What does anticholinergic mean?
Anticholinergic refers to a type of drug or agent that blocks the action of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine in the central and peripheral nervous system. These agents are used to treat a variety of conditions, including overactive bladder, irritable bowel syndrome, and certain types of poisoning. Anticholinergic medications work by inhibiting the action of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that plays a key role in many bodily functions, including muscle contraction and relaxation, heart rate, digestion, saliva production, and the regulation of mood and sleep. The term 'anticholinergic' is often used in medical and pharmacological contexts, and is an important concept in the study of pharmacology and neuroscience.
Of or relating to a substance that inhibits the action of acetylcholine.
"The anticholinergic effects of the medication caused the patient to experience dry mouth and constipation."
Often used in medical and pharmacological contexts.
A drug that acts to inhibit the action of acetylcholine.
"The patient was prescribed an anticholinergic to manage her overactive bladder symptoms."
Can be used to treat conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome and overactive bladder.
Used as a countable noun when referring to multiple types of anticholinergic medications.
"The pharmacy stocked a variety of anticholinergics to treat different conditions."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of anticholinergic
The term 'anticholinergic' is derived from the words 'anti-' meaning 'against', 'choline' which is a type of chemical compound, and the suffix '-ergic' which means 'relating to energy or work'. The term was first used in the early 20th century to describe a class of drugs that block the action of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that plays a key role in many bodily functions.
Usage notes
The term 'anticholinergic' is often used in medical and pharmacological contexts to describe a specific class of drugs. It can also be used more broadly to describe any substance that blocks the action of acetylcholine.