Adrenergic Pharmacology
Adrenergic Pharmacology deals with Adrenergic neurons in the periphery are postganglionic sympathetic neurons whose cell bodies lie in sympathetic ganglia.
They generally have long axons which end in a series of varicosities strung along the branching terminal network. These varicosities contain numerous synaptic vesicles, which are absent in other parts of the neuron and they represent the sites of synthesis and release of nor-epinephrine.
The synaptic vesicles of adrenergic neurons are larger and more granular than in other neurons, and these large electron-dense core vesicles are the storage organelles for catecholamines, which are released by exocytosis.
Drugs acting on adrenergic nervous system
- Two groups:
- Adrenergic agonists (sympathomimetic)
- Adrenergic antagonists (sympatholytic)
Adrenergic agonists drugs produce actions similar to that of adrenaline and noradrenaline and hence their pharmacological effects are similar to those observed when sympathetic nerve is stimulated. These are also called sympathomimetic drugs.
Anti adrenergic drugs are those drugs that interfere with the actions of sympathetic nervous system stimulation. These drugs are also called sympatholytic drugs.
Adrenergic Pharmacology index
- Adrenergic receptors
- Catecholamines
- Difference between Catecholamine and non-catecholamine drugs
- Adrenaline or Epinephrine
- Nor-adrenaline or Nor-epinephrine
- Dopamine
- Isoprenaline
- Amphetamine
- Ephedrine
- Adrenergic agonists
- Adrenergic antagonists
- Adrenergic neuron blocking drugs
