A drug that blocks muscarinic receptors would be classified as which type of agent?

A drug that blocks muscarinic receptors would be classified as which type of agent?

• A. Parasympatholytic
• B. Sympathomimetic
• C. Sympatholytic
• D. Parasympathomimetic

Answer: (A)

Blocking muscarinic receptors stops the parasympathetic actions of acetylcholine at its target organs, reducing rest-and-digest effects and leaving sympathetic activity relatively unopposed. This describes a parasympatholytic agent, which specifically dampens parasympathetic signaling. If a drug enhanced parasympathetic activity, it would be parasympathomimetic; if it stimulated sympathetic effects, it would be sympathomimetic; and if it blocked sympathetic signaling, it would be sympatholytic.

Blocking muscarinic receptors stops the parasympathetic actions of acetylcholine at its target organs, reducing rest-and-digest effects and leaving sympathetic activity relatively unopposed. This describes a parasympatholytic agent, which specifically dampens parasympathetic signaling.

If a drug enhanced parasympathetic activity, it would be parasympathomimetic; if it stimulated sympathetic effects, it would be sympathomimetic; and if it blocked sympathetic signaling, it would be sympatholytic.