Adrenergic agonists
Adrenergic Agonists
Adrenergic agonists (pronunciation: ad-ren-er-jik a-go-nists) are a class of pharmacological agents that act as stimulants for the adrenergic receptors in the nervous system.
Etymology
The term "adrenergic agonists" is derived from the Greek words "adrenes" meaning 'near the kidney' and "ergon" meaning 'work'. The term "agonist" comes from the Late Latin word "agonista", meaning 'contestant'.
Function
Adrenergic agonists work by mimicking the action of adrenaline and noradrenaline, the body's natural neurotransmitters, at the adrenergic receptors. These receptors are part of the body's sympathetic nervous system, which controls the body's 'fight or flight' response.
Types
There are two main types of adrenergic agonists: alpha-adrenergic agonists and beta-adrenergic agonists. Alpha-adrenergic agonists primarily stimulate the alpha receptors, while beta-adrenergic agonists primarily stimulate the beta receptors.
Uses
Adrenergic agonists are used in the treatment of various medical conditions, including asthma, hypertension, and cardiac arrest. They can also be used to induce mydriasis (dilation of the pupils) during eye examinations.
Related Terms
- Adrenergic antagonists
- Adrenergic receptors
- Alpha-adrenergic agonists
- Beta-adrenergic agonists
- Sympathomimetic drugs
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Adrenergic agonists
- Wikipedia's article - Adrenergic agonists
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