###### Created: 2024-06-14 13:14 ###### Areas & Topics: #medicine #pharmacology ###### Note Type: #permanent ###### Connected to: [[Peri-Arrest Rhythms]] ### Mechanism of Action - Atropine is an antimuscarinic. - It works as a competitive antagonist of postganglionic acetylcholine receptor ### Indications - The main indications for atropine are bradycardia (see [[Peri-Arrest Rhythms]]) and organophosphate poisoning. - Organophosphates inactive acetylcholinesterase (AChe), an enzyme which breaks down acetylcholine. - Atropine can be given to patients with organophosphate poisoning to compete with the increased amount of Acetylcholine at receptors to improve a patient's condition acutely, before receiving further treatment. ### Resources McLendon K, Preuss CV. Atropine. [Updated 2023 Jun 23]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470551/ Robb EL, Regina AC, Baker MB. Organophosphate Toxicity. [Updated 2023 Nov 12]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470430/