Anticholinesterase

Anticholinesterase is a type of medication that is used to treat certain medical conditions by inhibiting the action of the enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE). This enzyme is responsible for breaking down the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which plays a key role in the transmission of nerve signals in the body. By inhibiting the action of AChE, anticholinesterase medications increase the amount of acetylcholine in the body, which in turn can help improve the efficiency of nerve signal transmission. Anticholinesterase medications are typically used to treat conditions such as myasthenia gravis and glaucoma, as well as some types of poisoning. These medications can also be used in anesthesia to reduce the amount of time a patient needs to be intubated. Side effects of anticholinesterase medications can include increased saliva production, increased heart rate, blurred vision, and muscle weakness.