Atropine (anatropine) - what is it? Atropine is an m-anticholinergic blocker (pharmacological group), a dangerous plant alkaloid and tropine ester. The medicine atropine looks like a white powder without a distinct odor, quickly dissolves in liquids, including alcohol and water. This substance is a poison for the human body; it is naturally found in nightshades: belladonna (belladonna), datura, henbane . Atropine sulfate formula: C17H23NO3.
Atropine - indications for use
The drug is available both as a solution for intravenous administration (atropine sulfate) and in tablet form; in addition, there are also eye drops.
What is atropine used for medical purposes? Previously, it was used to treat psychosis using atropine coma; today this technique is not used in medicine. Medicines containing atropine (anticholinergics) are used for the treatment of asthma, gastrointestinal tract in gastroenterology, as well as in ophthalmology, psychiatry, pulmonology, cardiology, premedication in surgery, urology, toxicology, poisoning with organophosphorus compounds, etc. However, the drug has quite a lot of contraindications and side effects, it should not be used by those who are allergic to atropine (Atropinum Sulfuricum D5), as well as by glaucoma, liver disease, heart disease (arrhythmia, tachycardia), increased intraocular pressure, etc.
Today, a medicine called atropine and atropine-containing drugs are quite often used by drug addicts for recreational purposes not related to medical indications, to obtain a “high” and a euphoric effect. In the article you will learn everything about atropine, its action and the consequences of non-medical use.
Causes of the disease
Prolonged alcohol intoxication, alcoholism and any other intoxication can provoke agitation and aggravate it.
Some infectious diseases can cause symptoms of the described illness, but this is not common. In some professions that involve constant stress, a person may periodically become confused, but this should not be confused with agitation.
In psychiatry, agitation is one of the leading ailments. More than one and a half million people are affected by this disease every year in the United States alone.
Many patients are unable to control themselves while in this state and become dangerous to themselves and others. In view of this, in megacities, closed medical institutions or psychiatric departments are provided for such patients on one of the floors of a regular hospital.
How does atropine affect the human body?
The side effects of atropine are quite extensive, ranging from dizziness to hallucinations. Among the consequences of consuming atropine, one can identify worsening diseases of the cardiovascular system, inflammatory processes on the mucous membrane of the eyeballs (eye drops), rapid heartbeat, and lack of oxygen to the brain. If the drug is beneficial in therapeutic doses, then if used inappropriately it can lead not only to severe intoxication of the body, but also to death.
The effect of atropine on the body:
- stimulation of the central nervous system;
- hallucinations;
- psychosis;
- psychomotor agitation;
- pupil dilation;
- blockage of secretory glands;
- stomach contractions decrease;
- heartbeats increase.
After taking atropine orally, the effects occur within 30 minutes, and when administered intravenously, within a few seconds.
Urgent Care
A patient in a state of psychomotor agitation requires urgent hospitalization in a psychiatric hospital. Therefore, if symptoms of this disease appear, you should immediately call a specialized ambulance.
If such a condition develops, first aid to the patient can only be provided by a psychiatrist. The primary treatment tactic is to urgently immobilize the person. To do this, it is fixed with wide bandages.
In difficult cases, doctors are assisted by law enforcement agencies. If it is possible to establish contact with the patient, the doctor should conduct an explanatory conversation with him. The patient must be told that he needs hospitalization and treatment in a psychiatric hospital.
Algorithm for providing emergency care for psychomotor agitation
Narcotic effect of atropine
The body's response varies greatly depending on the dose consumed. When using a small dose of the substance, a surge of strength and energy occurs, and mood improves. Taking an average dose leads to stress relief and relaxation; an overdose of the drug is fraught not only with poisoning and hallucinations, but also with death. The narcotic effect of atropine is explained by the accumulation of acetylcholine in the synoptic cleft, inhibition of parasympathetic effects and the functioning of the nervous system.
