Anticholinergics

Medication class detail with safety cues and nursing action focus.

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Anticholinergics

Examples: atropine, benztropine, oxybutynin, ipratropium

Mechanism

Blocks parasympathetic activity, so secretions dry up, heart rate can rise, and smooth muscle spasms decrease.

Used for

  • Bradycardia
  • Parkinson symptoms or EPS
  • Overactive bladder
  • Bronchodilation support

Side effects

  • Dry mouth
  • Blurred vision
  • Urinary retention
  • Constipation
  • Tachycardia
  • Confusion, especially in older adults

Nursing actions

  • Assess urinary retention, bowel pattern, heart rate, and mental status.
  • Teach safety with heat exposure because sweating can decrease.
  • Use caution with glaucoma and BPH history.

Hold / question cues

  • Narrow-angle glaucoma
  • Urinary retention
  • Severe tachycardia
  • New confusion after dosing

Antidote / reversal

  • physostigmine may be used for severe toxicity in selected settings

NCLEX pearl

  • Dry and fast: cannot see, cannot pee, cannot spit, cannot poop.