The category that includes antidepressants with strong anticholinergic properties is which of the following?

The category that includes antidepressants with strong anticholinergic properties is which of the following?

• A. Antidepressants with strong anticholinergic properties
• B. Antipsychotics
• C. Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors
• D. Nonselective alpha-1 blockers

Answer: (A)

Strong anticholinergic effects are a hallmark of certain antidepressants, most notably the tricyclic antidepressants. These drugs block muscarinic receptors, which produces typical anticholinergic side effects such as dry mouth, constipation, urinary retention, blurred vision, and cognitive effects, especially in older adults. So when the question asks for the category that includes antidepressants with strong anticholinergic properties, the best fit is the descriptor that directly names antidepressants with strong anticholinergic properties. Other options describe drug classes that aren’t defined by strong anticholinergic activity in antidepressants: antipsychotics focus on dopamine antagonism (and may have incidental anticholinergic effects), acetylcholinesterase inhibitors increase acetylcholine, and nonselective alpha-1 blockers affect vascular tone.

Strong anticholinergic effects are a hallmark of certain antidepressants, most notably the tricyclic antidepressants. These drugs block muscarinic receptors, which produces typical anticholinergic side effects such as dry mouth, constipation, urinary retention, blurred vision, and cognitive effects, especially in older adults. So when the question asks for the category that includes antidepressants with strong anticholinergic properties, the best fit is the descriptor that directly names antidepressants with strong anticholinergic properties. Other options describe drug classes that aren’t defined by strong anticholinergic activity in antidepressants: antipsychotics focus on dopamine antagonism (and may have incidental anticholinergic effects), acetylcholinesterase inhibitors increase acetylcholine, and nonselective alpha-1 blockers affect vascular tone.