Lexic.us

Definition of Atropine

1. Noun. A poisonous crystalline alkaloid extracted from the nightshade family; used as an antispasmodic and to dilate the eye pupil; also administered in large amounts as an antidote for organophosphate nerve agents or organophosphate insecticides.

Definition of Atropine

1. n. A poisonous, white, crystallizable alkaloid, extracted from the Atropa belladonna, or deadly nightshade, and the Datura Stramonium, or thorn apple. It is remarkable for its power in dilating the pupil of the eye. Called also daturine.

Definition of Atropine

1. Noun. (context: poison pharmaceutical drug) An alkaloid extracted from the plant deadly nightshade (''Atropa belladonna'') and other sources. Though overdoses would be fatal it is used as a drug in medicine for its paralytic effects (e.g. in surgery to relax muscles, in dentistry to dry the mouth, in ophthalmology to dilate the pupils). ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Atropine

1. a poisonous alkaloid [n -S]

Medical Definition of Atropine

1. A toxic alkaloid extracted from belladonna and other members of thenightshade family, it is typically used to dilate the eye and to stopmuscular spasms. Pharmacologic action: Parasympatholytic. Competitive blockade of acetylcholine at muscarinic receptors. Increases sinus node automaticity and AV conduction. Uses: Treat bradycardia, asystole, and AV block Dose: 0.5 - 1.0 mg for bradycardia every 3 - 5 min to a total dose of 0.04 mg/kg. Doses smaller than 0.5 mg can cause a paradoxical bradycardia due to sympathomimetic effects Typically 3 mg is adequate to completely block vagal effects Atropine is well absorbed via endotracheal route - administer 1-2 mg diluted in 10 mL sterile water or normal saline. Potential complications: 1. Tachyarrhythmias 2. Exacerbation of myocardial ischemia 3. Low dose may cause paradoxical bradycardia 4. Dry mouth, urinary retention, flushed and hot skin 5. Crosses blood-brain barrier which can cause delirium Note: The denervated heart will not respond to atropine. (15 Mar 2000)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Atropine

Literary usage of Atropine

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. Journal of the American Chemical Society by American Chemical Society (1898)
"IT has been known for a long time that in solutions of atropine salts, as in those of the salts of most other alkaloids, a solution of iodine in potassium ..."

2. The American Journal of the Medical Sciences by Southern Society for Clinical Investigation (U.S.) (1908)
"For these patients, when there is muscular failure, the morphine should be combined with digitalin or digitalin and atropine in order to tone the failing ..."

3. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London by Royal Society (Great Britain) (1870)
"The Physiological Action of atropine, Digitaline, and Aconi- tine on the ... My experiments on atropine have led me to the conclusion that it exerts no ..."

4. A Textbook of pharmacology and therapeutics, or, the Action of drugs in by Arthur Robertson Cushny (1906)
"THE atropine SERIES. The atropine series contains a number of very closely allied alka loids, of which the chief are atropine, ..."

5. The Practitioner by Gale Group, ProQuest Information and Learning Company (1893)
"atropine in Cholera.—Dr. Lauder Brunton, at a meeting of the Royal Medical and Chirurgical Society, read a paper on the value of atropine in cholera. ..."

6. The Cure of Imperfect Sight by Treatment Without Glasses by William Horatio Bates (1920)
"both eyes were treated together for more than a year, and at the end of that time, the right being still under the influence of the atropine, both became ..."

7. The Encyclopaedia Britannica: A Dictionary of Arts, Sciences, Literature and (1910)
"There is much uncertainly as to the influence of atropine on the secretions oí ... Given internally, atropine docs not exert any appreciable sedative action ..."

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