Curariform drugs may have a different mode of action in blocking

neuromuscular transmission and thus in causing paralysis of skeletal muscle.

This mode of action depends on the molecular properties of the drug and on
the inherent properties of muscle and myoneural junction.

On basis of their chemical and pharmacological properties, curariform drugs

have to be divided into at least three basic types.

Type I, the cholinomimetics or depolarizers, which have affinity to the ACh-

receptors in the myoneural junction and which as well as ACh have a high
intrinsic activity (e.g. suxamethonium).

Type II, the cholinolytics, curarimimetics or competitors, which have affinity

towards the same receptors as Type I drugs but which have a very low intrinsic
activity (e.g. D-tubocurarine).
Type III, the “non-competitors”, which have affinity towards other than ACh-
receptors and which are non-competitive antagonists of ACh (e.g. Prestonal).

The features of these basic types were studied on the isolated frog's rectus
abdominis muscle and the nerve-muscle preparation of the cat and the
chicken.

Gradual changes in the molecular configuration of curariform drugs cause

gradual changes in the intrinsic activity and the affinitie with consequently
gradual changes from the one type to the other via intermediates or mixed
type