Cholinergic and Adrenergic Drugs Flashcards
What are the 2 divisions of the nervous system?
- Central Nervous System
2. Peripheral Nervous System
What makes up the central nervous system?
The brain and spinal cord.
What makes up the peripheral nervous system?
The autonomic and somatic divisions.
Somatic Nervous System
Voluntary (skeletal muscles)
Autonomic Nervous System
Involuntary (organs)
What are the 2 divisions of the autonomic nervous system?
- Parasympathetic Nervous System
2. Sympathetic Nervous System
What does the parasympathetic division mean?
Rest and digest.
What does the sympathetic division mean?
Fight or flight.
Constricting pupils is a feature of which division?
Parasympathetic
Salivation occurs with which division?
Parasympathetic
Slowed heart rate occurs in which division?
Parasympathetic
Constricted breathing is a feature of which division?
Parasympathetic
Increased digestion is a feature of which division
Parasympathetic
Stimulated gallbladder is a feature of which division?
Parasympathetic
Contracted bladder is a feature of which division
Parasympathetic
Stimulated sex organs is a feature of which division?
Parasympathetic
Dilated pupils is a feature of which division?
Sympathetic
Inhibited salivation is a feature of which division?
Sympathetic
Accelerated heart rate is a feature of which division?
Sympathetic
Facilitated breathing is a feature of which division?
Sympathetic
Inhibited digestion is a feature of which division?
Sympathetic
The release of glucose by the liver is a feature of which division?
Sympathetic
The release of epinephrine and norepinephrine by the adrenal glands is a feature of which division?
Sympathetic
Relaxation of the bladder is a feature of which division?
Sympathetic
Inhibition of sex organs is a feature of which division?
Sympathetic
What division do cholinergic drugs act on?
Parasympathetic
What division to adrenergic drugs act on?
Sympathetic
Acetylcholine
A major neurotransmitter in the cholinergic system
Where is acetylcholine released from, where does it bind to, and what is its function?
Acetylcholine is released from nerve endings, it binds to receptors on cell membranes and causes muscle contractions.
What receptor subtypes are found in the cholinergic system?
Nicotinic and Muscarinic receptors
Agonist Drugs
Mimic the effects of the neurotransmitters naturally found in the human body.
Antagonist Drugs
Block the brain’s receptors
Nicotinic Receptors
Used for skeletal muscle contraction.
What is a function of nicotinic receptor blockers?
Undergoing surgery - relaxes your muscles
Muscarinic Receptors
Used in the heart, exocrine glands, and the smooth muscles.
How do the muscarinic receptors affect the heart?
Bradycardia
How do the muscarinic receptors affect the exocrine glands?
Increases sweating, salivation, secretions, etc…
How do the muscarinic receptors affect the smooth muscles?
- contraction in the lungs
- increased motility in the GI tract
- contraction of the bladder
- vasodilation of the vascular system
Why might muscarinic receptor agonists be used?
- dry mouth
- urinary retention
- digestion aid
What does Bethanecol (Duvoid) do? What receptors does it act on? What class of drug is it?
Bethanecol (Duvoid) increases voiding, it acts on muscarinic receptors, and it is a cholinergic agonist.
Who is most susceptible to adverse affects associated with cholinergic agonists?
Children
What is the action of anticholinergic agents?
Used to block the effects of acetylcholine which blocks the effects of the parasympathetic nervous system.
What are some of the adverse effects of anticholinergic drugs?
Increased heart rate, decreased GI activity, decreased bladder function, pupil dilation, etc…
What does Atropine do? What receptors does it act on? What class of drug is it?
Atropine increases heart rate and dilates pupils before an eye exam. It inhibits the muscarinic receptors and is an anticholinergic.
What does Scopolamine do? What receptors does it act on? What class of drug is it?
Scopolamine decreases salivation, increases heart rate and treats motion sickness. It acts against muscarinic receptors and is an anticholinergic.
What should you monitor when taking cholinergic drugs?
Orthostatic hypotension because you’re decreasing blood pressure
What neurotransmitter is involved in the sympathetic nervous system?
Norepinephrine
What receptors are involved in the sympathetic nervous system?
Alpha 1, Alpha 2, Beta 1, Beta 2
What do Alpha 1 receptors stimulate?
- vasoconstriction
- decreased mobility of the GI tract
- decreased insulin production
- contractions of the pregnant uterus
What do Beta 1 receptors do?
- increase heart rate
- increase force of contraction
- increase renin release (+ BP)
What do Beta 2 receptors do?
- bronchodilation
- relaxation of the pregnant uterus
- decreased motility of the GI tract
What’s another name for adrenergic antagonists?
Sympatholytics
What does a selective drug mean?
Distinguishes between alpha 1 and alpha 2 or beta 1 and beta 2 and only acts on one of them, not both numbers.
What does a non-selective drug mean?
The drug acts on both alpha 1 and alpha 2 or beta 1 and beta 2 because it doesn’t specify what number it’s acting on.
What are some therapeutic applications of alpha 1 activation?
- Hemostasis/stop bleeding (vasoconstriction)
- nasal decongestion (mucosal vasoconstriction)
- elevate blood pressure (vasoconstriction)
What are some therapeutic applications of Beta 2 activation?
- asthma (bronchodilation)
- delay of preterm labour ( delay of preterm labour)
What does Ventolin do? What receptors does it act on? What class of drug is it?
Ventolin causes bronchodilation, it acts on beta 2 receptors and is adrenergic drug.
What do anti-adrenergic drugs do?
Block the effects of the sympathetic nervous system.
What does Prazosin (Minipress) do? What receptors does it act on? What class of drug is it?
Prazosin causes vasodilation, it blocks alpha 1 receptors, and it a anti-adrenergic drug.
What is First-dose phenomenon?
When the alpha 1 receptors are blocked, allowing the parasympathetic nervous system to predominate which causes vasodilation, hypotension, decreased blood flow to the brain and syncope after the first dose.
How can we prevent first dose phenomenon?
Use a lower dose for initial therapy and don’t give first dose a bedtime
What does Propranolol do? What receptors does it act on? What class of drug is it?
Propranolol decreases heart rate, treats heart attacks, heart failure and decreases BP. It is a beta blocker and is a adrenergic antagonist.
How do beta blockers mask the signs of hypoglycemia?
Increased heart rate is a sign of hypoglycemia and beta blockers decrease heart rate so you might not know that you’re experiencing hypoglycemia
