Atropine is classified as a muscarinic anticholinergic parasympatholytic. Atropine comes from a plant called Atropa Belladonna and is one of several drugs classified as a belladonna alkaloids. It selectively blocks muscarinic receptors that inhibit parasympathetic stimulation and it can be absorbed by both enteral and parenteral routes. It is a medication that is distributed in most body tissues. Atropine is a drug that is metabolized in the liver and is normally eliminated in urine in 24 hrs. Atropine has effects at different dose levels in which causes different reactions. When administered at a low dose, atropine decreases secretions from salivary and bronchial glands. It increases heart rate and causes dilated pupils (mydriasis) as well
…show more content…
Like every drug, atropine has side effects. Common side effects that atropine causes are dry mouth, blurred vison, urinary retention, tachycardia, constipation, hyper/hypotension, convulsions, fatigue, headaches and increased intraocular pressure. For emergency uses, the doses needed to treat an adult patient with symptomatic bradycardia would be 0.5-1.0 mg IV, 2 mg ET. It may be repeated every 3-5 mins up to 3.0 mg. The dosage needed to treat or restore cardiac function in bradyasystolic cardiac arrest in an adult patient would be 1 mg IV, 2 mg ET and may be repeated every 3-5 mins up to 3.0 mg. As mentioned earlier, Atropine is indicated when the need for an antidote for organophosphate poisoning. The dosage needed for an adult patient would be 2-5 mg IV/IM every 10-15 mins. Although atropine has no contraindications in an emergency setting, caution must be considered with patients who present signs and symptoms of acute myocardial ischemia or infarction. Another reason caution should be considered, is with patients with glaucoma because it raises intraocular
Like every drug, atropine has side effects. Common side effects that atropine causes are dry mouth, blurred vison, urinary retention, tachycardia, constipation, hyper/hypotension, convulsions, fatigue, headaches and increased intraocular pressure. For emergency uses, the doses needed to treat an adult patient with symptomatic bradycardia would be 0.5-1.0 mg IV, 2 mg ET. It may be repeated every 3-5 mins up to 3.0 mg. The dosage needed to treat or restore cardiac function in bradyasystolic cardiac arrest in an adult patient would be 1 mg IV, 2 mg ET and may be repeated every 3-5 mins up to 3.0 mg. As mentioned earlier, Atropine is indicated when the need for an antidote for organophosphate poisoning. The dosage needed for an adult patient would be 2-5 mg IV/IM every 10-15 mins. Although atropine has no contraindications in an emergency setting, caution must be considered with patients who present signs and symptoms of acute myocardial ischemia or infarction. Another reason caution should be considered, is with patients with glaucoma because it raises intraocular