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Carbachol


Mechanism of action:

Carbachol is a cholinergic agonist that can stimulate both muscarinic and nicotinic receptors. Carbachol is an analog of acetylcholine, but it is not easily broken down by acetylcholinesterase and therefore has a longer duration of action. When carbachol activates muscarinic acetylcholine receptors, it causes smooth muscle contraction in the gastrointestinal tract and bladder, constriction of the pupillary sphincter in the eye, and increased glandular secretion such as from the salivary and lacrimal glands. When it activates nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, it produces excitatory responses in autonomic ganglia.

Reference(s):

1. Rosenberry TL et al. (2008). Analysis of the reaction of carbachol with acetylcholinesterase using thioflavin T as a coupled fluorescence reporter. Biochemistry. 


2. Schulz M et al. (2006). Case report: acute unintentional carbachol intoxication. Crit Care.

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