Question

Short Answer / Follow-up

A passer-by notices that Geoffrey is in distress and calls 000. When the paramedics arrive, as part of their treatment they administer atropine (2 mg IV) repeated every 5 minutes for 20 minutes.

Question: b). Briefly discuss the mechanism of action of atropine and identify why repeated dosing is required for a 20 minute duration. (Maximum 100 words)

**Needed detail answer please. Thank you so much!!!

Answer 1

Atropine is an anticholinergic drug( antiparasympathetic), that inhibits the muscarinic effect of acetylcholine on structures that have the postganglionic cholinergic nerve. It acts as a competitive inhibitor and replaces acetylcholine interaction with its receptor. It is often used to treat bradycardia, a condition where the heart rate is lower than the normal. Atropine is given in repeated doses, so that it can competitively inhibit the acetylcholine and overcome its binding to its receptor and enhance the binding of atropine so that acetylcholine cannot confer its effect in the neuronal signaling at that moment, and atropine can exert its effect for overcoming the problem.