A nicotinic antagonist is a type of anticholinergic drug that inhibits the action of acetylcholine (ACh) at nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. These compounds are mainly used for peripheral muscle paralysis in surgery, the classical agent of this type being tubocurarine, but some centrally acting compounds such as bupropion, mecamylamine, and 18-methoxycoronaridine block nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the brain and have been proposed for treating drug addiction.
| Mechanism | Antagonist | Preferred receptor | Clinical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ganglionic blocking agents | Hexamethonium | Ganglion type | none |
| Mecamylamine | Ganglion type | ||
| Trimethaphan | Ganglion type | Rarely used for blood pressure decrease during surgery | |
| Nondepolarizing neuromuscular blocking agents | Atracurium | Muscle type | muscle relaxant in anaesthesia |
| Doxacurium | Muscle type | ||
| Mivacurium | Muscle type | ||
| Pancuronium | Muscle type | muscle relaxant in anaesthesia | |
| Tubocurarine | Muscle type | Rarely used | |
| Vecuronium | Muscle type | muscle relaxant in anaesthesia | |
| Depolarizing neuromuscular blocking agents | Succinylcholine | Muscle type | |
| Centrally acting nicotinic antagonists | 18-Methoxycoronaridine | α3β4 |
Related Phrases
Related Words