If the permissible daily dosage is exceeded, a person feels warm and relaxed, relaxed, euphoric and slightly dizzy. The narcotic effect of atropine can be compared to the use of marijuana and other cannabinoids containing THC. How a drug affects a person depends on his mood and state of mind before use. If the mood is negative, the substance will only intensify the reaction, which can lead to panic attacks and depression.
Euphoria after a few hours is replaced by the opposite effect: drowsiness, lethargy, weakness, emptiness, weakness. A person has problems with the gastrointestinal tract and a headache. The higher the dose of atropine, the stronger the symptoms of intoxication, the person begins to behave inappropriately, and psychosis occurs due to the effect of the drug on the central nervous system. They are accompanied by mydriasis, insomnia, tachycardia, pressure surges, and behavioral and mental abnormalities. This condition can last about 24 hours.
Classification
Types of psychomotor agitation:
- Dysphoric. Increased aggressiveness against a background of gloomy mood. Often a consequence of organic brain damage or epilepsy;
- Alarming. The patient is restless, cannot sit quietly - he sways his body, bites his nails, and often repeats fragments of phrases or words. This may be followed by raptus, a sudden agitation in which the person begins to scream and rush around the room. It is a consequence of depressive syndrome;
- Manic. Increased desire to perform any activity, high productivity, good mood and accelerated flow of thoughts. Often - during the manic phase of bipolar disorder;
- Catatonic. Against the background of complete immobilization and waxy flexibility (freezing in a certain position for up to several hours or even days), impulsive behavior begins, during which a person can injure himself and others. Characteristic of catatanonic schizophrenia;
- Hebephrenic. Senselessness of actions, aggressiveness, bizarre judgments, hallucinations and delusions indicate the onset of schizophrenia;
- Epileptiform. A sharp onset of excitement, which is accompanied by fear, hallucinations and aggressiveness;
- Psychosomatic. In many ways similar to the hebephrenic form, it occurs both in schizophrenia and organic brain lesions;
- Hallucinatory and delusional. Against the background of a clouding of consciousness, a person becomes “driven” by his hallucinations, his mood changes extremely quickly, there is anger and the risk of committing an illegal act;
- Psychogenic. There is a fear of death, an anxious mood, and rushing around the room. Easily confused with an anxious form of arousal. Occurs in healthy individuals in difficult life situations;
- Eretic. Senseless exclamations and destructive actions towards surrounding people and objects are a consequence of mental retardation.
The emergence of addiction and its treatment
In pursuit of new unusual sensations and euphoria, as well as an attempt to get away from problems, people turn their attention to pharmaceutical drugs. This is exactly the effect that atropine gives: fogginess of consciousness, withdrawal from reality, artificial elevation of mood. Not all people know about the dangers of atropine and the consequences of its regular and excessive use. Even a person who has been prescribed a drug by doctors can become addicted to the drug. Having felt the effect of the drug, a person may become psychologically dependent on its effect.
If a drug helps an addict cope with depression, stress, internal problems and complexes, he will use it again and again, which will lead to addiction. However, no chemical substance can be used for a long time without consequences for the body. The longer the period of use, the more the addict degrades both physically and mentally. As a result of acquiring drug addiction, people only have more problems, they grow like a snowball and do not allow a person to get out of the vicious circle. Only doctors at the Favorit drug treatment clinic in Rostov-on-Don can save a person from imminent death.
The development of addiction is also influenced by the fact that a person stops receiving pleasure in the usual way: from delicious food, walks with friends, a favorite activity, communication with loved ones. The only source of pleasure, euphoria and pleasure is atropine. Soon the addict begins to realize that the usual dose no longer gives the desired effect, so he gradually increases the dosage and also begins to use other pharmaceutical drugs or psychotropic substances. step by step a person loses himself as an individual and becomes one step closer to death.
Hypnosis treatment for compulsive obsessive disorder
In case of pathology, the use of hypnosuggestive psychotherapy, which belongs to the category of highly effective methods, is recommended. It consists of hypnosis and suggestion. In hypnosis, a person is immersed in a conscious state in which the scope of consciousness narrows. The person focuses sharply on the suggestion he receives.
