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Cevimeline


Mechanism of action:

Cevimeline is a selective muscarinic acetylcholine receptor agonist that mainly acts on M₁ and M₃ receptors. Cevimeline activates M₁ receptors in the nervous system, enhancing parasympathetic ganglionic acetylcholine responses and stimulating glandular secretion and smooth muscle contraction. At M₃ receptors in exocrine glands such as the salivary and lacrimal glands, it stimulates the secretion of saliva and tears.

Reference(s):

1. Li X et al. (2008). Degradation of submandibular gland AQP5 by parasympathetic denervation of chorda tympani and its recovery by cevimeline, an M3 muscarinic receptor agonist. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol. 


2. Fisher A et al. (1996). M1 agonists for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease: Novel properties and clinical update. Ann N Y Acad Sci.

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