Andrenergic Agents Flashcards
Adrenergic agents
Drugs that stimulate the sympathetic nervous system (sns)
Aka adrenergic agonists and sympathomimetics
Characteristics of adrenergic agents
Mimic the effects of the SNS transmitters norepinephrine and epinephrine
Adrenergic receptors
Located throughout the body
Are receptors for the sympathetic neurotransmitters
Alpha adrenergic
Beta adrenergic
Dopaminergic receptors: respond to dopamine
cardiovascular: blood vessels
alpha 1 receptors: constriction
beta 2 receptor: dilation
cardiovascular: cardiac muscle
beta 1: increased contractility
cardiovascular: atrioventricular node
beta 1: increased heart rate
cardiovascular:
sinoartial node
beta 1: increased heart rate
endocrine: pancrease
beta 1: decreased insulin release
endocrine: liver
beta 2: glycogenolysis
endocrine: kidney
beta 2: increased renin secretion
gastrointestinal: muscle
beta 2: decreased motility
gastrointestinal: sphincters
Alpha 1: constriction
genitourinary: bladder sphincter
alpha 1: constriction
genitourinary: penis
alpha 1: ejaculation
genitourinary: uterus
alpha 1: contraction
beta 2: relaxation
respiratory: bronchial muscles
beta 2: dilation
ocular: pupilary muscles of the iris
alpha 1: mydriasis
alpha- adrenergic receptors
divided into alpha 1 and alpha 2 receptors
differentiated by their location on nerves
alpha 1- adrenergic receptors
located on the postsynaptic effector cells (the cell, muscle or organ that the nerve stimulates)
alpha 2 adrenergic receptors
located on the presynaptic nerve terminals (the nerve that stimulates the effector cells)
controls the release of neurotransmitters
found in the CNS
predominant alpha- adrenergic agonist responses
vasocontriction and CNS stimulation
beta- adrenergic receptors
all are located on the post synaptic effector cells
beta 1 adrenergic receptors are located primarily on the heart
beta 2 adrenergic receptors- located primarily in the lungs
beta adrenergic agonist response
bronchial, GI, and uterine smooth muscle relaxation, cardiac stimulation (increased heart rate and contractility.)
dopaminergic receptors
additional adrenergic receptor
stimulated by dopamine
causes dilation of the renal vessel, the mesentaric vessels, coronary vessels, and cerebral vessel and results in INCREASED blood flow
Mechanism of action:
direct acting sympathomimetic
binds directly to the receptor and causes a physiologic responses
example: epinephrine
mechanism of action:
indirect acting sympathomimetic
causes release of catecholamines (neurotransmitters) from storage sites in the nerve endings
the catecholamine then binds to the receptors and causes a physiologic response
example: amphetamines
mechanism of action: mixed acting sympathomimetic
directly stimulates the receptor by binding to it and
indirectly stimulates the receptor by causing the release of stored neurotransmitters from the vesicles in the nerve endings.
example: ephedrine
catecholamines
substances that can produce a sympathomimetic response
endogenous: the body produces it (epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine)
synthetic: everything else and endogenous
Drug effects:
stimulation of beta 1 adrenergic receptors on the myocardium, AV node, and SA node results in cardiac stimulation
increased force of contraction (positive inotropic effect)
increased heart rate
(positive chronotropic effect)
increased conduction through the AV node (positive dromotropic effect)
Beta 2 agonists- inhalers
mechanism of Action (MOA)
- stimulates beta adrenergic receptors and exhibits a response.
- indications: bronchodilator to treat asthma or COPD
examples: albuterol, terbutaline, levalbuterol