Autonomic Nervous System Drugs

Question 1

What is central and peripheral nervous system?

Answer 1

Central nervous system - is made up of the brain and spinal cord.

Peripheral nervous system - is made up of nerves that branch off from the spinal cord and extend to all parts of the body.

Question 2

What is the difference between afferent and efferent neurons?

Answer 2

Afferent neurons - are neurons whose axons travel towards (or bringing information to) a central point.

Efferent neuron - is a cell that sends an axon (or carries information) away from a central point.

Question 3

What is receptor theory?

Answer 3

Drugs act through receptors to initiate a response or prevent a response.

Question 4

What is the difference between adrenergic agonist, adrenergic antagonist, cholinergic agonist, and cholinergic antagonist?

Answer 4

Adrenergic agonist (sympathomimetic) - It stimulate the SNS.

Adrenergic antagonist (sympatholytic) - It inhibit the SNS.

Cholinergic agonist (para-sympathomimetic) - It stimulate the PNS.

Cholinergic antagonist (para-sympatholytic) - It inhibit the PNS.

Question 5

How would you explain the pharmacologic effect of autonomic drugs?

Answer 5

When autonomic drugs are given, the goal is not o treat an autonomic disorder, it is to correct disorders of target organs through autonomic nerves.

Question 6

What is the difference between catecholamines and non-catecholamines?

Answer 6

Catecholamines - has a catechol ring and amines

Non-catecholamines - has no catechol ring

Question 7

Epinephrine

Answer 7

Receptor - A1, A2, B1, B2

Therapeutic use - cardiac arrest; asthma

Question 8

Pseudoephedrine; phenylephrine

Answer 8

Receptor - A1, B2

Therapeutic use - nasal decongestant

Question 9

Isoproterenol

Answer 9

Receptor - B1, B2

Therapeutic use - increase heart rate, force of contraction and conduction

Question 10

Dobutamine

Answer 10

Receptor - B1

Therapeutic use - increases heart rate, force of contraction in heart failure, shock

Question 11

Albuterol

Answer 11

Receptor - B2

Therapeutic use - asthma/COPD

Question 12

Phentolamine, Phenoxybenzamine

Answer 12

Receptor - A1, A2

Therapeutic use - Hypertension

Question 13

Tamsulosin, Alfuzosin

Answer 13

Receptor - A1

Therapeutic use - BPH - urinary relief

Question 14

Timolol (1st gen)

Answer 14

Receptor - B1, B2

Therapeutic use - glaucoma, decrease intraocular pressure

Question 15

What is the therapeutic use of Acetylcholine?

Answer 15

Non-specific cholinergic effect, decreases CO, HR, BP, increase GI activity

Question 16

What is the therapeutic use of Pilocarpine?

Answer 16

Constricts pupil, decrease IOP for acute glaucoma

Question 17

Edrophonium

Answer 17

Duration - 10 to 20min

Therapeutic use - diagnosis of M

Question 18

Physostigmine

Answer 18

Duration - 30min to 2hrs

Therapeutic use - overdose of atropine

Question 19

What are the therapeutic use of Scopolamine?

Answer 19

Motion sickness, post op nausea and vomiting as patches

Question 20

What are the therapeutic use of Ipratropium?

Answer 20

COPD, rhinorrhea as inhalation to brochodilate and decrease secretion