Classification of cholinergic drugs

CLASSIFICATION OF CHOLINERGIC DRUGS

Directly acting drugs ( act directly either on muscarinic or nicotinic  receptors)

  • Choline esters: Acetylcholine, Methacholine, Carbachol, Bethanechol
  • Alkaloids: Muscarine, Pilocarpine, Arecoline

Indirectly acting drugs (act by inhibiting acetylcholinesterase and thereby increasing the concentration of Ach at parasympathetic nerve endings)

  • Reversible inhibitors of cholinesterase: Physostigmine, Neostigmine, Edrophonium .
  • Irreversible inhibitors of cholinesterase: Organophosphorus compounds like  Di-isopropyl flurophosphate, Tetra ethylpyrophosphate, Parathion, Malathion, Sarin etc.,
Last modified: Sunday, 16 October 2011, 9:59 AM