Final answer:
Physostigmine, also known as Antilirum, is a drug that acts as an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor. It inactivates the enzyme acetylcholinesterase, preventing the breakdown of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine in the victim's synapses and causing both muscarinic and nicotinic effects. Physostigmine has various uses in medicine, including the treatment of glaucoma, myasthenia gravis, and atropine poisoning.
Step-by-step explanation:
Physostigmine, also known as Antilirum, is a drug that acts as an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor. It inactivates the enzyme acetylcholinesterase, preventing the breakdown of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine in the victim's synapses and causing both muscarinic and nicotinic effects. This means that physostigmine increases the levels of acetylcholine in the body, leading to increased stimulation of the cholinergic system.
Physostigmine has various uses in medicine, including the treatment of glaucoma, myasthenia gravis, and atropine poisoning. In glaucoma, physostigmine helps to reduce intraocular pressure by increasing the drainage of aqueous humor from the eye. In myasthenia gravis, it improves muscle strength by increasing the availability of acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction. In cases of atropine poisoning, physostigmine can be used as an antidote to reverse the anticholinergic effects of atropine.