Name: Physostigmine (Antilirium)
Class: Anticholinesterase Agent: Carbamate (Tertiary Amine)
Mech.: Substrate for AChE. Competitive inhib. of interaction btwn ACh and AChE.
Absorption:
Dist.: Enters CNS. Acts mostly at autonomic sites. Some neuromusc. action.
Metab.: Slowly hydrolyzed by AChE
Excretion, t½: A few hours.
Toxicity/S.E.s: Toxic doses first stim. then depress autonomic ganglia, neuromusc. jxns, and central sites. Avoid in cases of asthma, coronary insufficiency, peptic ulcers.
Utility: DOC to antag. toxic effects of atropine-like (anticholinergic) drugs.
Special Features: Non-selective. Stim. cholinergic receptors throughout CNS and PNS. Inhib. AChE and BuChE.