Cholinesterase inhibitors

What are Cholinesterase inhibitors?

Cholinesterase inhibitors (also called acetylcholinesterase inhibitors) are a group of medicines that block the normal breakdown of acetylcholine. Acetylcholine is the main neurotransmitter found in the body and has functions in both the peripheral nervous system and the central nervous system. For example, acetylcholine is released by motor neurons to activate muscles; acetylcholine also has an important role in arousal, attention, learning, memory and motivation.

Cholinesterase inhibitors block the action of the enzyme cholinesterase, which is responsible for breaking down acetylcholine. This increases levels of acetylcholine in the synaptic cleft (the space between two nerve endings).

The main use of cholinesterase inhibitors is for the treatment of dementia in patients with Alzheimer's disease. People with Alzheimer's disease have reduced levels of acetylcholine in the brain. Cholinesterase inhibitors have been shown to have a modest effect on dementia symptoms such as cognition.

Cholinesterase inhibitors tend to cause side effects such as vasodilation, constriction of the pupils in the eyes, increased secretion of sweat, saliva and tears, slow heart rate, mucus secretion in the respiratory tract and constriction of the airways.

List drug with Cholinesterase inhibitors

Drug Name
Adlarity
Generic name: Donepezil
Aricept
Generic name: Donepezil (oral)
Aricept ODT
Generic name: Donepezil (oral)
Donepezil
Generic name: Donepezil (oral)
Donepezil (Oral)
Generic name: Donepezil
Donepezil (Transdermal)
Generic name: Donepezil
Donepezil and memantine
Generic name: Donepezil And Memantine
Exelon
Generic name: Rivastigmine (oral)
Exelon (Rivastigmine Oral)
Generic name: Rivastigmine
Exelon (Rivastigmine Transdermal)
Generic name: Rivastigmine
Galantamine
Generic name: Galantamine
Memantine and donepezil
Generic name: Memantine And Donepezil
Namzaric
Generic name: Donepezil And Memantine
Namzaric Titration Pack
Generic name: Memantine And Donepezil
Razadyne
Generic name: Galantamine
Razadyne ER
Generic name: Galantamine
Razadyne IR
Generic name: Galantamine
Rivastigmine
Generic name: Rivastigmine (oral)
Rivastigmine (Oral)
Generic name: Rivastigmine
Rivastigmine transdermal
Generic name: Rivastigmine Transdermal
Tacrine
Generic name: Tacrine (tak-reen)

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