Editing Atropine (section)

=== Poisonings ===
Atropine acts as an [[Drug antagonism|antagonist]] for [[organophosphate poisoning]] by blocking the action of [[acetylcholine]] at [[muscarinic]] receptors caused by [[organophosphate]] [[insecticide]]s and [[nerve agent]]s, such as [[Tabun (nerve agent)|tabun]] (GA), [[sarin]] (GB), [[soman]] (GD), and [[VX (nerve agent)|VX]]. Troops who are likely to be attacked with [[chemical weapon]]s often carry [[autoinjector]]s with atropine and [[oxime]], for rapid injection into the muscles of the thigh.  In a developed case of nerve gas poisoning, maximum atropinization is desirable. Atropine is often used in conjunction with the oxime [[pralidoxime chloride]].

Some of the nerve agents attack and destroy [[acetylcholinesterase]] by [[phosphorylation]], so the action of acetylcholine becomes excessive and prolonged. Pralidoxime (2-PAM) can be effective against organophosphate poisoning because it can re-cleave this phosphorylation.  Atropine can be used to reduce the effect of the poisoning by blocking muscarinic acetylcholine receptors, which would otherwise be overstimulated, by excessive acetylcholine accumulation.

Atropine or [[diphenhydramine]] can be used to treat [[muscarine]] intoxication.{{medcn|date=March 2022}}

Atropine was added to cafeteria salt shakers in an attempt to poison the staff of [[Radio Free Europe]] during the [[Cold War]].<ref>The Battle Over Hearts and Minds
A Cold War of Spies: Episode 4 |https://www.imdb.com/title/tt27484449/?ref_=ttep_ep4 {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240526050120/https://www.imdb.com/title/tt27484449/?ref_=ttep_ep4 |date=2024-05-26 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.pbsamerica.co.uk/series/a-cold-war-of-spies/#7749 | title=A Cold War of Spies {{pipe}} PBS America {{pipe}} UK | access-date=2024-02-11 | archive-date=2024-02-16 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240216182829/https://www.pbsamerica.co.uk/series/a-cold-war-of-spies/#7749 | url-status=live }}</ref>