Tag: Anhidrosis

The classic clinical mnemonic for anticholinergic overdose includes being 'hot as a hare,' a direct result of atropine's key anticholinergic property: the inhibition of sweating. This explains why does atropine cause hyperthermia by impairing the body's natural cooling system, leading to dangerous heat retention.

Pharmacologically, anticholinergic medications are often used to treat excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis) precisely because they inhibit perspiration. This immediately clarifies the common misconception and answers the question: **Does anticholinergic increase sweating?** The reverse is true.

According to a 2024 study in *The Lancet*, drugs with high anticholinergic properties were found to increase core body temperature during heat stress at air temperatures above 30°C. Yes, anticholinergic medications can cause hyperthermia, a dangerous elevation of body temperature that can lead to heatstroke and other serious complications.

Anhidrosis, or the inability to sweat, is a well-documented side effect of the medication atropine, significantly impacting the body's ability to regulate temperature. This occurs because atropine blocks the specific nerve signals that command sweat glands to produce sweat. Understanding what does atropine do to sweat is crucial for managing this effect, particularly in hot weather or during physical exertion, where overheating and heatstroke are significant risks.

Atropine, an anticholinergic medication, is known to inhibit sweat gland activity, a side effect that can lead to an increase in body temperature, or hyperthermia. The question, **Does atropine increase temperature?**, is particularly relevant for vulnerable patients like infants and those in hot environments, where this effect can become dangerous.