Cholinergic drugs - 01 | Parasympathomimetics classification and mechanism of action - Pharmacology
This video is all about Cholinomimetics also known as Cholinergic agonists, Parasympathomimetics, parasympathetic agonists, cholinergic receptor agonists. these are the agents which mimic or produce action like that of parasympathetic nervous system stimulation and that's why called parasympathomimetics. they are named cholinomimetics, as these agents show action like that of acetylcholine. acetylcholine is an acetylated choline molecule that normally functions as a neurotransmitter in our body.
cholinergic drugs are classified as direct-acting drugs and indirect-acting drugs. direct-acting drugs or agonists bind directly to cholinergic receptors such as muscarinic receptors and nicotinic receptors, show their actions. while the indirect-acting agonists bind to and inhibit the action of the acetylcholinesterase enzyme. acetylcholinesterase is an enzyme present in the synaptic cleft that metabolizes acetylcholine and terminates its action. by inhibiting this enzyme the acetylcholine concentration rises in the synaptic cleft and thus activates all cholinoceptors that is muscarinic receptors and nicotinic cholinoceptors.
