What are two examples of anticholinergic drugs?

• A. Propofol and ketamine
• B. Atropine and glycopyrrolate
• C. Cyclosporine and mycophenolate
• D. Dexdomitor and antisedan

Answer: (B)

Anticholinergic drugs work by blocking acetylcholine at muscarinic receptors, which reduces parasympathetic effects on the heart, glands, and smooth muscle. That action makes these drugs useful for decreasing salivation and bronchial secretions and for preventing bradycardia during anesthesia. Two classic veterinary examples are atropine and glycopyrrolate. Atropine acts quickly and can cause central nervous system effects because it crosses the blood-brain barrier, while glycopyrrolate stays mainly peripherally, has fewer CNS effects, and lasts longer. The other listed drugs don’t block muscarinic receptors: propofol and ketamine are anesthetics with different targets; cyclosporine and mycophenolate are immunosuppressants; dexdomitor is an alpha-2 agonist used for sedation; antisedan reverses an alpha-2 agonist.