methacholine chloride

Methacholine chloride (SK-1211) is a diagnostic small molecule developed by Sanwa Kagaku Kenkyusho for the assessment of airway hyperresponsiveness in patients with suspected asthma. As a muscarinic receptor agonist, it acts primarily on the M3 muscarinic receptors located on bronchial smooth muscle. When administered via inhalation in a methacholine challenge test, it induces bronchoconstriction. The degree of airway narrowing is measured using spirometry; patients with asthma typically demonstrate a significant decrease in lung function at much lower concentrations of methacholine than healthy individuals. This drug was developed to provide a standardized diagnostic tool in Japan, similar to the internationally used Provocholine.

Brand names

Methacholine Chloride for Inhalation Sanwa

Other names

acetyl-beta-methylcholine chloride