Parasympatholytic

{{Short description|Inhibits actions of parasympathetic nervous system}}

{{About|drugs inhibiting parasympathetic system|drugs stimulating parasympathetic system|parasympathomimetic drug}}

A parasympatholytic agent is a substance or activity that reduces the activity of the parasympathetic nervous system.{{cite web |url=http://www.mercksource.com/pp/us/cns/cns_hl_dorlands_split.jsp?pg=/ppdocs/us/common/dorlands/dorland/six/000078651.htm |title=Dorlands Medical Dictionary:parasympatholytic |accessdate= }}{{Dead link|date=April 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}{{cite book | last=Wilhelm | first=Helmut | title=Handbook of Clinical Neurology | chapter=Disorders of the pupil | publisher=Elsevier | year=2011 | volume=102 | issn=0072-9752 | doi=10.1016/b978-0-444-52903-9.00022-4 | pages=427–466 | pmid=21601076 | isbn=9780444529039 | quote=Drugs that stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system are called parasympathomimetics or cholinergics. Drugs that inhibit the parasympathetic system are called parasympatholytics or anticholinergics. Drugs that stimulate the sympathetic nervous system are called sympathomimetics or adrenergics. Drugs that inhibit the sympathetic system are called sympatholytics or antiadrenergics. }}

The term parasympatholytic typically refers to the effect of a drug, although some poisons act to block the parasympathetic nervous system as well. Most drugs with parasympatholytic properties are anticholinergics.

Parasympatholytic agents and sympathomimetic agents have similar effects to each other, although some differences between the two groups can be observed. For example, both cause mydriasis, but parasympatholytics reduce accommodation (cycloplegia), whereas sympathomimetics do not.

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