Applications of nicotinic antagonists

Nicotinic receptors are present in nerve synapses at ganglia, as well as at the neu muscular synapse. However, drugs are able to show a level of selectivity betwe these two sites, mainly because of the distinctive routes which have to be taken reach them. 

Antagonists of ganglionic nicotinic receptor sites are not therapeutically useful since they cannot distinguish between the ganglia of the sympathetic nervous system and the ganglia of the parasympathetic nervous system (both use nicotinic receptors). Consequently, they have many side-effects. 

However, antagonists of the neuromuscular junction are therapeutically useful and are known as neuromuscular blocking agents. 

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