What is the drug glycopyrrolate used for?

Description

Glycopyrrolate (pyrrolidinium 3-[ (cyclopentylhydroxy/phenylacetyl)oxyl]-1,l-dimethyl bromide; glycopyrronium bromide; Robinul) is a quaternary ammonium anticholinergic drug. Originally synthesised in 1960, it was extensively used in the 1960s for the treatment of peptic ulceration.

Uses

Glycopyrrolate has been widely used as a preoperative medication to inhibit salivary gland and respiratory secretions. The most frequent reasons for administering anticholinergics include producing an antisialagogue effect, creating a sedative and amnesic effect, and preventing reflex bradycardia. Glycopyrrolate is among the more common anticholinergic medications. It is used perioperatively as a muscarinic receptor antagonist.

Glycopyrrolate is used to treat peptic ulcers in adults. Stomach ulcers occurs when gastric acid eats away at your protective stomach lining. The acid creates open sores that can bleed and cause stomach pain. This drug is also used in combination with other medications to treat ulcers in adults and children 12 years of age and older. Glycopyrrolate (Cuvposa) is used to reduce saliva and drooling in children between 3 and16 years of age that have certain medical conditions that cause drooling. It is in a class of medications called anticholinergics. It decreases stomach acid and saliva production by blocking the activity of a certain natural substance in the body.

Mechenism of action

Glycopyrrolate, like other anticholinergic agents, inhibits the action of acetylcholine on structures innervated by postganglionic cholinergic nerves and on smooth muscles that respond to acetylcholine. It protects against the peripheral muscarinic effects (e.g. bradycardia and excessive secretions) of cholinergic agents such as neostigmine and pyridostigmine given to reverse the neuromuscular blockade due to non-depolarising muscle relaxants.

References

[1] R. K. MIRAKHUR, J. W. DUNDEE. “Glycopyrrolate: pharmacology and clinical use.” Anaesthesia 38 12 (1983): 1195–1204.

[2] Monika Chabicovsky . “Pharmacology, toxicology and clinical safety of glycopyrrolate.” Toxicology and applied pharmacology 370 (2019): Pages 154-169.