Of course you already know that the human brain is one of the important organs that is quite complicated and complex. There are many small parts in the brain that are very useful and important for the body. For example, the lobes, tissues, neurotransmitters, cells, synapses, axons, and other parts. Please note, the most complicated and most widely used part of the brain is acetylcholine.
You need to know that Acetylcholine is one of the most commonly known types of neurotransmitters or nerve impulse transmitters. This neurotransmitter compound can be found in the nervous system. For this reason, this article will discuss further about nerve impulse transmitter chemicals or commonly called acetylcholine....
What is Acetylcholine?
Acetylcholine is a drug used in several eye surgery procedures, such as cataract surgery. The body also produces acetylcholine naturally. This substance is a neurotransmitter, a chemical compound that carries signals that help stimulate muscles to contract.
To help eye surgery procedures, acetylcholine will cause contractions of the iris muscle, causing miosis. This drug also has the effect of widening blood vessels (vasodilation) and reducing pressure in the eyeball (intraocular).
Simply, Acetylcholine is one of the neurotransmitters that plays a major role in the function of the autonomic nervous system. The autonomic nervous system is an involuntary system that functions to control the needs and activities of the body daily without the influence of our consciousness. This system mainly plays a role in visceral motor nerve cells that innervate smooth muscles of internal organs, heart muscle and exocrine glands.
In the central nervous system acetylcholine is believed to be involved in learning, memory, and mood. Acetylcholine is synthesized from choline and acetyl coenzyme A through the action of the enzyme choline acetyltransferase and becomes packaged into membrane-bound vesicles.
The autonomic nervous system consists of the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems. The sympathetic nervous system is also called the adrenergic nervous system because when stimulated its nerve endings will release adrenaline, while the parasympathetic nervous system is called the cholinergic nervous system because when stimulated its nerve endings will release acetylcholine. The parasympathetic nervous system is the part of the autonomic nervous system centered in the brain stem and spinal cord that has two receptors for muscarinic receptors and nicotinic receptors.
Acetylcholine is included in the parasympathomimetic group, so it produces several effects such as vasodilation or widening of blood vessels and constriction of the pupil or miosis, decreased pressure in the eyeball, and decreased heart work.
Acetylcholine is a liquid drug that is usually dissolved with mannitol, to be injected into the anterior chamber of the eye before eye surgery and other procedures. It is important for you to remember that this drug is only obtained through a doctor's prescription.
Warnings before Using Acetylcholine
Before using this drug, you need to pay attention to the following:
- Do not use acetylcholine if you are allergic to this drug. Tell your doctor about any history of allergies you have.
- Tell your doctor if you are or have ever had asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart disease, epilepsy, low blood pressure, hyperthyroidism, urinary tract obstruction, Parkinson's disease, or stomach ulcers.
- Inform your doctor if you are taking certain medications, supplements, or herbal products. The goal is to avoid the risk of drug interactions.
- Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding.
- Seek immediate medical attention if you experience an allergic reaction to the drug or overdose after using acetylcholine.
Dosage and Rules for Use of Acetylcholine
Acetylcholine will be injected by a doctor or medical staff under the supervision of a doctor. The general dosage for 1% acetylcholine is 0.5–2 ml, which is injected into the anterior chamber of the eye before eye surgery is performed.
What is the best way to take acetylcholine?
Acetylcholine will be given directly by a doctor or medical staff under the supervision of a doctor. This drug will be injected into the patient's anterior chamber.
Before the injection, the doctor will ensure that the acetylcholine fluid to be injected is clear. Follow the doctor's instructions and suggestions before, during, and after the acetylcholine injection.
1. What are the indications and contraindications of Acetylcholine?
Indications for giving Acetylcholine are usually for symptomatic treatment of myasthenia gravis. Its greatest benefit is for long-term therapy, where there is no difficulty in swallowing the drug. In addition, this drug is useful for dilating the pupil, dilating blood vessels, and reducing eye pressure during eye surgery procedures.
In acute myasthenic crisis, where there is difficulty in breathing and swallowing, the parenteral form must be used.
While the contraindications are that it can cause cardiac insufficiency, angina pectoris, bronchial asthma and hyperthyroidism.
2. Interactions of Acetylcholine with Other Drugs
Here are some drug interactions that can occur when acetylcholine is used with other drugs:
- Increased risk of respiratory and heart problems if used with beta-blockers, such as acebutolol, atenolol, bisoprolol, metoprolol, or propranolol
- Decreased effectiveness of acetylcholine if used with eye drops of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as diclofenac or ketorolac
- Increased effects of acetylcholine if used with cholinesterase inhibitors, such as neostigmine
What is the major adverse effect of acetylcholine?
Some side effects that may occur after using acetylcholine are:
- Pain, swelling, or irritation of the eyes
- Excessive sweating
- Fever
- Warmth in the face, neck, or chest (flushing)
- Bradycardia
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing
Tell your doctor if the side effects mentioned above do not subside or actually get worse. You should also see a doctor immediately if you experience an allergic reaction to the drug after injecting acetylcholine.
Warning
- Tell your doctor if you have a history of heart disease, COPD, asthma, low blood pressure, epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, stomach ulcers, and urinary tract infections.
- Tell your doctor if you are taking other medications.
- If an allergic reaction or overdose occurs, see your doctor immediately for further treatment.
