Adrenergic Drugs Overview

Study Notes

Adrenergic drugs mimic or enhance the sympathetic nervous system's effects, specifically the actions of epinephrine and norepinephrine.
Adrenergic receptors are distributed as follows:
- α1: Arterioles (coronary, visceral, cutaneous), veins, internal sphincters, iris dilator muscle
- α2: Presynaptic membrane, pancreas, veins, adipose tissue, GIT sphincters, salivary glands
- β1: Heart (SA node, atrial muscle, AV node, ventricles), kidney (β1 apparatus), adipose tissue
- β2: Arterioles (muscular), veins, bronchi (muscles), liver, pancreas, uterus, iris constrictor muscle
- β3: Adipose tissue, urinary bladder

Hemostasis: Used to induce vasoconstriction and control bleeding during surgical procedures (e.g., epinephrine, norepinephrine)
Hypotension Treatment: Used to raise blood pressure in cases of hypotension during surgery (e.g., phenylephrine, dopamine)

Bronchodilators like albuterol and salmeterol open airways.
Facilitate breathing during surgeries, especially those involving the respiratory system.

Adding adrenergic agonists (e.g., epinephrine) to local anesthetics prolongs anesthesia by constricting blood vessels and slowing anesthetic absorption.

Inhibit the actions of the sympathetic nervous system and its neurotransmitters (e.g., epinephrine, norepinephrine).
Act on adrenergic receptors, leading to:
- Decreased heart rate
- Lowered blood pressure
- Reduced heart contractility
Used to manage conditions like hypertension, certain heart rhythm disorders, and anxiety.

Blood Pressure Control: Used to manage and control high blood pressure during and after surgery (e.g., beta-blockers like propranolol and metoprolol).

Help manage pre-operative anxiety and stress, promoting a smoother surgical experience for the patient.
Medication like propranolol can be used for this purpose.