There has been a study out recently from Harvard about anticholinergics and possibly causing Alzheimer's in the elderly.
This has caused considerable controversy.

As a result, The People's Pharmacy has a post online including lists of drugs that have anticholinergic properties.
http://www.peoplespharmacy.com/2015/...inergic-drugs/

The first generation antihistamines, are moderately anticholinergic. (not powerfully so). They will not stop GI spasms as a rule except in very high doses, and those high doses are not commonly used.

A strong anticholinergic is used for lessening gastrointestinal symptoms of spasms or bladder overreactivity. (these include atropine, dicyclomine, hyoscyamine, belladonna, scopolamine, oxybutinin)

The first generation antihistamines and antipsychotics are moderately anticholinergic. Taken regularly (like daily) these may be additive and become more like the the stronger ones, I listed, as the side effects may become additive over time. Taken in high doses for a long time, they may show more side effects, however.

I have used anticholinergics since my late teens, because I have a serious GI birth defect.( And I have used the first gen antihistamines too). Never daily, but only when needed to unravel a serious GI spasm so I use the strong ones. I have never had a problem with them except for a mild blurred vision and dry mouth occasionally over night. Even though I have a sensory neuropathy, I don't seem to have autonomic damage. If anything I have an overactive parasympathetic system.

So everyone is different and brings their own genetic DNA to the table when illness is concerned.

So for patients with a diagnosed cholinergic type of autonomic
neuropathy, the lists above from People's Pharmacy should be consulted whenever drugs are prescribed.

I will say that the second list, is not cast in stone. I think some drugs in it belong in the first list.
Lomotil contains ATROPINE is a strong anticholinergic.
Imodium also is pretty strong.
But others on that moderate list do not trigger the drug interaction warnings that pharmacies use for dispensing to patients. The insurance companies now stop RX dispensing for the elderly (over 50) requiring a pharmacist's override to continue the request. Most pharmacists do not counsel patients on most of these, however. Of all the anticholinergics used on RX, oxybutinin the the most commonly used in the elderly, for incontinence symptoms.

This is the study from the Harvard discussion:
http://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/c...k-201501287667
Notice Claritin is suggested to replace first gen antihistamines in this article-- but People's Pharmacy has it listed as "moderate".

So like most things medical, there is not a real answer for everyone equally.