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cholinergic vs. anticholinergic

cholinergic vs. anticholinergic: What'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
[koh-luh-nur-jik, kol-uh-] / ˌkoʊ ləˈnɜr dʒɪk, ˌkɒl ə- /

adjective

Biochemistry.

  1. resembling acetylcholine in pharmacological action.

  2. stimulated by or releasing acetylcholine or a related compound.

anticholinergic
[an-ti-koh-luh-nur-jik, -kol-uh-] / ˌæn tɪˌkoʊ ləˈnɜr dʒɪk, -ˌkɒl ə- /

adjective

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

noun

  1. an anticholinergic substance, as a drug.