Question about acetylcholinesterase and anticholinergics

Register Today!

  1. This is a discussion on Question about acetylcholinesterase and anticholinergics in General Nursing Student, part of Nursing Student ... Are they the same thing? I don't recall learning about acetylcholinesterase inhibitors until...

    by Feb 7, '12
    Are they the same thing? I don't recall learning about acetylcholinesterase inhibitors until starting NCLEX questions. If they are not the same, could someone explain what they are/the difference? Thanks!
    Read Online


    Print and share with friends and family.
    Compliments of allnurses.com.
    http://allnurses.com/showthread.php?t=671767

    by jc2012 Feb 7, '12 7:03 pm
    ©2013 allnurses.com INC. All Rights Reserved.

  2. 2 Comments so far...

  3. Feb 7, '12 by
    Acetylcholinesterase is the enzyme responsible to breaking down acetlycholine. If you inhibit that enzyme you essentially keep acetylcholine in the synapse longer.

    Anticholinergics essentially block the effects of acetylcholine in the CNS and PNS.

    Basically acetlycholinesterase inhibitors increase the ammount of acetlycholine increasing it's effect. Anticholinergics block the effect of acetylcholine.
  4. Feb 8, '12 by
    The good ones (*stigmine) are used to treat myasthenia gravis or gloucoma.

    The bad ones... think organophosphates (nerve gas and pesticide) SLUDGE which you treat with anticholinergics like atropine and pralidoxime.