine receptor antagonist
Dopamine agonist
Beta2-adrenergic agonist
Norepinephrine–dopamine disinhibitor
Dopamine antagonist