Question | Answer |
What type of drug is epinephrine and for what use? | Parenteral adrenergic for cardiovascular use |
What type of drug is norepinephrine and for what use? | Parenteral adrenergic for cardiovascular use |
What type of drug is dopamine and for what use? | Parenteral adrenergic for cardiovascular use |
Which receptors does epinephrine bind to and activate? | Alpha, beta1, and beta2 adrenergic receptors |
What type of drug is pseudoephedrine and for what use? | Adrenergic decongestant |
What type of drug is albuterol and for what use? | Adrenergic bronchodilator, specifically a beta2-adrenergic agonist |
What type of drug is salmeterol and for what use? | Adrenergic bronchodilator, specifically a beta2-adrenergic agonist |
Would salmeterol be a good choice to treat acute asthma symptoms? Why or why not? | No. It has a slower onset of action (10-25 minutes). A rapid-acting inhaled beta-adrenergic bronchodilator should be used for relief of acute asthma attacks, such as albuterol. |
What are two adrenergics found in natural products? | Ephedra (also known as ma huang) and bitter orange |
Which natural product for weight loss with adrenergic action was banned by the FDA, but is widely available illegally? | Ephedra |
Adrenergics are drugs that act like ______________ in that they bind to adrenergic receptors and cause physiological actions. | Catecholemines |
What are two other names for adrenergics? | Sympathomimetics or adrenergic agonists |
Why shouldn't you use pseudoephedrine if you have hypertension? | It constricts blood vessels (it is a sympathomimetic). |
Why is albuterol a better choice for an asthma attack than epinephrine, even though epinephrine is also a bronchodilator? | Albuterol is specifically a beta2 agonist whereas epinephrine stimulates alpha, beta1, and beta2 receptors so it would have more side effects, such as on the heart. |
Would you see the suffix -mimetic on an agonist or an antagonist? | Agonist |
Would you see the suffix -blocker on an agonist or an antagonist? | Antagonist |
Would you see the suffix -lytic on an agonist or an antagonist? | Antagonist |
Name two types of illegal drugs that are classified as adrenergics. | Amphetamines and cocaine |
What is the mechanism of action of adrenergics? | They bind to adrenergic receptors (alpha, beta-1, and beta-2) and stimulate them. |
What is the effect of SNS stimulation on heart rate (the chronotropic effect)? Alpha, beta-1, or beta-2 affect? | Positive chronotropic affect. Beta-1. |
What is the effect of SNS stimulation on myocardial contractility (the inotropic effect)? Alpha, beta-1, or beta-2 effect? | Positive inotropic affect. Beta-1. |
What is the clinical effect of adrenergics on heart rate? | Tachycardia (which increases O2 demand--may get angina) |
What is the clinical effect of adrenergics on myocardial contractility? | Palpitations (heart pounding in chest) |
What is the effect of SNS stimulation on conduction velocity in the heart (dromotropic effect)? Alpha, beta-1, or beta-2 effect? | Positive dromotropic effect. Beta-1. |
What is the clinical effect of adrenergics on conduction velocity in the heart? | Increased risk of cardiac dysrhythmias. |
What is the effect of SNS stimulation on cardiac output? Alpha, beta-1, or beta-2 effect? | Increased cardiac output. Beta-1. |
What is the effect of SNS stimulation on the arterioles in skin and mucous membranes? Alpha, beta-1, or beta-2 effect? | Constriction of arterioles. Alpha. |
What is the clinical effect of adrenergics on the arterioles in skin and mucous membranes? | Causes paleness |
What is the effect of SNS stimulation on peripheral vascular resistance? Alpha, beta-1, or beta-2 effect? | Increased PVR. Alpha. |
What is the clinical effect of adrenergics on peripheral vascular resistance? | Increased blood pressure |
How does hypertension cause angina? | Raised BP increases afterload. If heart is lacking O2 you get angina in someone with coronary atherosclerosis. Someone with a pre-existing heart condition should be careful with cold meds, weight loss meds, etc. |
What two factors do you multiply to get blood pressure? | Cardiac output and peripheral vascular resistance |
What is the effect of SNS stimulation on the secretion of renin? | Renin secretion is increased |
How does the secretion of renin contribute to increased blood pressure? | Leads to increased angiotensin I and II, increased aldosterone and fluid. Angiotensin II causes increased vasoconstriction. |
What is the effect of SNS stimulation on secretions in the G.I. tract? | Decreased G.I. secretions |
What is a clinical effect of adrenergics on secretions in the mouth? | Dry mouth. (Dentures might not fit or could rub.) |
What is the effect of SNS stimulation on sphincters in the G.I. tract? | Constriction |
What is the effect of SNS stimulation on the motility of the G.I. tract? | Decreased motility |
What is a possible clinical effect of adrenergics due to the decreased motility of the G.I. tract? | Nausea and vomiting |
What is the effect of SNS stimulation on blood glucose? | Increased blood glucose |
What is the effect of SNS simulation on the bronchioles? Alpha, beta-1, or beta-2? | Bronchodilation. Beta-2. |
What is the clinical effect of adrenergics on the bronchioles? | Open airways. Easier to breathe. |
What is the clinical effect of adrenergics on blood glucose? | Hyperglycemia, poor glucose control in diabetics |
What is the effect of SNS stimulation on the muscle of the urinary bladder (detrusser)? | It relaxes |
What is the effect of SNS stimulation on the urinary sphincter? | It constricts |
What is the clinical effect of urinary bladder muscle relaxation and urinary sphincter construction from adrenergics? | Urinary hesitancy or retention |
What is the effect of SNS stimulation on the size of pupils? Does this accommodate for near or far vision? | Dilation (mydriasis). Far vision. |
What is the clinical effect of adrenergics on vision? | Blurred vision for close reading. |
What is the effect of SNS stimulation on fat (storage or breakdown)? | Breakdown (lipolysis). |
What is the clinical effect of adrenergics on body fat? | Weight loss, elevated FFA in blood, can increase body temperature. |
What is the effect of SNS stimulation on potassium levels? | It causes potassium to move into cells. |
What is the clinical effect of adrenergics on potassium levels? | Transient hypokalemia (low plasma potassium). Hypokalemia causes skeletal muscle weakness and cardiac dysrhythmias. |
What are the adrenergic effects in the brain? | Increased alertness, possibly insomnia. Can cause restlessness, irritability, or anxiety. |