Anticholinergics: How do they Work?

Anticholinergic drugs are bronchodilators that act by blocking acetylcholine, the
neurotransmitter for the parasympathetic nervous system. By blocking parasympathetic
stimulation, anticholinergics reduce cholinergic tone, therefore producing
bronchodilation. In this article we review when and how these drugs should be used.
What are their potential benefits and what should we tell patients who need them?