Hypnosuggestive therapy aims to introduce new and more adaptive attitudes at the conscious and unconscious levels. During therapy, a person is taught self-hypnosis, which provides the opportunity to consolidate and enhance the results obtained during treatment.
With the help of hypnosis, unwanted behavior is replaced, as well as the discomfort that arises from obsessive thoughts and movements is reduced. When unwanted feelings, thoughts and sensations appear, a person will cope with his emotions. Thanks to suggestion, getting rid of unwanted thoughts is ensured.
Phases of poisoning
Regardless of whether a person took a large dose of the drug accidentally or intentionally, he will invariably experience severe intoxication. Atropine poisoning leads to the appearance of corresponding symptoms within 10-20 minutes after consumption. A person begins to feel dry mouth and eyes, his temperature rises, and skin hyperemia occurs. There are several phases of poisoning.
Psychomotor agitation
Atropine intoxication leads to various kinds of disorders of the central nervous system, including due to dry eyes, a person’s vision decreases and deteriorates, dizziness, muscle hypertonicity, tendon reflexes, confusion, increased sensitivity to light, mydriasis, convulsions, psychosis occur. . A person addicted to a psychoactive substance begins to behave inappropriately: laugh, cry, perform strange actions, run. He may experience visual, tactile or auditory hallucinations, and mental disorders with predominant psychomotor agitation occur.
CNS depression
Disruption of the nervous system begins in a person within 7-10 hours from the moment of consuming atropine in an increased dosage. The victim feels weakness or twitching in the muscles, his thoughts are confused, he cannot formulate a sentence. The danger of the drug is that its excessive use can lead to coma.
When taking a large dose of the drug, the symptoms of depression of the nervous system are very obvious, and there may not even be psychomotor agitation. Feeling the desire to sleep, a person falls asleep, but the drug causes disruption of the heart, blood vessels and respiratory system, which can cause death in sleep. Asphyxia, respiratory arrest, heart failure, and pulmonary or cerebral edema may occur due to breathing problems.
Symptoms of reactive psychosis
1. Shock psychogenic reactions (shock neuroses, affective-shock reactions, emotional neuroses)
Psychosis occurs due to a sudden strong emotional shock or a life-threatening situation (accident, catastrophe, etc.), all of which can be associated with situations of a negative nature. Affective shock psychoses can manifest themselves in two forms: psychomotor retardation and psychogenic motor agitation. Psychomotor retardation with mutism. The disease manifests itself as complete immobilization and the inability to establish speech contact. The patient is unable to move or call for help, even in a potentially dangerous situation. In this condition, the patient is in clear consciousness, perceives events around him, but does not react to what is happening. Psychogenic motor agitation begins acutely, in the presence of psychotrauma. General psychomotor agitation occurs, the patient is restless, makes aimless movements, speech is usually slurred, and a grimace of horror or fear may be expressed on the face. Impaired consciousness is present.
2. Hysterical psychoses (psychogenic twilight states)
Hysterical psychoses are a common type of reactive states.
They are characterized by symptoms of any type of clouding of consciousness (disorientation, no reaction to events occurring around them, disruption of object contact, etc.). Clouding of consciousness can be traced to a connection with mental trauma. Hysterical psychoses are often divided into three types: pseudodementia, puerism, and hysterical twilight stupefaction. Pseudo-dementia
- the patient suddenly becomes “stupid”, cannot solve the simplest problems, gives ridiculous answers, and is disoriented.
Ganser syndrome is a type of pseudodementia that affects people in prison. Puerilism
is characterized by regression of the psyche to the level of a child.
The form of speech, behavior, emotional reactions become similar to children's. This clinical picture may include elements of adult behavior. Hysterical twilight states
occur in persons with hysterical psychopathy. Patients are demonstrative and can act out scenes in which there is a connection with psychotrauma. There is a perception disorder (true hallucinations), the statements are delusional, they also reflect the traumatic situation suffered.
