---
title: "Anticholinergic Toxicity"
url: https://mghmclean.org/residents/handbk/part2b/anti.htm
description: "source : Hyman SE and Tesar GE (1994) Manual of Psychiatric Emergencies. Little, Brown."
published: 2026-08-10
updated: 2026-08-10
---

# Anticholinergic Toxicity

Published 2026-08-10

PART 3 / CH 40

Roy Perlis

A. Signs and symptoms

· Dry mouth

· Hyperpyrexia

· Dry, flushed skin

· Tachycardia

· Blurred vision

· Urinary retention, Constipation

· Delirium

B. Physostigmine challenge

when anticholinergic toxicity is suspected:

· Have atropine 0.4mg at bedside (antidote)

· Push physostigmine 1mg IV over 2-3min.

· Monitor vitals, EKG (for bradycardia)

*source*: Hyman SE and Tesar GE (1994) Manual of Psychiatric Emergencies. Little, Brown.