Atropa belladonna
(Belladonna)
Therapeutic Actions:
- Anodyne and anesthetic to sensory nerve terminals when applied
topically
- Antispasmodic especially for the GI
- Febrile state in large doses
- Motor inhibitor to smooth muscles of the bladder, rectum,
stomach, and intestines
- Mydriasis due to paralysis of the terminal occulomotor
nerve
- Paralysis in toxic amounts
- Parasympathetic depressant
- Secretory suppressor except those of the kidneys and
bowels
- Stimulates in small doses
- Suppresses secretion by depression of the terminal nerves in
medium doses
- Vasodilator of cervical and facial vessels
Clinical Indications:
- Biliary dyskinesia (condition which prevents the flow of bile
from the gall bladder to the intestinal tract)
- Cystitis, acute pain
- Endometrosis, acute pain
- Encephalitis
- Enteralgia
- Gastralgia
- Physiological antidote in acute poisoning by morphine (opium),
eserine (physostigmine), muscarine (mushroom poisoning), and
pilocarpine
- Post influenza parkinsonism
- Shock
- Spasms due to hyperacidity
- Spasms of the involuntary muscles
- Sustains respiration in strychnine poisoning and chloroform
and ether narcosis
- Uterine and ovarian neuralgias (sharp pain along the course of
a nerve in the uterus and ovaries)
Contraindications:
- Elderly
- Glaucoma
- Hypertension of the globe of the
eye
- Keratitis with
superficial vascularity
- Marginal corneal ulcers
- Phlyctenular keratitis after the acute inflammation
Drug/Nutrient Interaction:
Chemical Constituents:
- Atropine
- Hyocyamine
- Scopolamine
Toxicity:
- Symptoms:
Drowsiness
Dryness
Dysphagia
Great thirst
Indistinct, lost, or double vision
Nausea
Pupillary dilation
Rapid breathing
Talkative or wild delirium
Suppression of urine
Vomiting
- Antidote:
Emetics (i.e. mustard, zinc sulphate, or powdered ipecac)
Lavage tube
Stomach pump
Tickling of the throat to provoke emesis
Copyright 1998 - 2008 by L. Vicky Crouse, ND and James S. Reiley, ND. All rights reserved (ISSN 1527-0661).