The law of conservation of mass (from Lavoisier) states that mass can be neither created nor destroyed (but it may change its form into something that is not desired, such as heat with an engine) or that in a chemical reaction, the total mass of the reacting substances is equal to the total mass of products formed.
The anticholinergics and antispasmodics are a group of medicines that include the natural belladonna alkaloids (atropine, belladonna, hyoscyamine, and scopolamine) and related products. The anticholinergics and antispasmodics are used to relieve cramps or spasms of the stomach, intestines, and bladder. Some are used together with antacids or other medicines in the treatment of peptic ulcers. Others are used to prevent nausea, vomiting, and motion sickness.
An article in your April issue, Common drugs linked to dementia, states that anticholinergics are used to treat depression. I wasn't aware of this. Which types of anticholinergics are used for depression? A. We should have been clearer in our description of the medications. Anticholinergic drugs work by blocking the effects of acetylcholine, a substance that transmits messages in the nervous system. In the brain, acetylcholine is involved in learning and memory. In the rest of the body, it stimulates muscle contractions. A wide range of drugsâincluding tricyclic antidepressants like amitriptyline (Elavil) or doxepin (Deptran, Silenor, Sinequan)âhave strong anticholinergic effects, which means they can have side effects like memory problems and confusion.