Which muscarinic antagonist can be administered to counteract Pilocarpine poisoning?

Study for the Pharmacology Cholinergic Agents Test. Test your knowledge with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question provides hints and detailed explanations. Master your exam preparation today!

Atropine is the correct choice for counteracting pilocarpine poisoning due to its properties as a muscarinic antagonist. Pilocarpine is a cholinergic agonist that stimulates muscarinic receptors, leading to excessive salivation, lacrimation, urination, diarrhea, gastrointestinal distress, and increased bronchial secretions. By blocking the action of acetylcholine at the muscarinic receptors, atropine can reverse these cholinergic effects, alleviating the symptoms caused by pilocarpine exposure.

Atropine is particularly effective because it has a rapid onset of action and a longer duration of effect compared to other muscarinic antagonists. Its clinical use in emergencies, such as in cases of poisoning or overdose where cholinergic effects are prominent, is well-documented.

The other choices, while also muscarinic antagonists, do not hold the same prominence or efficacy in treating pilocarpine toxicity. Scopolamine is primarily used for motion sickness and nausea rather than acute toxicity scenarios. Ipratropium is a short-acting muscarinic antagonist used mainly in respiratory conditions and may not provide adequate reversal of pilocarpine's effects. Benztropine is used primarily for Parkinson

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