MOA

Question 1

Bethanechol

Answer 1

Activates bowel and bladder smooth muscle;
resistant to AChE, no nicotinic activity.
“Bethany, call (bethanechol) me to activate
your bowels and bladder.”

Question 2

Carbachol

Answer 2

Carbon copy of acetylcholine (but resistant to

AChE).

Question 3

Methacholine

Answer 3

Stimulates muscarinic receptors in airway when

inhaled.

Question 4

Pilocarpine

Answer 4

Contracts ciliary muscle of eye (open-angle
glaucoma), pupillary sphincter (closed-angle
glaucoma); resistant to AChE, can cross blood-
brain barrier (tertiary amine). “You cry, drool,
and sweat on your ‘pilow.’ ”

Question 5

Galantamine,
donepezil,
rivastigmine

Answer 5

INCREASE ACh.

Question 6

Edrophonium

Answer 6

INCREASE ACh.

Question 7

Neostigmine

Answer 7

INCREASE ACh.
Neo CNS = No CNS penetration (quaternary
amine).

Question 8

Physostigmine

Answer 8

INCREASE ACh. Physostigmine “phyxes” atropine

overdose.

Question 9

Pyridostigmine

Answer 9

INCREASE ACh; q muscle strength. Pyridostigmine gets

rid of myasthenia gravis.