Compound Monograph
Atropine
Atropine is a tropane alkaloid from deadly nightshade and related plants, used medically as an anticholinergic.
Classification
Atropine is a tropane alkaloid, part of the alkaloids class. Nitrogen-containing, often bitter and physiologically potent compounds — the group behind many of the strongest plant medicines and poisons.
Where Does It Come From? (4)
Atropine is a naturally occurring tropane alkaloid, found in Deadly nightshade, Datura, Mandrake and 1 other source. It is flagged as poisonous.
Research & Evidence
Atropine is a tropane alkaloid produced by nightshade-family plants such as deadly nightshade, datura, henbane and mandrake. It is a competitive antagonist at muscarinic acetylcholine receptors, which makes it a classic anticholinergic. In medicine it is used to increase heart rate, dilate the pupils, reduce secretions, and as an antidote for certain types of poisoning. The same plants have a long and dangerous history of use as deliriants and poisons.
Toxicity & Safety
Atropine is genuinely poisonous and the source plants are a frequent cause of severe, sometimes fatal poisoning. Anticholinergic toxicity produces dry mouth and skin, flushing, blurred vision, rapid heartbeat, urinary retention, agitation, hallucinations and, in serious cases, hyperthermia, seizures and coma. The margin between an active and a dangerous dose is narrow, and these plants should not be used recreationally. Medical use of atropine is carefully dose-controlled by clinicians.