Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Drugs Affecting The Autonomic Nervous System
Drugs Affecting The Autonomic Nervous System
Drugs Affecting The Autonomic Nervous System
Also known as
• adrenergic agonists or sympathomimetics
Synthetic:
• isoproterenol, dobutamine, phenylephrine
Direct-Acting Sympathomimetics
Indirect-Acting Sympathomimetics
Mixed-Acting Sympathomimetics
• Cardiovascular:
– palpitations (dysrhythmias), tachycardia,
vasoconstriction, hypertension
• Other:
– anorexia, dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, taste
changes (rare)
Copyright © 2002, 1998, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.
Adrenergic Agents: Side Effects
Beta-Adrenergic Effects
• CNS:
– mild tremors, headache, nervousness, dizziness
• Cardiovascular:
– increased heart rate, palpitations (dysrhythmias),
fluctuations in BP
• Other:
– sweating, nausea, vomiting, muscle cramps
Alpha-Blocker Mechanisms
Beta1 Receptors
• Located primarily on the heart
• Beta blockers selective for these receptors
are called cardioselective beta blockers
Beta2 Receptors
• Located primarily on smooth muscles
of bronchioles and blood vessels
Cardioselective (Beta1)
• Decreases heart rate
• Prolongs SA node recovery
• Slows conduction rate through the AV node
• Decreases myocardial contractility, thus
decreasing myocardial oxygen demand
• Antihypertensive
• Treatment of migraine headaches
• Glaucoma (topical use)