Curare

Curare refers to the alkaloid containing substance obtained from one of several plants, the purified products of which are used as skeletal muscle relaxants. Curare has been superseded by a number of Curare-like agents that have a similar pharmacodynamic profile but with fewer side effects.

Related Topics:
Alkaloid - Muscle relaxants

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Curare is an example of a non-depolarising muscle relaxant which blocks the acetylcholine receptors on the post synaptic membrane of the neuromuscular junction.

Related Topics:
Muscle relaxant - Acetylcholine - Neuromuscular junction

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Curare has also been used historically as a paralyzing poison by South American indigenous people. The prey is killed by asphyxiation as the respiratory muscles are unable to contract resulting in apnea.

Related Topics:
Poison - Asphyxiation - Apnea

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The active ingredient in curare is D-tubocurarine.

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