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An anticholinergic agent is a substance that blocks the neurotransmitter acetylcholine in the central and the peripheral nervous system. Anticholinergics inhibit parasympathetic nerve impulses by selectively blocking the binding of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine to its receptor in nerve cells. The nerve fibers of the parasympathetic system are responsible for the involuntary movement of smooth muscles present in the gastrointestinal tract, urinary tract, lungs, etc. Anticholinergics are divided into three categories in accordance with their specific targets in the central and/or peripheral nervous system: antimuscarinic agents, ganglionic blockers, and neuromuscular blockers. ==Medical uses== Anticholinergic drugs are used to treat a variety of conditions: * Gastrointestinal disorders (e.g., gastritis, diarrhea, pylorospasm, diverticulitis, ulcerative colitis, nausea, and vomiting) * Genitourinary disorders (e.g., cystitis, urethritis, and prostatitis) * Respiratory disorders (e.g., asthma, chronic bronchitis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ()) * Sinus bradycardia due to a hypersensitive vagus nerve. * Insomnia, although usually only on a short-term basis. * Dizziness (including vertigo ('the spins' ) and motion sickness-related symptoms) Anticholinergics generally have ''antisialagogue'' effects (decreasing saliva production), and most produce some level of sedation, both being advantageous in surgical procedures.〔Page 592 in: 〕 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Anticholinergic」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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