Drugs that Affect the ANS Flashcards
Nicotinic agonists Example Sympathetic Effect Parasympathetic Effect Overall result
Example: Nicotine
Sympathetic Effect: Mimic ACh at preganglionic synapses, causing activation of postganglionic fibers and the release of norepinephrine onto the target organ
Parasympathetic Effect:Mimic ACh at preganglionic synapses, causing activation of postganglionic fibers and the release of ACh onto the target organ
Overall result:Most conflicting signals cancel each other out, but cardiovascular system is susceptible to hypertension and arrhythmias
Sympathomimetic drugs Example Sympathetic Effect Parasympathetic Effect Overall result
Example: Phenylephrine -common component of decongestants. It can also be used to dilate the pupil and to raise blood pressure
Sympathetic Effect:Bind to adrenergic receptors or mimics sympathetic action in some other way
Parasympathetic Effect: No effect
Overall result:Increase sympathetic tone
Sympatholytic drugs Example Sympathetic Effect Parasympathetic Effect Overall result
Example: β-blockers such as propanolol- treats high blood pressure or metaprolol - treats high blood pressure; α-blockers such as clonidine- anti-anxiety
Sympathetic Effect:Block binding to adrenergic drug or decrease adrenergic signals
Parasympathetic Effect:No effect
Overall result:Increase parasympathetic tone
Parasymphatho-mimetics/muscarinic agonists Example Sympathetic Effect Parasympathetic Effect Overall result
Example: Pilocarpine - treat disorders of the eye. It reverses mydriasis
Sympathetic Effect:No effect, except on sweat glands
Parasympathetic Effect:Bind to muscarinic receptor, similar to ACh
Overall result:Increase parasympathetic tone
Anticholinergics/muscarinic antagonists Example Sympathetic Effect Parasympathetic Effect Overall result
Example: Atropine, scopolamine, dimenhydrinate
Sympathetic Effect: No effect
Parasympathetic Effect: Block muscarinic receptors and parasympathetic function
Overall result:Increase sympathetic tone
A drug that affects both divisions of the autonomic system is going to bind to, or block, which type of neurotransmitter receptor?
a. nicotinic
b. muscarinic
c. α-adrenergic
d. β-adrenergic
A. Nicotinic
A drug is called an agonist if it ________.
a. blocks a receptor
b. interferes with neurotransmitter reuptake
c. acts like the endogenous neurotransmitter by binding to its receptor
d. blocks the voltage-gated calcium ion channel
C. Acts like the endogenous transmitter by binding to its receptor
Which type of drug would be an antidote to atropine poisoning?
a. nicotinic agonist
b. anticholinergic
c. muscarinic agonist
d. α-blocker
C.
Which kind of drug would have anti-anxiety effects?
a. nicotinic agonist
b. anticholinergic
c. muscarinic agonist
d. α-blocker
D
Which type of drug could be used to treat asthma by opening airways wider?
A.sympatholytic drug
B.sympathomimetic drug
C.anticholinergic drug
D.parasympathomimetic drug
B
parasympathomimetic drugs
drugs that enhance or mimic the function of the parasympathetic system
sympatholytic drug
drug that interrupts, or “lyses,” the function of the sympathetic system
sympathomimetic drug
drug that enhances or mimics the function of the sympathetic system
