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Autonomic drugs
 Drugs that exerts pharmacological effects simulating activation,
intensification or inhibition of either the
sympathetic/parasympathetic nervous system have been historically
referred to as autonomic drugs.
classification
 sympathomimetic
 sympatholytic
 parasympathomimetic
 parasympatholytic
Classifications
 sympathomimetic  adrenergic
 adrenomimetic
 sympatholytic  receptor blocking effects
 neuronal blocking effects
 parasympathomimetic  cholinergic
 cholinomimetic
 parasympatholytic  receptor blocking effects
 neuronal blocking effects
catecholamines catecholamines CATECHOLAMINES

Direct acting Activate Adrenergic

sympatho nerves are
receptor not
mimetic of required for
amines effector their effect.
cells
 CATECHOLAMINES
 Norepinephrine – alpha agonist property
 Epinephrine – mixed acting (alpha & beta agonist)
 Isoproterenol – selective beta agonist
 Dopamine – immediate precursor of NE
ADRENERGIC/SYMPATHOMIMETIC DRUGS
 Amine substances that causes physiologic response similar to those
evoked by the endogenous adrenergic mediators viz Epinephrine &
Norepinephrine are known as ADRENERGIC DRUGS
 SYMPATHOMIMETIC = pharmacologic effect mimic sympathetic
nervous system
clinically relevant adrenergic agonist

pharmacological action.

receptor activation.
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Adrenoceptors / adrenergic receptors

• adrenoceptors are macro molecular structure localized on/within

the surface membrane of cells innervated by adrenergic neurons
• basic physiological function is to recognize & interact with
endogenous adrenergic mediators viz : Adr, Noradr.
• adrenergic receptors are membrane bound G protein coupled
receptors which functions primarily by increasing / decreasing the
intracellular production of secondary messengers cAMP, IP3, DAG.
Organs Alpha action Beta action
Arterioles & veins Vasoconstriction = rise in BP Vasodilation = fall in BP

Heart Arrhythmia @ higher dose Positive inotropic, positive

chronotropic
Radial muscle of iris Mydriasis Relaxation of ciliary muscles
aqueous secretion aqueous secretion

Urinary bladder contraction relaxation

Uterus contraction Relaxation

Splenic capsule Contraction Relaxation

Insulin Secretion inhibited Augumented insulin

Glucagon Secretion
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