Pirenzepine

General information

Pirenzepine is an anticholinergic drug with selective effects on muscarinic M ₁ receptors, although there is also evidence that it can be an antagonist at M ₂ receptors as well. It inhibits gastric acid secretion in the stomach, and when it was introduced for the treatment of peptic ulceration [ ], it was thought that in the doses necessary to affect acid secretion it would be almost entirely free of other muscarinic (atropine-like) effects. However, although muscarinic adverse reactions, such as dry mouth and difficulty in accommodation, are less common with pirenzepine than with atropine, they can still occur in about half the patients who take it [ ]. Cardiac conduction effects, resulting in sinus tachycardia, atrial fibrillation, and nodal tachycardia, can also occur.

Organs and systems