Chemicals and Drugs

Cholinesterase Inhibitors

Drugs that inhibit cholinesterases. The neurotransmitter ACETYLCHOLINE is rapidly hydrolyzed, and thereby inactivated, by cholinesterases. When cholinesterases are inhibited, the action of endogenously released acetylcholine at cholinergic synapses is potentiated. Cholinesterase inhibitors are widely used clinically for their potentiation of cholinergic inputs to the gastrointestinal tract and urinary bladder, the eye, and skeletal muscles; they are also used for their effects on the heart and the central nervous system.

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

Drugs that inhibit cholinesterases. The neurotransmitter ACETYLCHOLINE is rapidly hydrolyzed, and thereby inactivated, by cholinesterases. When cholinesterases are inhibited, the action of endogenously released acetylcholine at cholinergic synapses is potentiated. Cholinesterase inhibitors are widely used clinically for their potentiation of cholinergic inputs to the gastrointestinal tract and urinary bladder, the eye, and skeletal muscles; they are also used for their effects on the heart and the central nervous system.

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Broader headings

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Synonyms

27 entry terms
  • Anti-Cholinesterase
  • Anti-Cholinesterases
  • Anticholinesterase
  • Anticholinesterase Agent
  • Anticholinesterase Agents
  • Anticholinesterase Drug
  • Anticholinesterase Drugs
  • Anticholinesterases
  • Cholinesterase Inhibitor
  • Agent, Anticholinesterase
  • Agents, Anticholinesterase
  • Anti Cholinesterase
  • Anti Cholinesterases
  • Drug, Anticholinesterase
  • Drugs, Anticholinesterase
  • Inhibitor, Cholinesterase
  • Inhibitors, Cholinesterase
  • Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitor
  • Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors
  • Cholinesterase Inhibitors, Irreversible
  • Cholinesterase Inhibitors, Reversible
  • Inhibitor, Acetylcholinesterase
  • Inhibitors, Acetylcholinesterase
  • Inhibitors, Irreversible Cholinesterase
  • Inhibitors, Reversible Cholinesterase
  • Irreversible Cholinesterase Inhibitors
  • Reversible Cholinesterase Inhibitors

MeSH Record

Aspects Covered

22 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings administration & dosage, adverse effects, analysis, blood, cerebrospinal fluid, chemical synthesis, chemistry, classification, economics, history, immunology, isolation & purification, metabolism, pharmacokinetics, pharmacology, poisoning, radiation effects, standards, supply & distribution, therapeutic use, toxicity, urine.

MeSH Record

History Note

65; CHOLINESTERASE INHIBITORS, IRREVERSIBLE & CHOLINESTERASE INHIBITORS, REVERSIBLE were see under CHOLINESTERASE INHIBITORS 1975-83, were Prov 1971-74; CHOLINESTERASE INHIBITORS, ORGANIC was see PHOSPHORUS POISONS, ORGANIC 1963-64 (PHOSPHORUS POISONS, ORGANIC deleted 1965)

MeSH Hierarchy

Tree Numbers

  1. D27.505.519w.389w.275w
  2. D27.505.519w.625.120.300w
  3. D27.505.696.577.120.300w

MeSH Record

NLM Classification

QV 124

AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. Cholinesterase Inhibitors. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D002800. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D002800
  2. Cholinesterase Inhibitors. In: Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cholinesterase_inhibitor
  3. Cholinesterase Inhibitors. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q65089169