Etafedrine

From WikiMD.org
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Etafedrine (pronounced: eh-tuh-fed-rin) is a pharmaceutical drug used primarily in the treatment of asthma and bronchitis. It is a bronchodilator and a vasodilator, meaning it widens the bronchi and blood vessels, respectively, to allow for easier airflow and blood flow.

Etymology

The term "Etafedrine" is derived from the Greek word "eta," meaning "seven," and "fedrine," a common suffix in the names of many pharmaceutical drugs. The "seven" in the name refers to the seven carbon atoms in the chemical structure of the drug.

Pharmacology

Etafedrine works by stimulating the adrenergic receptor, specifically the beta-2 adrenergic receptor. This stimulation causes the muscles lining the bronchi and blood vessels to relax, thereby widening these passages and allowing for easier airflow and blood flow.

Related Terms

  • Adrenergic receptor: A type of protein found in various types of cells in the body that responds to adrenaline or noradrenaline.
  • Bronchodilator: A substance that dilates the bronchi and bronchioles, decreasing resistance in the respiratory airway and increasing airflow to the lungs.
  • Vasodilator: A drug or other agent that causes the dilation (widening) of blood vessels.

See Also

External links

Esculaap.svg

This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.


Languages: - East Asian 中文, 日本, 한국어, South Asian हिन्दी, Urdu, বাংলা, తెలుగు, தமிழ், ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian Indonesian, Vietnamese, Thai, မြန်မာဘာသာ, European español, Deutsch, français, русский, português do Brasil, Italian, polski