Alkaloids, belladonna

Alkaloids range from the belladonna alkaloids, such as atropine and scopalomine—which are used as poisons, cold remedies, and truth serums —to dextromethorphan, a cough suppressant (anti-tussive). But the most widely known alkaloids are the opiates, such as morphine, heroin, fentanyl, oxycodone, and methadone. These act on... 

Atropine and its ether analog scopolamine (hyoscine) are potent alkaloids that are found as active compounds in a large number of plants around the world (belladonna alkaloids). The deadly nightshades ( European bittersweet, Solanum dulcamara or belladonna, belladonna) were used in the Mid-... 

Class I recalls are those that have been judged to present a serious threat to the health of the consumer. Examples of this type of recall include brewers yeast tablets (product contaminated with Salmonella), defective pacemakers (electronically unsafe), and numerous cases of mislabeling of drug substances, such as the belladonna alkaloids [20]. 

Belladonna alkaloids have an extremely broad pharmacological spectrum. In addition to their ability to block M-receptors, atropine and scopolamine also act on other receptors, thus showing corresponding effects. They can only block nicotinic cholinergic receptors, however, in significantly larger doses than those used in clinics. Atropine also exhibits properties of local anesthetics and histamine (Hj) receptor blockers. Atropine and... 

Adults 50 to 100 mg. Hydroxyzine may potentiate concomitant narcotics and barbiturates reduce dosages accordingly. Atropine and other belladonna alkaloids may be given as appropriate. 

Adults - For preoperative use, 50 mg administered with an appropriately reduced dose of narcotic or barbiturate and the required amount of a belladonna alkaloid. For postoperative use, 25 to 50 mg doses in adults. 

Hypersensitivity to scopolamine, other belladonna alkaloids, or any component of the product angle-closure (narrow-angle) glaucoma. 

Belladonna alkaloids - Belladonna alkaloids are rapidly absorbed after oral use. They readily cross the blood-brain barrier and affect the CNS. 

Quaternary anticholinergics - Synthetic or semisynthetic derivatives structurally related to the belladonna alkaloids, they are poorly and unreliably absorbed orally. Because they do not cross the blood-brain barrier, CNS effects are negligible. Duration of action is more prolonged than alkaloids. 

Belladonna acts in the same way as atropine it is available as a tincture and in certain polycomponent preparations used for their biliary and intestinal antispasmodic action. Belladonna alkaloids show rapid absorption from the gastrointestinal tract. 

The best known of the muscarinic blocking drugs are the belladonna alkaloids, atropine (Atropine) and scopolamine (Scopolamine). They are tertiary amines that contain an ester linkage. Atropine is a racemic mixture of DL-hyoscyamine, of which only the levorotatory isomer is pharmacologically active. Atropine and scopolamine are parent compounds for several semisynthetic derivatives, and some synthetic compounds with little structural similarity to the belladonna alkaloids are also in use. All of the antimuscarinic compounds are amino alcohol esters with a tertiary amine or quaternary ammonium group. 

The quaternary ammonium derivatives of the belladonna alkaloids, as well as the synthetic quaternary ammonium compounds, are incompletely absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. Consequently, greater amounts of these compounds are eliminated in the feces following oral administration. The blood-brain barrier prevents quaternary ammonium muscarinic blockers from gaining significant access to the CNS. 

Antimuscarinic poisoning can result from the intake of excessive doses of belladonna alkaloids, synthetic antimuscarinic drugs, and drugs from other pharmacological groups that have significant antimuscarinic activity (Table 13.2). 

Belladonna alkaloids and related drngs Atropine Scopolamine... 

Belladonna alkaloid-containing plants Deadly nightshade Angel s trumpet Jimsonweed... 

Before the introduction of levodopa, the belladonna alkaloids (e.g., atropine and scopolamine) were the... 

Brand Name(s) AtroPen Autoinjector, Atropine Care, Atropisol, Atrosulf-1, Isopto Atropine, Ocu-Tropine, Sal-Tropine Cfiemical Class Belladonna alkaloid... 

Geriatric Considerations - Summary Alkaloids from the belladonna plant contain 3 potent anticholinergics and offer no advantage over other available drugs. Belladonna alkaloids possess potent anticholinergic effects and can cause dry mouth, blurred vision, delirium, confusion, psychosis, and increased risk of falls. This compound has no role in treating the older adult. 

Brand Name(s) B O Supprettes 15A, B 0 Supprettes 16A Chemical Class Belladonna alkaloid opiate... 

Rx with caffeine (Cafergot, Ercaf, Wigraine) with belladonna alkaloids, phenobar-bital (Bellergal-S), DHE45, Ergomar, Migranal Chemical Class Ergot alkaloid... 

All the belladonna alkaloids are well absorbed from the GIT, from the site of injection and the mucous membrane. They are distributed throughout the body and cross the blood-brain barrier. About 50% of the atropine is metabolized in liver and remaining portion is excreted unchanged in urine. Atropine cross the placental barrier and is secreted in milk and saliva. 

Gastrointestinal colic (as antispas-modic) Belladonna alkaloids relax the spasm of smooth muscles of intestinal, urinary and biliary tract. They are also effective in functional and drug induced diarrhoea, to relieve urinary urgency and frequency and enuresis in children. They are also used to reduce gastric secretion in peptic ulcer patients. Also, used to reduce the excessive sweating in tuberculosis and sweating and salivation in parkinsonian patients. 

FIGURE 14.1 Belladonna (Atropa belladonna), from which atropine and the belladonna alkaloids are obtained. 

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