Procyclidine is a muscarinic antagonist that crosses the blood-brain. Procyclidine hydrochloride (brand name Kemadrin) is a synthetic antispasmodic compound of relatively low toxicity. It has been shown to be useful for the symptomatic treatment of parkinsonism (paralysis agitans) and extrapyramidal dysfunction caused by tranquilizer therapy. Procyclidine hydrochloride was developed at The Wellcome Research Laboratories as the most promising of a series of antiparkinsonism compounds produced by chemical modification of antihistamines. Kemadrin is indicated in the treatment of parkinsonism including the postencephalitic, arteriosclerotic, and idiopathic types. Partial control of the parkinsonism symptoms is the usual therapeutic accomplishment. Procyclidine hydrochloride is usually more efficacious in the relief of rigidity than tremor; but tremor, fatigue, weakness, and sluggishness are frequently beneficially influenced. It can be substituted for all the previous medications in mild and moderate cases. For the control of more severe cases, other drugs may be added to procyclidine therapy as indications warrant. The mechanism of action is unknown. It is thought that procyclidine acts by blocking central cholinergic receptors, and thus balancing cholinergic and dopaminergic activity in the basal ganglia. Pharmacologic tests have shown that procyclidine hydrochloride has an atropine-like action and exerts an antispasmodic effect on smooth muscle. It is a potent mydriatic and inhibits salivation. It has no sympathetic ganglionblocking activity in doses as high as 4 mg/kg, as measured by the lack of inhibition of the response of the nictitating membrane to preganglionic electrical stimulation.

Procyclidine is a muscarinic antagonist that crosses the blood-brain. Procyclidine hydrochloride (brand name Kemadrin) is a synthetic antispasmodic compound of relatively low toxicity. It has been shown to be useful for the symptomatic treatment of parkinsonism (paralysis agitans) and extrapyramidal dysfunction caused by tranquilizer therapy. Procyclidine hydrochloride was developed at The Wellcome Research Laboratories as the most promising of a series of antiparkinsonism compounds produced by chemical modification of antihistamines. Kemadrin is indicated in the treatment of parkinsonism including the postencephalitic, arteriosclerotic, and idiopathic types. Partial control of the parkinsonism symptoms is the usual therapeutic accomplishment. Procyclidine hydrochloride is usually more efficacious in the relief of rigidity than tremor; but tremor, fatigue, weakness, and sluggishness are frequently beneficially influenced. It can be substituted for all the previous medications in mild and moderate cases. For the control of more severe cases, other drugs may be added to procyclidine therapy as indications warrant. The mechanism of action is unknown. It is thought that procyclidine acts by blocking central cholinergic receptors, and thus balancing cholinergic and dopaminergic activity in the basal ganglia. Pharmacologic tests have shown that procyclidine hydrochloride has an atropine-like action and exerts an antispasmodic effect on smooth muscle. It is a potent mydriatic and inhibits salivation. It has no sympathetic ganglionblocking activity in doses as high as 4 mg/kg, as measured by the lack of inhibition of the response of the nictitating membrane to preganglionic electrical stimulation.

Tricyclamol is a quaternary ammonium compound, which is a crystalline odorless substance, readily soluble in water. It may be given by mouth or by subcutaneous injection. Tricyclamol was used for its spasmolytic action on smooth muscle. In animals it inhibits the spasmogenic effects of acetylcholine (ACh), carbachol, pilocarpine and barium chloride. In relaxing ACh-induced spasm of isolated rabbit ileum the activities of the dextro and laevo isomers of tricyclamol were approximately 0.006 and 2 times that of atropine sulphate respectively. Further, in inhibiting the stretch reflex of isolated guinea-pig ileum the laevo isomer was much more active than the dextro and about twice as potent as the racemate. Tricyclamol blocks the superior cervical ganglion. Tricyclamol chloride has a marked effect in reducing the motility of the stomach and duodenum, and to a far greater extent than the results produced by hyoscyamine. This action may be of value in controlling the pain of peptic ulceration, since it is likely that the pain, at least in part, is due to spasm.