Disease Information for Anticholinergics (Belladonna/Atropine) toxidrome: Definition

Belladonna, nightshade, jimson weed, solanaceous alkaloids, atropine, anticholinergics and tricyclic antidepressants and many anti-parkinsonism and alzheimers drugs effect;dry

as a bone, red as a beet, blind as a bat, hot as hades, mad as a hatter; can be lethal by way of hyperthermia uncontrolled;---------------------Anticholinergic drugs;

Anticholinergics are more helpful in alleviating tremor and rigidity than bradykinesia; Treatment is started with a small dose and gradually increased until benefit occurs or side effects limit further increments; If treatment is ineffective, the drug is gradually withdrawn and another preparation then tried (Parkinson"s Disease); Common side effects include dryness of the mouth, nausea, constipation, palpitations, cardiac arrhythmias, urinary retention, confusion, agitation, restlessness, drowsiness, mydriasis, increased intraocular pressure, and defective accommodation;

Anticholinergic drugs are contraindicated in patients with prostatic hyperplasia, narrow-angle glaucoma, or obstructive gastrointestinal disease and are often tolerated poorly by the elderly-----------[current dxrx 2005 accessmedicine]---------------

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