Mydriatic, antispasmodic and cycloplegic agent. Smooth muscle relaxant. Used in preanaesthetic medication to prevent reflex brachycardia and bronchospasm and to decrease gland secretions. Reduces rigidity in parkinsonism. Antidote to poisoning with parasympathomimetic agents, e.g. nerve gases, organophosphorus insecticides. Cause of deliberate and accidental poisoning of humans and livestock. Nontoxic to some spp., e.g. rabbits. Reference material used in elemental microanalysis. Toxicity: Adverse human effects by ingestion, and other routes of administration, incl. dryness of the mouth, difficulty swallowing and thirst. Adverse ocular effects. Can cause death. Variable human lethal dose, but 100 mg can be fatal. LD50 (rat, orl) 500 mg/kg. Exp. reprod. and teratogenic effects. LD50 orally in rats: 750 mg/kg (Cahen, Tvede). Causes blurred vision, suppressed salivation, vasodilation, hyperpyrexia, excitement, agitation, and delirium LDLo(rbt, orl) 1450mg/kg. LD50(gpg orl) 1100mg/kg.
· M. Ylinen et al., Planta Med., 2, 85, 1986
· DG. Spoerke et al., J. Emergency Med., 5, 5, 385, 1987
· VI. Stenberg et al., J. Het. Chem., 14, 225, 1977
· Y. Takeuchi et al., Chem. Pharm. Bull., 19, 2603, 1971(ir)
· HM. Fales et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc., 92, 1590, 1970(ms)
