Atropine gastrointestinal effects

Tertiary amines used for their antispasmodic properties are dicyclomine hydrochloride (Ben-tyl, others), oxyphencyclimine hydrochloride (daricon), flavoxate hydrochloride (Uripas), and oxyburynin chloride (Ditropan). The latter two are indicated specifically for urological disorders. These agents appear to exert some nonspecific direct relaxant effect on smooth muscle. In therapeutic doses they decrease spasm of the gastrointestinal tract, biliary tract, ureter, and uterus characteristic atropine-like effects on the salivary glands and the eye also are seen with oxybutynin. 

There have been no pharmacological studies of atropine in horses, despite its widespread use since the 1960s. The dose rates used in horses have been extrapolated from human medicine (Table 12.3). In the horse, the gastrointestinal effects of atropine last for up to 12h (Ducharme Fubini 1983). Following i.v. administration, there may be a transitory decrease in heart rate. Atropine is a tertiary amine and crosses the blood-brain barrier. It can produce CNS side-effects (e.g. excitement, sedation). 

The nurse should teach the client how to minimize the side effects of the medication. Taking the medication with milk or crackers will reduce the gastrointestinal effects. The HCP can prescribe small doses of atropine to connteract the side effects if this snggestion is not snccessful, but the client must take the medication. 

Despite the gastrointestinal absorption characteristics discussed above, it is common for absorption from the alimentary tract to be facilitated by dilution of the toxicant. Borowitz et al. (1971) have suggested that the concentration effects they observed in atropine sulfate, aminopyrine, sodium salicylate, and sodium pentopar-bital were due to a combination of rapid stomach emptying and the large surface area for absorption of the drugs. 

Atropine and scopolamine have antispasmodic effects on the gastrointestinal tract. It partly inhibits vagal influence in the gut, reducing motility. However, the enteric nervous system also employs serotonin and dopamine, so parasympathetic innervation plays a modulatory role. 

All smooth muscle activity which is physiologically under a strong parasympathetic influence is effectively inhibited by atropine, for example in the gastrointestinal, genitourinary and respiratory tract. Parasympatholytics are very useful drugs in the treatment of spastic conditions (colic) in these regions. 

Metoclopramide Anticholinergic drugs such as atropine, benzhexol, propantheline, narcotic analgesics Antagonism - they have opposing effects on gastrointestinal activity. 

If atropine is administered in large amounts, it can cause a number of systemic effects, for example relaxing muscular spasm in the gastrointestinal tract, gall bladder, urinary bladder and ureter. It has been used to reverse bradycardia and dry the secretions of bronchial and oral mucosa prior to surgery. 

This group of compounds has both peripheral and central properties. It is known from ancient literature that atropine has psychotomimetic effects (extracts from Atropa belladona were used to induce hallucinations in wizards ). Central effects increase when the compounds are considered in the following rank atropine, scopolamine, benactyzine, Ditrane, and, finally, BZ and other esters of glycolic acid (Albanus, 1970). BZ was originally studied for the therapy of gastrointestinal diseases. But even in small doses it produces side effects, such as confusion and hallucinations. Therefore, BZ was withdrawn from commercial studies and turned over to the US Army as a possible candidate for incapacitating... 

---