Occasionally used to reverse neuromuscular blockers but are non specific. Organophosphates (insecticides and acaricides, eg couamphos) are potent anticholinesterases and will produce side effects in mammals (including people) by increasing cholinergic transmission. Organophosphate insecticides are obsolescent and are usually ecountered as poisons. Organophosphates were originally developed as nerve gases for chemical warfare, and are a potential terrorist weapon. Since most of the dangerous effects are muscarinic, antimuscarinic drugs are usually given, although a specific organophosphate antagonist, pralidoxime, is available.
