Autonomic Nervous System Drug Classes PDF

Autonomic Nervous System Drug Classes 1. Sympathomimetic (Adrenergic Agonists) Drugs that stimulate the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) Definition: by mimicking the effects of adrenaline (epinephrine) and noradrenaline (norepinephrine). Mechanism: Activate adrene...

Autonomic Nervous System Drug Classes 1. Sympathomimetic (Adrenergic Agonists) Drugs that stimulate the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) Definition: by mimicking the effects of adrenaline (epinephrine) and noradrenaline (norepinephrine). Mechanism: Activate adrenergic receptors (alpha and beta receptors). Examples: Epinephrine, Albuterol, Dobutamine. Uses: Treat asthma, cardiac arrest, and hypotension. 2. Sympatholytic (Anti-Adrenergic or Adrenergic Antagonists) Drugs that inhibit the sympathetic nervous system by Definition: blocking the effects of adrenaline and noradrenaline. Mechanism: Block adrenergic receptors (alpha and beta receptors). Examples: Propranolol (beta-blocker) and clonidine (alpha-2 agonist). Uses: Treat hypertension, anxiety, and heart arrhythmias. 3. Parasympathomimetic (Cholinergic Agonists) Drugs that stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system Definition: (PNS) by mimicking the effects of acetylcholine. Mechanism: Activate muscarinic or nicotinic receptors. Examples: Pilocarpine, Bethanechol. Uses: Treat glaucoma and urinary retention. 4. Parasympatholytic (Anti-Cholinergic or Anti-Muscarinic) Drugs that inhibit the parasympathetic nervous system by Definition: blocking the effects of acetylcholine. Mechanism: Block muscarinic receptors. Examples: Atropine, Ipratropium. Uses: Treat bradycardia, reduce salivation, and manage COPD. 5. Cholinergic (Related to Acetylcholine)  Definition: Pertaining to the actions of acetylcholine. Mechanism: Involves muscarinic or nicotinic receptors. Examples: Acetylcholine, Nicotine. Uses: Same as parasympathomimetics. 6. Anti-Muscarinic (Muscarinic Antagonists) Drugs that block the muscarinic acetylcholine receptors, Definition: thereby inhibiting the PNS. Mechanism: Compete with acetylcholine for muscarinic receptors. Examples: Scopolamine and oxybutynin. Uses: Treat motion sickness and overactive bladder. 7. Muscarinic (Related to Muscarinic Receptors) Pertaining he actions of muscarinic receptors (a type of Definition: cholinergic receptor). Mechanism: Activated by acetylcholine. Examples: Muscarine (found in some mushrooms) and bethanechol. Uses: Stimulate PNS actions, such as increasing salivation or bladder contraction. 8. Beta Agonists (Beta-Adrenergic Agonists) Definition: Drugs that specifically stimulate beta-adrenergic receptors. Mechanism: Activate beta-1, beta-2, or beta-3 adrenergic receptors. Examples: Albuterol (beta-2 agonist) and dobutamine (beta-1 agonist). Uses: Treat asthma (bronchodilation), and heart failure (increase cardiac output). 9. Beta Antagonists (Beta Blockers) Definition: Drugs that block beta-adrenergic receptors. Mechanism: Inhibit beta-1, beta-2, or beta-3 adrenergic receptors. Examples: Propranolol (non-selective beta-blocker) and atenolol (beta-1 selective blocker). Uses: Treat hypertension, angina, and heart arrhythmias.  Summary Table Drug Class Definition Mechanism Examples Uses Sympathomimetic Stimulate Activate Epinephrine, Asthma, cardiac arrest (Adrenergic Agonists) SNS adrenergic Albuterol receptors Sympatholytic Inhibit SNS Block Propranolol, Hypertension, anxiety (Anti-Adrenergic) adrenergic Clonidine receptors Parasympathomimetic Stimulate Activate Pilocarpine, Glaucoma, urinary (Cholinergic Agonists) PNS cholinergic Bethanechol retention receptors Parasympatholytic Inhibit PNS Block Atropine, Bradycardia, COPD (Anti-Cholinergic) muscarinic Ipratropium receptors Cholinergic Related to Involves Acetylcholine Same as Ach muscarinic/ni , Nicotine parasympathomimetics cotinic receptors Anti-Muscarinic Block Compete Scopolamine Motion sickness, muscarinic with , Oxybutynin overactive bladder receptors acetylcholine Muscarinic Related to Activated by Muscarine, Increase PNS actions muscarinic acetylcholine Bethanechol receptors  Stimulate Activate Albuterol, Asthma, heart failure Beta Agonists beta-adrener beta-1, Dobutamine gic receptors beta-2, or beta-3 receptors Block Inhibit Propranolol, Hypertension, angina Beta Antagonists beta-adrener beta-1, Atenolol gic receptors beta-2, or beta-3 receptors