Actions of ACh on eye
Muscarinic:
Eye:
-Circular muscle of iris (M
3
)- contraction-
miosis
-Ciliary muscle (M
3
) – contraction- eye’s
focus is accomodated for near vision –
spasm of accomodation
-Better drainage of aqueous humor – reduced
intraocular pressure
-Lacrimal glands (M
3
) - lacrimation
Acetylcholine Acetylcholine
No therapeutic use because
i)Ultra short action: rapidly
hydrolyzed by cholinesterases
ii)Widespread and nonselective
activity: act on all receptors
Drugs which mimic the actions of
Ach are called as cholinergic drugs
or parasympathomimetic drugs or
cholinomimetic or cholinergic
agonists
2. Indirectly acting (Anticholinesterases)
A. Reversible :
Physostigmine, neostigmine,
pyridostigmine, edrophonium
B. Irreversible:
Organophosphates: Parathion, Malathion
Mechanism of action of
Anticholinesterases
Inhibit acetylcholinesterase (AChE) enzyme
Ach ----------- Choline + acetate
AChE
Accumulation of Ach Action
Neostigmine
___
_
Therapeutic uses
Ophthalmic use :
i) Glaucoma
ii)To counteract the effects of mydriatics
iii) To break adhesions between the iris and
lens or iris and cornea
Myasthenia gravis : neostigmine
Belladona (Atropine) poisoning :
Physostigmine – specific antidote
Irreversible AChE inhibitorsIrreversible AChE inhibitors
Mainly used as insecticides and
pesticides
Adverse effects of Adverse effects of
anticholinesterases anticholinesterases
Diarrhea, urination, bronchoconstriction,
lacrimation, salivation, sweating,
bradycardia, fasciculation of skeletal
muscle
Organophosphorus poisoning: treated
with an anticholinergic, atropine
Pharmacological actions of atropinePharmacological actions of atropine
CNS :
High doses – restlessness, delirium,
disorientation
CVS :
Tachycardia
Eye :
mydriasis : “Passive mydriasis”
Photophobia, abolition of light reflex
“Paralysis of accomodation or cycloplegia”
Rise in IOP
Decrease in lacrimation – dry eyes
Respiratory system :
Bronchodilatation
Decreased secretions
GIT :
Reduce gastric acid secretion
Reduced tone and motility of gut, constriction
of sphincters – constipation
Genitourinary tract :
Relaxation of ureter and urinary bladder –
urinary retention
Glands :
Decreases sweat, salivary, tracheobronchial
and lacrimal secretion
Body temperature :
Rise in body temperature
“Atropine fever”
Uses of atropine Uses of atropine
Preanaesthetic medication: to decrease
secretion
Oraganophosphorous poisoning
Therapeutic uses Therapeutic uses
Motion sickness : Scopolamine
Parkinson’s disease :benzhexol,
benztropine etc.
Bronchial asthma : ipratropium and
tiotropium bromide
Preanaesthetic medication :
glycopyrrolate ,
As mydriatic during fundoscopy and
testing of refractive error – Tropicamide,
cyclopentolate
Side effects of atropine :
Dry mouth
Blurred vision and photophobia
Urinary retention
Constipation
Dry, hot skin
Precipitation of glaucoma
Decreased sweating