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scopolamine |
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scopolamine (skōpŏl`əmēn, –mĭn) or hyoscine (hī`əsēn', –sĭn), alkaloid drug obtained from plants of the nightshade family (Solanaceae), chiefly from henbane henbane or black henbane, herb (Hyoscyamus niger) native to the Mediterranean region and naturalized in parts of North America. It belongs to the family Solanaceae ( nightshade family) and contains a narcotic poison (similar to that of ..... Click the link for more information. , Hyoscyamus niger. Structurally similar to the nerve substance acetylcholine acetylcholine (əsēt'əlkō`lēn), a small organic molecule liberated at nerve endings as a neurotransmitter . ..... Click the link for more information. , scopolamine acts by interfering with the transmission of nerve impulses by acetylcholine in the parasympathetic nervous system nervous system, network of specialized tissue that controls actions and reactions of the body and its adjustment to the environment. Virtually all members of the animal kingdom have at least a rudimentary nervous system. ..... Click the link for more information. and produces symptoms typical of parasympathetic system depression: dilated pupils, rapid heartbeat, and dry skin, mouth, and respiratory passages. Because scopolamine depresses the central nervous system, it is used as a sedative sedative, any of a variety of drugs that relieve anxiety. Most sedatives act as mild depressants of the nervous system, lessening general nervous activity or reducing the irritability or activity of a specific organ. ..... Click the link for more information. prior to anesthesia and as an antispasmodic in certain disorders characterized by restlessness and agitation, e.g., delirium tremens, psychosis, mania, and Parkinsonism. When combined with morphine morphine, principal derivative of opium , which is the juice in the unripe seed pods of the opium poppy , Papaver somniferum. It was first isolated from opium in 1803 by the German pharmacist F. W. A. ..... Click the link for more information. , the effect produced is a tranquilized state known as twilight sleep; this combination of drugs was formerly used in obstetrics but is now considered too dangerous. Overdosage of scopolamine causes delirium, delusions, paralysis, and stupor. The alkaloid is found in a variety of nonprescription sedatives. scopolamine [skə′päl·ə‚mēn] (pharmacology) C17H21O4N An alkaloid derivative of several plants in the family Solanaceae, used as an anticholinergic drug; its hydrobromide salt is used as a sedative. How to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit webmaster's page for free fun content. |
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Personal experience suggests that tolerance may be improved by administering a scopolamine patch, providing both antiemetic and sedative effects. In the national spelling competition, 14-year-old Placerita Junior High School student David Pruden successfully spelled more than two dozen brain twisters, including: culottes, derogatory, precedent, immolate, basmati, lycanthropy, succussatory, nullipara, scopolamine, Erewhonian, Pierian, perciatelli, Capharnaum, oeillade, sprachgefuhl, madid and balneation. Standard obstetrical practice in 1971, when Gilmore had her first child, was to give laboring women a hallucinogenic drug, scopolamine, to make them forget the pain, in combination with the tranquilizer meperidine (aka Demerol). |
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