Agonist Vs Antagonist

Question 1

What is an agonist?

Answer 1

A drug or substance that binds to a receptor inside a cell or on its surface and causes the same action as the substance that normally binds to the receptor.

Question 2

What is a simple definition of an antagonist?

Answer 2

One that contends with or opposes another: adversary, opponent political antagonist.

Question 3

Opioid agonist

Answer 3

Methadone, which is used to treat opioid addiction, is a full opioid agonist.

Question 4

Opioid antagonist

Answer 4

If someone has taken a potentially fatal heroin overdose, naloxone (an opioid receptor antagonist) can reverse the effects. Naloxone (brand name Narcan) works by blocking or occupying all the opioid receptors, preventing morphine or heroin from binding and activating them.

Question 5

Naloxone

Answer 5

An overdose victim who is unconscious and near death can become fully conscious quite dramatically within seconds of receiving naloxone.

Question 6

Difference between an agonist and an antagonist

Answer 6

The Takeaway
The main difference between an agonist and an antagonist is that they have opposite actions.

Question 7

Agonist and Antagonist

Answer 7

An agonist drug always produces a specific action and triggers the receptor to produce a natural response.

On the other hand, antagonist drugs block or oppose the natural action or response of a receptor.

Some agonists can act as a partial antagonist, but an antagonist drug cannot act as an agonist drug.