atropine

atropine

 [at´ro-pēn]

an anticholinergic alkaloid found in belladonna; it acts as a competitive antagonist of acetylcholine at muscarinic receptors, blocking stimulation of muscles and glands by parasympathetic and cholinergic sympathetic nerves; used as the sulfate salt as a smooth muscle relaxant, as an antiarrhythmic, as a preanesthetic to reduce secretions, as an antidote to poisoning by organophosphorus compounds, cholinesterase inhibitors, or muscarine, and as a mydriatic and cycloplegic.

atropine poisoning severe toxic reaction due to overdosage of atropine. Symptoms include dryness of mouth, thirst, difficulty in swallowing, dilated pupils, tachycardia, fever, delirium, stupor, and a rash on the face, neck, and upper trunk.

Treatment of atropine poisoning: This will depend on the patient, dose, and route of administration. A poison control center and emergency service should be contacted immediately if poisoning occurs in the home. Measures to be anticipated in the clinical setting include airway maintenance, monitoring, control of temperature, lavage, and sometimes administration of activated charcoal.

Miller-Keane Encyclopedia and Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing, and Allied Health, Seventh Edition. © 2003 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved.

at·ro·pine

(at'rō-pēn),

A racemic mixture of d- and l- hyoscyamine, alkaloids obtained from the leaves and roots of Atropa belladonna; an anticholinergic, with diverse effects (tachycardia, mydriasis, cycloplegia, constipation, urinary retention, antisudorific) attributable to reversible competitive blockade of acetylcholine at muscarinic type cholinergic receptors; most commonly used in the treatment of poisoning with organophosphate insecticides or nerve gases, as well as certain types of bradydysrhythmias and to prevent secretions during preparation for general anesthesia. The (-) form is by far the more active.

Synonym(s): dl-hyoscyamine, tropine tropate

Farlex Partner Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012

atropine

(ăt′rə-pēn′, -pĭn) also

atropin

(-pĭn)

n.

A poisonous, bitter, crystalline alkaloid, C₁₇H₂₃NO₃, obtained from belladonna and other related plants. It is used to dilate the pupils of the eyes and as an antispasmodic.

The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2007, 2004 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

atropine

Therapeutics A racemic mixture of toxic alkaloids extracted from Atropa belladonna, a competitive antagonist of anticholinergics Effects Tachycardia, ↓ salivation, GI motility–constipation, sweating, cycloplegia, mydriasis, urinary retention, bronchodilation Therapeutic use Bronchodilator, reverses effects of organophosphate pesticides, nerve gases Contraindications Narrow-angle glaucoma, synechiae between iris and lens, GI obstruction, obstructive uropathy, megacolon, GERD, unstable cardiovascular disease and acute hemorrhage, tachycardia, myasthenia gravis

McGraw-Hill Concise Dictionary of Modern Medicine. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

atropine

A bitter, poisonous alkaloid obtained from the plant Atropa belladonna (‘deadly nightshade’) and the seeds of the Thorn-apple. It blocks acetyl choline receptors and is used to relax spasm in smooth muscle in the intestines and other organs. It is also extensively used by ophthalmologists to dilate the pupil of the eye in the treatment of inflammatory disease and sometimes to facilitate examination. The drug is on the WHO official list. The generic term derives from the Greek a , not, and tropos , turning. Atropos was one of the three fates noted for her inexorable tendency to cut the thread of life.

Collins Dictionary of Medicine © Robert M. Youngson 2004, 2005

atropine

a poisonous chemical obtained from the deadly nightshade that prevents depolarization of the postsynaptic membrane and therefore prevents synaptic transmission, in a similar way to CURARE. It is used medicinally in preanaesthetic medication and to treat peptic ulcers, renal and biliary colic, etc.

Collins Dictionary of Biology, 3rd ed. © W. G. Hale, V. A. Saunders, J. P. Margham 2005

Atropine

A poisonous alkaloid obtained from belladonna or related plants, used medically to dilate the pupils of the eyes and to stop spasms.

Mentioned in: Fugu Poisoning

Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine. Copyright 2008 The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved.

atropine 

An alkaloid obtained from the belladonna plant. It is an antimuscarinic drug. In the eye it acts as a mydriatic and as a cycloplegic. It paralyses the pupillary sphincter and the ciliary muscle by preventing the action of acetylcholine at the parasympathetic nerve endings. See acetylcholine; cycloplegia; mydriatic.

Millodot: Dictionary of Optometry and Visual Science, 7th edition. © 2009 Butterworth-Heinemann

at·ro·pine

(at'rō-pēn)

Mixture of d- and l- hyoscyamine, alkaloids obtained from the leaves and roots of Atropa belladonna; an anticholinergic, with diverse effects attributable to reversible competitive blockade of acetylcholine at muscarinic type cholinergic receptors.

Medical Dictionary for the Dental Professions © Farlex 2012