Prokind

Propantheline is an anticholinergic drug, a medication that reduces the effect of acetylcholine, a chemical released from nerves that stimulates muscles, by blocking the receptors for acetylcholine on smooth muscle (a type of muscle). It also has a direct relaxing effect on smooth muscle. Propantheline is used to treat or prevent spasm in the muscles of the gastrointestinal tract in the irritable bowel syndrome. In addition, Propantheline inhibits gastrointestinal propulsive motility and decreases gastric acid secretion and controls excessive pharyngeal, tracheal and bronchial secretions.

Slow gastric emptying and long intestinal transit time have been shown to improve lactose absorption. Action is achieved via a dual mechanism: (1) a specific anticholinergic effect (antimuscarinic) at the acetylcholine-receptor sites and (2) a direct effect upon smooth muscle (musculotropic). After oral administration, propantheline bromide is extensively metabolized primarily by hydrolysis to the inactive materials xanthene-9-carboxylic acid and (2-hydroxyethyl) diisopropylmethyl ammonium bromide, approximately half of which occurs in the gastrointestinal tract prior to its absorption. Food appears to substantially decrease the extent of absorption following oral administration. It appears that it does not readily penetrate the CNS and eye, due to complete ionisation and poor lipid solubility.

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