3. Psychogenic depression (reactive depression)
Psychogenic depression is the most common form of reactive states. It is characterized by: decline in mood, feeling of depression, the patient is careless, stops taking care of himself. As depression deepens, depressive delusions (constant feelings of guilt) and often suicidal thoughts appear. The main cause of anxiety is the psychological trauma that caused the disease. The course is wavy, relative to the severity of symptoms. In clinical practice, there are three more variants of reactive depression: asthenic, depressive-delusional, hysterical psychogenic.
4. Psychogenic manias
Psychogenic manias are much less common than other reactive states. The cause of occurrence is sudden severe psychotrauma that causes a state of passion. A predisposing factor to psychogenic mania may be the presence of psychopathy of the affective and hysterical type, or schizotypal personality disorder. The clinical picture is characterized by irritability, fussiness, increased activity, and unreasonable joy. There is often a combination of opposing emotions present. A sleep disorder occurs (insomnia, restless sleep, difficulty falling asleep, shortened sleep time) associated with replaying memories of traumatic events. The patient is energetic and strives to do everything possible to improve his traumatic situation. At the peak of affect, productivity is lost, hyperactivity, importunity, and conflict come to the fore. The delirium of litigiousness and the desire to punish those “culpable” in the event may join.
5. Psychogenic paranoids
(reactive paranoid, psychogenic paranoid delusional formation, induced delusion) Reactive paranoid develops as a result of an unfavorable situation for the patient, there is a delusional belief that he is being watched, everyone around him is an enemy, treats him badly and wishes harm, etc. Auditory hallucinations often appear, which confirm the patient's beliefs. The development of an acute condition occurs after a short preceding period, with a feeling of anxiety, fear that something bad is about to happen. Psychotraumatization occurs after a new, unusual situation for the patient, combined with external impressions that create an atmosphere of anxiety, uncertainty, and anxiety.
Psychogenic paranoid delusional formation
- a type of reactive psychosis, does not have an acute onset, develops over a long period of time and gradually develops (sometimes several years). The disease is more common in individuals with paranoid psychopathy. Development occurs in conditions of chronic psychotraumatization. The delusion is systematized, based on the interpretation of real events and the situation surrounding the patient. With a prolonged course, delirium becomes persistent and persists for many years.
The patient loses the ability to work and care for himself. Memory, intelligence, adequacy and expression of emotions are not affected.
Induced delusion manifests itself in the “transition” of mental disorders from one person to another. Such a transition is observed in conditions of close communication between several individuals, while one of the individuals suffers from psychosis and is the source of induction - the inducer. A person who perceives these disorders is called inducible.
There are a number of conditions that promote psychic induction:
• close communication (cohabitation, common work or personal relationships) of the inducer and the inducible • the initial mental superiority of the inducer over the inducible (intellectual, social or characterological) • mental weakness, suggestibility of the inducible Themes of induced psychoses are most often associated with delusions of persecution, jealousy, and litigiousness.
Treatment of intoxication
How to cope with poisoning? How is acute atropine intoxication treated? First of all, you need to call the Favorit RC and call the emergency drug treatment service to your home. Doctors will arrive within 30-40 years. However, quite often victims require pre-medical assistance; you can get detailed advice from professionals by calling our clinic’s hotline absolutely free. The patient will also need emergency medical care and then hospital treatment.
How to remove poison from the body without harming the health of the addicted person? First of all, doctors carry out a detoxification procedure. To cleanse the body of toxins as quickly as possible, droppers with adsorbents and a number of medications are used to speed up metabolism and normalize the patient’s general condition. In addition, depending on the degree of intoxication, the following measures are used: gastric lavage (potassium permanganate), induction of vomiting, use of laxatives and diuretics, hemosorption.
Next comes the turn of symptomatic treatment and elimination of physiological disorders in the addict’s health. The drugs are used according to indications and contraindications. In case of severe clinical picture and breathing problems, tracheal intubation and artificial ventilation are used, resuscitation measures include installation of a catheter and administration of the necessary medications intravenously.
