ANTICHOLINERGIC DRUGS
Blocks the action of Ach on autonomic effectors.

Classification
Natural Alkaloids - Atropine. Hyoscine

Semi-synthetic deriuvatives:- Homatropine, Homatropine methylbromide, Atropine methonitrate.

Synthetic compounds 

(a) Mydriatics - Cyclopentolate. Tropicamide.
(b) Antisecretory - Antispasmodics - Propantha1ine. Oxy-phenonium, Pirenzipine.
c) Antiparkinsonism- Benzotopine, Ethopropazine, Trihexyphenidyl, Procyclidine, Biperiden 
Other drugs with anticholinergic properties • Tricyclic Antidepressants • Phenothiazines • Antihistaminics • Disopyramide

MUSCARINIC RECEPTORS SUBTYPES & ANTAGONISTS 
• M 1 Antagonists – Pirenzepine, Telenzepine, dicyclomine, trihexyphenidyl 
• M 2 Antagonists – Gallamine, methoctramine 
• M 3 Antagonists – Darifenacin, solifenacin, oxybutynin, tolterodine

Pharmacological Actions
CNS - stimulation of medullary centres like vagal. respiratory. vasomotor and inhibition of vestibular excitation and has anti-motion sickness properties.
CVS - tachycardia.
Eye - mydriasis
Smooth muscles - relaxation of the muscles receiving parnsympathetic motor innervation.
Glands - decreased secretion of sweat and salivary glands
Body Temperature - is increased as there is stimulation of  temperature regulating centre.
Respiratory System- Bronchodilatation & decrease in secretions. For COPD or Asthma - antimuscarinic drugs are effective
GIT - Pirenzepine & Telenzepine - decrease gastric secretion with lesser side effects.

Stages of anesthesia

Stage I

Analgesia

Still conscious but drowsy

Stage II

Excitement stage

Loss of consciousness, however, irregular ventilation may be present which affects absorption of inhalation agents.

Reflexes may be exaggerated.

This is a very dangerous stage

Stage III

Surgical anesthesia

Loss of spontaneous movement

Regular, shallow respiration

Relaxation of muscles

Stage IV

Medullary paralysis

Death

Non-barbiturate sedatives

1- Chloral hydrate is trichlorinated derivative of acetaldehyde that is converted to trichlorethanol in the body. It induces sleep in about 30 minutes and last up to 6 hr. it is irritant to GIT and produce unpleasant taste sensation.

2- Ramelteon melatonin receptors are thought to be involved in maintaining circadian rhythms underlying the sleep-wake cycle. Ramelteon is an agonist at MT1 and MT2 melatonin receptors , useful in patients with chronic insomnia with no rebound insomnia and
withdrawal symptoms

3- Ethanol (alcohol) it has antianxiety sedative effects but its toxic potential out ways its benefits.
Ethanol is a CNS depressant producing sedation and hypnosis with increasing dose.

Absorption of alcohol taken orally is rapid, it is highly lipid soluble, presence of food delayed its absorption, maximal blood concentration depend on total dose, sex, strength of the solution, the time over which it is taken, the presence of food and speed of metabolism.

Alcohol in the systemic circulation is oxidized in the liver principally 90% by alcohol dehydrogenase to acetaldehyde and then by acetaldehyde dehydrogenase to products that enter the citric cycle. 

Alcohol metabolism by alcohol dehydrogenase follows first order kinetics in the smallest doses. Once the blood concentration exceeds about 10 mg/100 ml, the enzymatic processes are saturated and elimination rate no longer increases with increasing
concentration but become steady at 10-15 ml/ 1 hr. in occasional drinkers. 

Thus alcohol is subject to dose dependant kinetics i.e. saturation or zero order kinetics.

Actions

- Ethanol acts on CNS in a manner similar to volatile anesthetic.
- It also enhances GABA so stimulating flux of chloride ions through ion channels.
- Other possible mode of action involve inhibition of Ca-channels and inhibition of excitatory NMDA receptors.
- Ethanol has non selective CNS depressant activity.
- It causes cutaneous vasodilatation, tachycardia and myocardial depression

PSEUDOEPHEDRINE

Pseudoephedrine appears to have less pressor activity and weaker central nervous system effects than ephedrine. It has agonist activity at both β1  and β2 adrenoceptors, leading to increased cardiac output and relaxation of bronchial smooth muscle.

Pseudoephedrine is rapidly absorbed throughout the body. It is eliminated largely unchanged in urine by N-demethylation.

It is indicated in symptomatic relief from stuffed nose, respiratory tract congestion, bronchospasm associated with asthma, bronchitis and other similar disorders.

Osmotic diuretics

An osmotic diuretic is a type of diuretic that inhibits reabsorption of water and sodium. They are pharmacologically inert substances that are given intravenously. They increase the osmolarity of blood and renal filtrate.

Mechanism(s) of Action

1.    Reduce tissue fluid (edema) 
2.    Reflex cardiovascular effect by osmotic retention of fluid within vascular space which increases blood volume (contraindicated with Congestive heart failure) 
3.    Diuretic effect

o    Makes H2O reabsorption far more difficult for tubular segments insufficient Na & H2O capacity in distal segments
o    Increased intramedullary blood flow (washout)
o    Incomplete sodium recapture (asc. loop). this is indirect inhibition of Na reabsorption (Na stays in tubule because water stays) 
o    Net diuretic effect: 
    Tubular concentration of sodium decreases 
    Total amount of sodium lost amount increases 
    GFR unchanged or slightly increased

Toxicity

Circulatory overload, dilutional hyponatremia,  Hyperkalemia, edema, skin necrosis

Agents
Mannitol

Ketamine 
- Causes a dissociative anesthesia.
- Is similar to but less potent than phencyclidine.
- Induces amnesia, analgesia, catalepsy and anesthesia, but does not induce convulsions.
- The principal disadvantage of ketamine is its adverse psychic effects during emergence from anesthesia. These include: hallucinations, changes in mood and body image.
- During anesthesia, many of the protective reflexes are maintained, such as laryngeal, pharyngeal, eyelid and corneal reflexes.
- Muscle relaxation is poor.
- It is not indicated for intracranial operations because it increases cerebrospinal fluid pressure.
- Respiration is well maintained.
- Arterial blood pressure, cardiac output, and heart rate are all elevated.