Atropine, << AT roh peen, >> is a drug derived from several plants in the nightshade family, especially from a bushy plant called belladonna or deadly nightshade. Physicians now also use numerous synthetic versions of atropine because they provide shorter-lasting effects and work more selectively on specific organs of the body.
Physicians use atropine and its synthetic versions during eye examinations to relax the muscles of the eye and to cause the pupil to dilate (expand). The drug also relieves certain types of noninfectious diarrhea and is useful as a remedy for poisoning by certain pesticides and nerve gases. A common side effect of atropine is dry mouth.
Atropine works by counteracting the effect of acetylcholine, a body chemical that transmits nerve impulses. The drug is extremely powerful and should never be taken without a prescription and supervision by a physician. High doses can cause hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that do not exist), rapid heartbeat, and coma.