In case of atropine poisoning, the victim must be given an antidote: Physiostigmine, Aminostigmine, Nivalin or Galantamine in an individual dosage. These drugs help to quickly get rid of the unpleasant consequences of intoxication and symptoms such as hallucinations.
Diagnosis of reactive psychoses
It is important to carry out a differential diagnosis; the symptoms of reactive psychoses are similar to the symptoms of diseases such as schizophrenia, manic-depressive psychosis, delusional disorders, endogenous and psychogenic depression, drug or alcohol intoxication, etc. The diagnosis is made based on the medical history, anamnesis, clinical picture, presence traumatic event and the connection of symptoms with psychotrauma. For example, reactive depression differs from the first depressive phase of circular psychosis (which has a psychogenic onset) in that patients are fixated on traumatic thoughts rather than on their own personality, while the patient justifies melancholy and suicidal thoughts with traumatic events.
Use by drug addicts
Recreational use of atropine has recently begun to increase.
Today it is quite easy to find a prescription or an illegal drug on the Internet and social networks. Pharmacy drugs are among the cheapest and most accessible, despite the ban and criminal prosecution for distribution without a doctor's prescription. Most often, people who are addicted to atropine are those who have already used or are using narcotic substances. Drug addicts can combine the drug with alcohol, other pharmaceutical drugs, tranquilizers, psychostimulants, opiates, etc. The use of several chemical substances in order to obtain a euphoric effect is called polydrug addiction.
Dual addiction is quite difficult to cure. It is worth noting that it is impossible to get rid of this kind of drug addiction on your own at home. It is necessary to contact a specialized drug treatment clinic. Our rehabilitation center in Rostov-on-Don provides assistance to all drug addicts and their loved ones, regardless of their length of use.
Systematic, regular use of atropine in high dosages leads to serious health consequences for addicts. This is not only a disruption of the central nervous system and depression of cognitive functions, and, accordingly, a person’s intellectual abilities, but also the development of heart and vascular diseases, and disruption of the respiratory system. The addict has problems with communication and socialization. Physical and mental dependence lead to the emergence and development of severe withdrawal symptoms.
Mechanism of action of atropine
The drug blocks M-receptors and nerve impulses. Atropine binds to areas of the brain instead of acetylcholine, as a result of which various abnormalities occur in the human body, including inhibition of impulses from the central nervous system and suppression of the secretion of sweat, salivary and a number of other glands. As a result, the smooth muscles of the intestines, gastrointestinal tract and bladder relax and expand. Atropine causes paralysis of accommodation and mydriasis, farsightedness, increased heart rate, bradycardia, and vasodilation.
Overdose and poisoning
Atropine, depending on the form of release, can be used orally, intravenously, in the form of eye drops, intramuscularly and subcutaneously. The therapeutic dose of the drug when taken orally is 0.25-1 mg (no more than 3 times a day). The dosage depends on the individual characteristics of the human body. For intravenous and intramuscular administration, the dose is identical. If your doctor has prescribed you drops to dilate the pupil, you should not take them in excess of the prescribed dose, a maximum of 2 drops 2 times a day. Even if a person does not intend to obtain a narcotic effect, if the dose is exceeded, an overdose can occur. In addition, atropine is found in the fruits of plants from the nightshade family, which can also easily be poisoned.
Symptoms of atropine overdose
- dilated pupils;
- lack of reaction to light;
- nausea, vomiting;
- tremor of the limbs;
- thirst, dry mouth;
- difficulty urinating;
- headache;
- dizziness;
- rapid pulse;
- accelerated heartbeat;
- high blood pressure;
- cramps, spasms;
- constipation.
Atropine overdose can occur not only when the dose is increased, but also when combined with other chemicals and toxins, including alcohol. As soon as you notice the first signs of intoxication and poisoning, you should call the Favorit RC in Rostov-on-Don. Doctors at our center have the opportunity to come to the patient’s home and carry out all the necessary resuscitation measures, as well as pre-consult relatives about emergency care.
