Anticholinergic Syndrome
A toxic state caused by excessive blockade of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors, characterised by tachycardia, dry mouth, urinary retention, confusion, and hyperthermia.
Full Definition
Anticholinergic syndrome arises from intentional or accidental overdose of drugs that antagonise muscarinic receptors, including atropine and scopolamine used perioperatively in dental anesthesia. Central manifestations include agitation, hallucinations, and seizures, while peripheral signs follow the mnemonic 'hot as a hare, dry as a bone, red as a beet, blind as a bat, mad as a hatter.' In the dental anesthesia context, editors may encounter this term in adverse event reports, pharmacological reviews, or regulatory submissions. It must not be confused with cholinergic toxicity, which presents with opposite features.
Usage
Usage note: Clearly distinguish from 'cholinergic syndrome' in editing; the two are pharmacological opposites and are commonly confused by non-specialist writers.
In Context
- "The post-operative confusion and flushed skin prompted evaluation for anticholinergic syndrome following scopolamine administration." — Adverse event report
- "Editors reviewing pharmacology sections should verify that anticholinergic syndrome is not conflated with cholinergic crisis, which has an opposite clinical presentation." — Editorial style note for clinical pharmacology manuscripts