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Atropine

Question:

I don’t know about atrophine, but my doctor has prescribed precose for similar reasons.  Aparantly precose is a form of the "starch blockers" which were touted as over the counter weight loss products a few years back. There are some draw backs to this medication.  The drug acts by occupying sites on food that would normally be occupied by digestive enzymes, effectively "blocking" the enzymes and preventing digestion and consequently absorbtion.  However, you now have more undigested material in your intestines.  Side effects include bloating, constipation/diarrhea cycles, and increased flatulation.  However, by slowly aclimating to the drug, these side effects can be minimized. Jim Mazza Salem, OR

Response:

writes: – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -DIABETES                                           Thursday, May 16 1996 INTERVIEW NEWS                      a weekly e-newsletter for people with diabetes                                    Copyrighted 1996, Diabetes Interview _ * Today’s Story: How Fast Does Your Stomach Empty? _ * It may not be your fault if your blood sugar levels are unpredictable. Recent studies have shown that during hypoglycemic episodes, food exits the stomach much more quickly than it does under normal circumstances. A report published in the November 1995 Diabetes Care details a study conducted in Sweden. The stomachs of people experiencing hypoglycemia emptied three times faster than those of people with normal glycemic levels. Such rapid emptying leaves insulin dosages working on minimal amounts of glucose since the stomach barely has time to digest the food. This can worsen hypoglycemia, causing a vicious cycle. Because the emptying rate may not be consistent, people with diabetes can find themselves in a constant battle for control despite regular monitoring. The Swedish study reports that the stomach of a person experiencing hypoglycemia empties 50% of liquid in an average of 8.1 minutes, compared with 24.9 minutes during normoglycemia. The emptying of solids for people with hypoglycemia takes 26.8 minutes, versus 43.1 minutes for those with normal glycemic levels. The researchers decided to test atropine, which has been shown to slow stomach emptying in normoglycemic patients. They found that during hypoglycemia, atropine infusion tended to cause the stomach to empty even more slowly than during normoglycemia. Although the phenomenon is not completely understood, it is thought that the accelerated emptying rate is a result of increased nerve stimulation during hypoglycemic episodes. :<<:<<:<<:<<:<<:<<:<<:<<:<<:<<:<<:<<:<<:<< I have been receiving comments about how dangerous atropine is.  This is confusing considering the above article. Dave Pease Dallas Wholesale Trade 215 Harris Sunnyvale, Tx 75182 USA Phone (214) 226-9511 voice/fax Dave, I think most of us read the original question regarding atropine

as indicating that the questioner was considering attempting self-medication with the drug.  It is indeed a very dangerous drug. The article you quote appears to refer to a single study in which trained professionals conducted a carefully controlled experiment.  It does not appear to suggest at all that atropine is useful in controlling blood glucose levels, but to repeat what has already been common knowledge for years – that atropine slows stomach action and peristalsis.  Merely slowing down the digestive process will do next to nothing for a person’s diabetes…it could, in fact, lead to serious problems, especially were a layperson to discover a source of the drug and begin attempting to regulate blood glucose levels on one’s own.                                Bill Mayers, RT, RN – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

Response:

=Atropine is apparently useful if given before =surgery or after you’ve really been exposed to an anticholinesterase =agent like GB or VX. Or if your opthalmologist wants to get a good look at your retinas (though these days there other shorter-acting paralytic agents suitable for dilating the pupils). I  try  very  hard  to say exactly what I mean.  I’d appreciate it if you’d bear that in mind and not try to "interpret"  my  posts  to  fit  your  own preconceived notions if I’m posting in a serious thread.  Remember:  If you throw a strawman into a heated debate, flames are likely to be the result.

Response:

– :Has any one used Atropine  for the purpuse of slowing down digestion – esn’t become  hungry as quickly?  If this works, I reason that less d – ill mean slower absoption of food leading to smaller or nonexistant s – lood sugar.  Another side benefit would be to loose wieght as one wou – s.  I’d appreciate hearing from anyone on this. Hmm. You don’t give enough of a description of your current condition, nor your health history to understand how you would administer this poison and to what end. Could you be more specific? Sincerely, David Washburn

Response:

