Which class of drugs is known to have anticholinergic properties?

The class of drugs known to have anticholinergic properties is tricyclic antidepressants. These medications are primarily used to treat depression but also have a range of other uses, such as for chronic pain and anxiety disorders. The anticholinergic effects stem from their ability to block acetylcholine receptors, leading to a variety of symptoms such as dry mouth, constipation, blurred vision, and urinary retention.

In contrast, beta-blockers primarily affect the cardiovascular system by blocking beta-adrenergic receptors, which makes them effective in treating high blood pressure and heart conditions, but they do not exhibit anticholinergic activity. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors are primarily used for managing hypertension and heart failure, and they have a mechanism of action unrelated to acetylcholine receptor antagonism. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, used for depression and anxiety, work by increasing serotonin levels and do not possess anticholinergic effects. Therefore, tricyclic antidepressants stand out within this list for their notable anticholinergic properties.