Within 30-40 minutes, the toxic effect of atropine occurs, which can last for several days. Toxins spread throughout the body, poisoning it and accumulating in the tissues of internal organs. A pharmaceutical drug can linger in the body of an addicted person for quite a long time. This is why a person becomes lethargic, weakened, painful, irritable, and loses interest in others. The drug removes all useful substances and vitamins from the body, reducing the addict’s immunity. A person begins to have problems with teeth, hair, nails, and skin.
There are 3 degrees of atropine poisoning: mild, moderate and severe. If at the first stage a person can still cope with the symptoms on his own at home, then in the case of moderate poisoning it is worth calling an ambulance at home. If you do not contact the clinic in time, atropine will begin its harmful effects and destructive effects on the human heart, liver, kidneys, blood vessels and central nervous system. Frequent symptoms of atropine intoxication: hallucinations, psychosis, loss of coordination, abnormalities of the nervous system.
If an addict regularly uses atropine to obtain a euphoric effect, the consequences of taking it can be much sadder and more dangerous: paralysis of the respiratory muscles, coma, death. While in a coma, a person is at risk of impaired cognitive functions and intellectual abilities, and mental abnormalities. It is not difficult to calculate the lethal dose of atropine; it is 1.5 mg per 1 kg of body weight of an adult. Death from abuse and overdose occurs within 5 hours after use.
Questions and answers on the topic “Nervous excitement”
Question: For several months now I have had constant increased nervous excitability. I get nervous with or without reason, and now I’m already nervous from the very fear of starting to get nervous. On the EEG: moderately pronounced general changes in bioelectrical activity. Signs of irritation of brain stem structures. How likely can we talk about organic brain damage here?
Answer: Carrying out an instrumental examination without indications and an overdiagnostic coven in the description of examination data is the path to the somatization of mental disorders and the neuroticization of the nation. General rule: EEG is needed to diagnose epilepsy. Exceptions to this rule are extremely rare. An example of an exception is suspected brain death.
Treatment of atropine addiction in Rostov-on-Don
Treatment of atropine addiction, as well as addiction to any pharmaceutical drugs, takes place in a drug rehabilitation center in Rostov-on-Don. Therapy includes detoxification and symptomatic treatment, as well as rehabilitation, which stabilizes the addict’s condition and consolidates the treatment results. Doctors help patients eliminate psychological cravings for psychoactive substances through group and individual sessions. During the treatment process, various psychotherapeutic and medicinal techniques are used, as well as psychocorrection and family therapy, especially necessary for adolescents. The last step in the treatment of drug addiction is resocialization and adaptation to society.
Treatment of psychosis at the Alter Clinic
Treatment of reactive psychoses in patients is currently carried out by a large system of medication, psychotherapeutic and social techniques.
To be effective, all treatment methods must be in balance with each other, taking into account the clinical form of the reactive state and the type of its treatment. In the presence of an acute condition, treatment is carried out inpatiently. At the clinic of Dr. Shmilovich “Alter” it is possible to undergo a course of individual pharmacotherapy, psychotherapy, incl. cognitive-behavioral, which will help you get rid of attitudes that have arisen against the background of the disease and receive the necessary recommendations. Only highly qualified specialists work. Each psychologist and psychiatrist has extensive experience in this field and constantly improves their qualifications.
Our specialists use the most modern techniques with proven effectiveness to achieve the desired result. The specialist finds an individual approach to each patient. Also, any of your calls to our clinic will remain anonymous.
Fixed price for each individual service. You can find prices and a list of services on our website Convenient location. Our clinic is located in the center of Moscow, near the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, on Vsevolozhsky Lane, next to the Kropotkinskaya metro station.
If you find yourself in a difficult situation, we will provide you with qualified assistance, high quality and at an affordable price. Finding a solution to the problem is much easier if you contact a specialist as early as possible. Our goal is your recovery.
