Cyclopentolate (cyclopentolate hydrochloride) is a parasympatholytic anticholinergic used solely to obtain mydriasis or cycloplegia. This anticholinergic preparation blocks the responses of the sphincter muscle of the iris and the accommodative muscle of the ciliary body to cholinergic stimulation, producing pupillary dilation (mydriasis) and paralysis of accommodation (cycloplegia). It acts rapidly, but has a shorter duration than atropine. Maximal cycloplegia occurs within 25 to 75 minutes after instillation. Complete recovery of accommodation usually takes 6 to 24 hours. Complete recovery from mydriasis in some individuals may require several days. Heavily pigmented irides may require more doses than lightly pigmented irides.

Succinylcholine also known as suxamethonium is a quaternary skeletal muscle relaxant usually used in the form of its halogen salt. It is is indicated under brand name anectine as an adjunct to general anesthesia, to facilitate tracheal intubation, and to provide skeletal muscle relaxation during surgery or mechanical ventilation. Succinylcholine activates the muscle-type nicotinic acetylcholine receptor followed by desensitization. Succinylcholine does not inhibit the presynaptic alpha3beta2 autoreceptor at clinically relevant concentrations, that provides a possible mechanistic explanation for the typical lack of tetanic fade in succinylcholine-induced neuromuscular blockade. Finally, was explored, that cardiovascular side effects (e.g., tachyarrhythmias) of succinylcholine were not mediated via direct activation of the autonomic ganglionic alpha3beta4 subtype because succinylcholine didn’t not activate the neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) subtypes.

Trihexyphenidyl (Artane, Apo-Trihex, Parkin, Pacitane), also known as benzhexol and trihex has been in clinical usage for decades.It is an anticholinergic used in the symptomatic treatment of all etiologic groups of parkinsonism and drug induced extrapyramidal reactions (except tardive dyskinesia). Trihexyphenidyl possesses both anticholinergic and antihistaminic effects, although only the former has been established as therapeutically significant in the management of parkinsonism. Trihexyphenidyl is a selective M1 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist. It is able to discriminate between the M1 (cortical or neuronal) and the peripheral muscarinic subtypes (cardiac and glandular). Trihexyphenidyl partially blocks cholinergic activity in the CNS, which is responsible for the symptoms of Parkinson's disease. It is also thought to increase the availability of dopamine, a brain chemical that is critical in the initiation and smooth control of voluntary muscle movement. Trihexyphenidyl is indicated for the treatment of parkinson's disease and extrapyramidal reactions caused by drugs.

Atropine inhibits the muscarinic actions of acetylcholine on structures innervated by postganglionic cholinergic nerves, and on smooth muscles which respond to endogenous acetylcholine but are not so innervated. As with other antimuscarinic agents, the major action of atropine is a competitive or surmountable antagonism which can be overcome by increasing the concentration of acetylcholine at receptor sites of the effector organ (e.g., by using anticholinesterase agents which inhibit the enzymatic destruction of acetylcholine). The receptors antagonized by atropine are the peripheral structures that are stimulated or inhibited by muscarine (i.e., exocrine glands and smooth and cardiac muscle). Responses to postganglionic cholinergic nerve stimulation also may be inhibited by atropine but this occurs less readily than with responses to injected (exogenous) choline esters. Atropine is relatively selective for muscarinic receptors. Its potency at nicotinic receptors is much lower, and actions at non-muscarinic receptors are generally undetectable clinically. Atropine does not distinguish among the M1, M2, and M3 subgroups of muscarinic receptors.

Pilocarpine is an alkaloid extracted from plants of the genus Pilocarpus. The drug stimulates the muscarinic receptors (especially M3, which is expressed in smooth muscles and glands) and thus induces salivation, hypertension and water intake. Pilocarpine was appoved by FDA for the alleviation of symptoms of xerostomia in patients who have undergone radiation therapy to their head and neck cancer and in patients with Sjogren's Syndrome. Ophthalmic solution of the drug is prescribed for the treatment of glaucoma, ocular hypertension, postoperative elevated intraocular pressure, etc.

Sofinicline is a selective agonist of the a4b2 subtype of nAChR. It is under development by Abbott Laboratories in collaboration with NeuroSearch. It is produced as a capsule in doses of 1, 2 or 4 mg. Sofinicline is a full agonist of the a4b2 nAChR. It has high binding affinity, ~ 0.1 nM, for this receptor. Sofinicline is orally active and is metabolized hepatically. Sofinicline has been used in trials studying the treatment of ADHD, neuralgia, diabetic neuropathies, diabetic polyneuropathy, and diabetic neuropathic pain, among others.

Altinicline (SIB-1508Y, SIB-1765F) is a drug which acts as an agonist at neural nicotinic acetylcholine receptors with high selectivity for the α4β2 subtype. It stimulates release of dopamine and acetylcholine in the brain in both rodent and primate models, and progressed as far as Phase II clinical trials for Parkinson's disease, where "no antiparkinsonian or cognitive-enhancing effects were demonstrated", although its current status is unclear.

Pozanicline is an alpha4-beta2 neuronal nicotinic receptor partial agonist. It had been in phase II clinical trials for the treatment of attention hyperactivity disorder and Alzheimer’s disease. It was tested for the treatment of schizophrenia too. All these studies were discontinued. Modulation of hippocampal learning and memory using Pozanicline in animal model was effective as novel therapeutic strategies for nicotine addiction. However future clinical trial was terminated.