[3][2] These chemicals are also called cholinergic drugs because acetylcholine (ACh) is the neurotransmitter used by the PSNS.
[1][4] Chemicals in this family can act either directly by stimulating the nicotinic or muscarinic receptors (thus mimicking acetylcholine), or indirectly by inhibiting cholinesterase, promoting acetylcholine release, or other mechanisms.
[5] Common uses of parasympathomimetics include glaucoma, Sjögren syndrome and underactive bladder.
[6] Some chemical weapons such as sarin or VX, non-lethal riot control agents such as tear gas, and insecticides such as diazinon fall into this category.
For a cholinergic agent, the following criteria describe the structure activity relationship: These act by stimulating the nicotinic or muscarinic receptors.