Sr. No.

Category Drugs Action Receptor

1. Parasympathomimetics/ Esters of choline i) On Heart: Decrease in heart rate & M2
Cholinergic Drugs Acetylcholine force of contraction (-Ve
(Drugs that mimic Methacholine Chronotropic & -Ve Ionotropic M3
parasympathetic action) Carbacol effect) M3
Bethanecol ii) Blood vessels : vasodialation
Alkaloids: iii) On GIT: Increase in Secretions & Nm
Muscarine motility
Pilocarpine iv) On Skeletal Muscles: Increase in
Arecholine contraction
Choline esterase inhibitors v) On Eye: Contraction of Pupil
Neostigmine (Miosis)
Physostigmine
Organo-phosphorus compd.
DFP (diisopropyl flouro
phosphate)
OMPA (Octamethyl
pyrophosphotetramide)
2. Parasympatholytics/ Belladona Alkaloids On GIT: Decreased Contractions & M3
Anticholinergic drugs Atropine Secretion M2
(Drugs that blocks Scopolamine On Heart: Increase in heart rate
Muscarinic action of Hyoscine On Eyes: Dialation of pupils
Ach) Homatropine (Mydriasis)
Benztropine
3. Sympathomimetics/ Catechol amines Heart: Increased heart rate & force β1
Adrenergic Drugs Adrenaline of contraction (+ve chronotropic β2
(Drugs that mimic Nor-adrenaline effect & +Ve Ionotropic effect) β2
sympathetic action) Isoprenaline Skeletal blood vessels: Vasodilation α
Dopamine Bronchii: Bronchodilation
 Non-Catecholamines Peripheral blood vessels: α
Ephedrine vasoconstriction
Amphetamine Eyes: Mydriasis
4. Sympatholytics/ α-receptor blocker On heart: Decreased heart rate &
Adrenergic blockers Phentolamine decreased contractility
(Drugs that blocks Ergot alkaloids: ergotamine, GIT: Decreased salivary secretions
adrenergic action) ergosine, Ergotoxins Skeletal Muscles: Decreased
Chlorpromazine contractions
Tolazoline
β-receptor blocker
Propranolol
Sotalol
Atenolol
Labetalol
Timolol
Ganglion blockers:
Prempidine
Pentolinium
Macamylamine

THERAPEUTIC USES OF :

1) PARASYMPATHOMIMETICS (CHOLINERGIC DRUGS):

Neostigmine:

1. Glaucoma

2. Myasthenia gravis
3. Post operative paralytic ileus

4. Paroxysmal atrial tachycardia

2) PARASYMPATHOLYTICS (ANTI-CHOLINERGIC DRUGS):

1. Antispasmodic for colic, renal colic, urgency of micturition and for nocturnal enuresis

2. Peptic Ulcers

3. for Spasm of accommodation

4. to produce Mydriasis and Cycloplegia

5. As a preanaesthetic medication

6. Treatment of organophosphorus poisoning

7. Treatment of Parkinsonism

8. for reducing motion sickness

3) SYMPATHOMIMETICS (ADRENERGIC DRUGS):

Catechol amines (Adrenaline):

1. Anaphylaxis (Anaphylactic shock / hyper allergic conditions)

2. Bronchial Asthama

3. Heart Block and Cardiac arrest

4. Topical Haemostatic for nasal and gum bleeding

5. To prolong the effect of Anaesthetics

6. Nasal decongestant

Non-catechol amine (Ephedrine):

1. Bronchial Asthama

2. Nasal decongestant

3. Hypotension

4. Narcolepsy

5. Myasthenia gravis

6. Heart block – Stokes-adams syndrome

4) SYMPATHOLYTICS (ADRENERGIC BLOCKERS):

1. Angina pectoris

2. Cardiac arrhythmia

3. Hypertension

4. Pheochromocytoma

-RAVINDRA KARANDE

-Lecturer, SJIPR