Epinephrine, Norepinephrine, and Dopamine

Question 1

Epinephrine

Answer 1

• Catecholamine
• Cannot be taken orally
• Enzymes in the liver break it down super quick
• Brief duration of action
• Cannot cross the blood brain barrier
• Activates Alpha 1, Alpha 2, Beta 1, and Beta 2 receptors
• Alpha 1 mediated vasoconstriction
• Delays absorption of local anesthetics
• Control superficial bleeding
• Elevate blood pressure
• Beta 1 stimulation in the heart
• Overcome AV heart block
• Restore cardiac function following cardiac arrest
• Beta 2 stimulation in the lungs
• Bronchodilation
• Combo stimulation
• Epinephrine’s ability to stimulate four androgenic sub receptor types makes it useful for treating anaphylactic shock

Question 2

Norepinephrine

Answer 2

• Catecholamine
• Can’t cross BB
• Can’t be administered orally
• Brief duration of action
• Activation of A1, A2, and B1
• Similar effects as epinephrine, minus B2 activation
• No bronchodilation
• Really only ever used for…
• Hyptensive states: A1 activation
• Cardiac arrest: B1 activation

Question 3

Dopamine

Answer 3

• Catecholamine
• Brief duration of action
• Can’t cross BB
• Can’t be administere orally
• B1 and dopamine receptors, at hight doses A1
• Used primarily for shock
• B1 jumpstarts the heart
• Dopamine receptors on the kidnet dilates renal vessels, improving renal perfusion
• A1 can fuck everything up by causing vasoconstrictino, decreasing renal perfusion