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  • Word comparison: cholinergic vs. anticholinergic

cholinergic vs. anticholinergic

cholinergic vs. anticholinergic: 's the difference?

Cholinergic and anticholinergic refer to types of substances that have opposing effects. A cholinergic substance resembles acetylcholine in action, transmitting nerve impulses across synapses and causing muscle action. An anticholinergic substance interferes with acetylcholine, interfering with parasympathetic nerve impulses and inhibiting muscle action.

cholinergic

adjective

Biochemistry.
  1. resembling acetylcholine in pharmacological action.
  2. stimulated by or releasing acetylcholine or a related compound.

anticholinergic

adjective

  1. of or relating to a substance that opposes the effects of acetylcholine; interfering with the passage of parasympathetic nerve impulses. Compare cholinolytic.

noun

  1. an anticholinergic substance, as a drug.