DIABETES                                           Thursday, May 16 1996 INTERVIEW NEWS                      a weekly e-newsletter for people with diabetes                                     Copyrighted 1996, Diabetes Interview Today’s Story: How Fast Does Your Stomach Empty? It may not be your fault if your blood sugar levels are unpredictable. Recent studies have shown that during hypoglycemic episodes, food exits the stomach much more quickly than it does under normal circumstances. A report published in the November 1995 Diabetes Care details a study conducted in Sweden. The stomachs of people experiencing hypoglycemia emptied three times faster than those of people with normal glycemic levels. Such rapid emptying leaves insulin dosages working on minimal amounts of glucose since the stomach barely has time to digest the food. This can worsen hypoglycemia, causing a vicious cycle. Because the emptying rate may not be consistent, people with diabetes can find themselves in a constant battle for control despite regular monitoring. The Swedish study reports that the stomach of a person experiencing hypoglycemia empties 50% of liquid in an average of 8.1 minutes, compared with 24.9 minutes during normoglycemia. The emptying of solids for people with hypoglycemia takes 26.8 minutes, versus 43.1 minutes for those with normal glycemic levels. The researchers decided to test atropine, which has been shown to slow stomach emptying in normoglycemic patients. They found that during hypoglycemia, atropine infusion tended to cause the stomach to empty even more slowly than during normoglycemia. Although the phenomenon is not completely understood, it is thought that the accelerated emptying rate is a result of increased nerve stimulation during hypoglycemic episodes. :<<:<<:<<:<<:<<:<<:<<:<<:<<:<<:<<:<<:<<:<<: I have been receiving comments about how dangerous atropine is.  This is confusing considering the above article. Dave Pease Dallas Wholesale Trade 215 Harris Sunnyvale, Tx 75182 USA Phone (214) 226-9511 voice/fax

Response:

=:Has any one used Atropine  for the purpuse of slowing down digestion so one =doesn’t become  hungry as quickly?  If this works, I reason that less digestion =will mean slower absoption of food leading to smaller or nonexistant spikes in =blood sugar.  Another side benefit would be to loose wieght as one would eat =less.  I’d appreciate hearing from anyone on this. Let me get this straight:  You’re considering paralyzing your digestive tract in order to reduce your hunger?  Doesn’t sound like a very good idea to me. I  try  very  hard  to say exactly what I mean.  I’d appreciate it if you’d bear that in mind and not try to "interpret"  my  posts  to  fit  your  own preconceived notions if I’m posting in a serious thread.  Remember:  If you throw a strawman into a heated debate, flames are likely to be the result.

Response:

:Has any one used Atropine  for the purpuse of slowing down digestion so one doesn’t become  hungry as quickly?  If this works, I reason that

less digestion wi For several years I worked with "nerve gases" (liquids, actually) and had to carry a couple of syrettes (not sure on the spelling).  These were little glass bulbs filled with helium and atropine with a tube leading to a needle.  If you were exposed to nerve agent, you were supposed to stick the needle into yourself, break the seal, and have the helium force the atropine into you through the needle.  Never had to use it myself, but one guy in the lab thought he might have been exposed and plunged the needle into himself while somebody else put a call to the local hospital and said the secret code words.  The ambulance and the state police arrived in minutes, but by this time the guy was feeling really bad, so he gave himself a second shot.  The ambulance raced him to the hospital where he was treated for atropine poisoning.  Atropine is apparently useful if given before surgery or after you’ve really been exposed to an anticholinesterase agent like GB or VX.  We were told at the time that it produced symptoms that opposed those of the nerve agents and bought time while the body rid itself of those agents.  It is a powerful drug that I certainly wouldn’t recommend for blood glucose control.  I suspect, since it seems to increase the secretion of epinephrine and norepinephrine, that it would be likely to raise blood glucose without eating any additional food — but that’s just a guess. John Carroll

Response:

:Has any one used Atropine  for the purpuse of slowing down digestion so one doesn’t become  hungry as quickly?  If this works, I reason that less digestion will mean slower absoption of food leading to smaller or nonexistant spikes in blood sugar.  Another side benefit would be to loose wieght as one would eat less.  I’d appreciate hearing from anyone on this.

Response:

:Has any one used Atropine  for the purpuse of slowing down digestion

so one doesn’t become  hungry as quickly?  If this works, I reason that less digestion will mean slower absoption of food leading to smaller or nonexistant spikes in blood sugar.  Another side benefit would be to loose wieght as one would eat less.  I’d appreciate hearing from anyone on this. More to the point would be the following question: does anyone realise how poisonous Atropine is?  Folks, this is a potent and potentially deadly misuse of the drug.  If it were of benefit, your endocrinologist would be prescribing it regularly.  How potent is it?  The Army uses it to counter the effects of nerve gas!   – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

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