Which statement about pralidoxime is true?

Which statement about pralidoxime is true?

• A. It blocks muscarinic receptors
• B. It inhibits acetylcholine release
• C. It regenerates acetylcholinesterase
• D. It is a depolarizing NMJ blocker

Answer: (C)

Pralidoxime reactivates acetylcholinesterase that has been inhibited by organophosphates. By acting as a nucleophile, it cleaves the organophosphate from the enzyme, freeing acetylcholinesterase to hydrolyze acetylcholine again. This helps reduce excessive acetylcholine at both muscarinic and nicotinic receptors, improving neuromuscular function and secretory symptoms. The effect is time-sensitive because aging of the organophosphate-enzyme complex makes reactivation impossible. It does not block muscarinic receptors, nor does it inhibit acetylcholine release, and it is not a depolarizing neuromuscular blocker.

Pralidoxime reactivates acetylcholinesterase that has been inhibited by organophosphates. By acting as a nucleophile, it cleaves the organophosphate from the enzyme, freeing acetylcholinesterase to hydrolyze acetylcholine again. This helps reduce excessive acetylcholine at both muscarinic and nicotinic receptors, improving neuromuscular function and secretory symptoms. The effect is time-sensitive because aging of the organophosphate-enzyme complex makes reactivation impossible. It does not block muscarinic receptors, nor does it inhibit acetylcholine release, and it is not a depolarizing neuromuscular blocker.