Question | Answer |
How do alpha blockers work? | they interrupt the actions of the catecholamines epinephrine and norepinephrine at the receptor sites |
What kind of actions would result from the use of an alpha blocker? | relaxation of blood vessel smooth muscle – vasodilation and decreased blood pressure |
What group of letters is common to the name ending of Alpha blockers? | Osin or Zosin |
Say terazosin | toe raise a sin |
Say tamsulosin | tam sue low sin |
Say Alfuzosin | Al few zoe sin |
Say Phenoxybenzamine | fin oxy bens uh mean |
Say Phentolamine | fin toll uh mean |
Say Prazosin | Praise sews zin |
Say Doxazosin | Docks says sews zin |
Name some common alpha blockers (AEPPPDTT). | Alfuzosin, ergoloid mesylates, phenoxybenzamine, phentolamine, prazosin, doxazosin, terazosin, tamulosin |
Explain the weird thing about the action of Ergotamine. | Ergotamine (ER-Gotta-Mean) is a mixed alpha agoninst/antagonist – it works as an alpha blocker at high doses |
How does absorption of alpha blockers by mouth compare with sublingual administration? | alpha blockers PO are absorbed erratically. Sublingual alpha blockers are absorbed more rapidly and completely. |
Explain the 2 ways in which alpha blockers work. | they can block the synthesis, storage, release, and reuptake of norepinephrine by neurons or they can antagonize epinephrine, norepinephrine, or adrenergic drugs at receptor sites |
Describe how the actions of alpha blockers affect blood vessels and blood pressure. | Alpha blockers occupy alpha receptor sites in blood vessels smooth muscles which prevents stimulation by catecholamines resulting in vasodilation, increased blood flow, and decreased peripheral vascular resistance |
Define sympathetic tone. | the state of partial constriction of blood vessels before an alpha blocker is administered |
Explain why standing up can cause a sudden drop in blood pressure if the client is taking an alpha blocker. Why doesn’t the same thing happen when the client is laying down? | sympathetic tone is low when lying, greater when standing. Since alpha blockers block the effect o epinephrine, if not much epinephrine is exerting effect then the administration of alpha blockers doesn’t create much change. |
What 3 actions of alpha blockers that make them therapeutically useful? | they relax smooth muscles and cause blood vessels to dilate, increase blood flow to skin and organs, and reduce blood pressure |
Name four conditions that alpha blockers are useful for. | benign prostatic hyperplasia, hypertension, peripheral vascular disorders with lack of peripheral blood flow like Raynaud’s, acrocyanosis, and frostbite; pheochromcytoma (super hypertension due to tumor) |
Considering the action of alpha blockers what do you expect would be the most common adverse effect? | hypotension |
Name two drugs that if taken in combination with ergotamine would increase its effects? | Caffeine and macrolide antibiotics |
What drug if combined with ergotamine would cause increased pressor (rising blood pressure) effect? | dopamine |
What’s the potential adverse effect of mixing nitroglycerine and alpha blockers? | hypotension from excessive dilation of blood vessels |
What are the potential adverse effects of alpha blockers? | orthostatic hypotension, rebound hypertension, bradycardia, tachycardia, edema, difficulty breathing, light headedness, flushing, arrhythmias, angina, heart attack, spasm of blood vessels in the brain, shock-like state |