EXAM #1: AUTONOMIC PHARMACOLOGY Flashcards
What is a selective direct acting adrenergic agonist?
- Direct acting= drug that directly agonizes an adrenergic receptor
- Selective= the drug is specific for a single type of adrenergic receptor e.g.alpha-1
What is a non-selective directing acting adrenergic agonist?
- Direct acting= drug that directly agonizes an adrenergic receptor
- Non-selective= drug is NOT specific for a single type of adrenergic receptor and can act on MULTIPLE types of adrenergic receptors
How will reserpine or guanethidine affect administration of a direct acting adrenergic agonist? What about cocaine?
- NO effect with reserpine or guanethidine
- Cocaine may potentiate the effects
What is a mix-acting adrenergic agonist?
Drugs that BOTH:
1) Increase the release of NE
2) Bind and activate adrenergic receptors
What drug is a mix-acting adrenergic agonist?
Ephedrine
How the the response of mixed-acting adrenergic agonists impacted by prior treatment by reserprine or guanethidine?
The response to the mixed agonist will be reduced compared to if it was given alone
What is an indirect acting adrenergic agonist? How will the response of an indirect-acting adrenergic agonist be impacted by prior treatment by reserprine or guanethidine?
Indirect agonist= drug that increases the AVAILABILITY of NE or Epi by a variety of methods
There will NOT be a response if there is pre-treatment with reserpine or guanethidine.
What are the three types of indirect-acting adrenergic agonists?
1) Releasing agents
2) Uptake inhibitors
3) MAO/COMT inhibitors
What class of drug is Phenylephrine?
Alpha-1 selective adrenergic receptor agonist
What are the clinical indications for Phenylephrine?
- Hypotension
- Rhinitis
- Paroxysmal atrial tachycardia
- As a Mydriatic
Why is Phenylephrine used for paroxysmal atrial tachycardia?
1) Causes an increase in mean BP
2) Reflex bradycardia will slow the atrial focus causing tachycardia
What are the alpha effects of Phenylephrine?
Activation of vascular smooth muscle increases BP and increase TPR
Note that there will be beta effects are high doses
List the alpha-2 selective adrenergic receptor agonists.
1) Clonidine
2) a-methyldopa
3) Apraclonidine
4) Brimonidine
What is the clinical indication for Clonidine and a-methyldopa?
Systemic hypertension
What is the clinical indication of apraclonidine and brimonidine?
Glaucoma
Note that despite being alpha-2 agonists, these drugs do NOT have a hypotensive effect
What is the mechanism of action of the alpha-2 selective adrenergic receptor agonists?
There are two mechanisms:
1) Activation of central alpha-2 receptors to decreases SNS outflow and blood pressure
2) Active alpha-2 receptors to decrease aqueous humor production and decrease intraocular pressure
What are the adverse effects of the alpha-2 selective adrenergic receptor agonists?
- Dry mouth (xerostomia)
- Sedation
- Hypotension
List the Beta-2 selective adrenergic receptor agonists.
Metaproterenol
Terbutaline
Albuterol
Ritodrine
What is the therapeutic use of metaproterenol?
1) Long-term treatment of obstructive airway disease, asthma
2) Acute bronchospasm
What are the characteristics specific to metaproterenol?
- Resistant to methylation by COMT
- B2 selective, but less than albuterol or terbutaline
What is the therapeutic use of Terbutaline?
1) Long-term treatment of obstructive airway disease
2) Acute bronchospasm
3) Emergency treatment of status asthmaticus (IV)
What are the characteristics specific to Terbutaline?
- Beta-2 selective
- NOT a substrate for COMT methylation
What is the therapeutic use of Albuterol?
1) Acute bronchospasm
2) Delay pre-term labor
What is the therapeutic indication for Ritodrine?
Uterine relaxation to:
1) Arrest premature labor
2) Prolong pregnancy