Anticholinergic medicines
Anticholinergic medicines are a group of medicines used to relieve cramps, reduce uncontrollable movements, prevent bladder spasms, relax the lung airways, and dry the nose and chest. Anticholinergics are used to treat stomach cramps, Parkinson's disease, colds, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), urinary incontinence, and muscle spasms from cerebral palsy.
Anticholinergics relax and enlarge (dilate) the airways in the lungs, making breathing easier (bronchodilators). They may protect the airways from spasms that can suddenly cause the airway to become narrower (bronchospasm). They also may reduce the amount of mucus produced by the airways.
| Author | Jeannette Curtis |
| Author | Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS |
| Editor | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS |
| Editor | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA |
| Associate Editor | Tracy Landauer |
| Associate Editor | Pat Truman |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Patrice Burgess, MD - Family Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
| Last Updated | May 25, 2007 |
WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise
Last Updated:
May 25, 2007
This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor.
Healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this
information.
@ 1995-2007, Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.