Talk:Acetylcholinesterase inhibitor

An acetylcholinesterase inhibitor (often abbreviated AChEI) or anti-cholinesterase is a chemical or a drug that inhibits the acetylcholinesterase enzyme from breaking down acetylcholine, thereby increasing both the level and duration of action of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors are classified as reversible, irreversible, or quasi-irreversible (also called pseudo-irreversible).

Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors

• Banisteriopsis caapi
  • Harmaline
  • Harmine
• Caffeine
• Harmala alkaloids (found in Peganum harmala)
  • Desoxypeganine
  • Harmaline
  • Harmine
  • Harmol
  • Vasicine (possible)
• Piperine (found in Black pepper (Piper nigrum), and Long pepper (Piper longum))

Dangerous interactions

Check (including independent research) if your AChEIs also inhibit other substances, most AChEIs are also MAOIs and cytochrome P450 inhibitors.

Substances that inhibit MAO enzymes and the cytochrome P450 system have the ability to slow the metabolism of certain drugs, leading to an overall increase in processing times. When the MAO enzymes and the CYP450 system are impacted in this way, it leads to higher levels of certain drugs in your system at one time. This can cause unwanted side effects, and sometimes, an overdose.

AChEIs combined with cholinergic substances can result in a cholinergic crisis.

See also

• Cholinergic