Adrenergic antagonists

Adrenergic Antagonists

Adrenergic antagonists (pronunciation: ad-ren-er-jik an-tag-o-nists), also known as adrenergic blockers or alpha/beta blockers, are a class of drugs that inhibit the action of adrenaline (epinephrine) and noradrenaline (norepinephrine) on adrenergic receptors.

Etymology

The term "adrenergic" is derived from the Latin ad (towards) and renes (kidneys), referring to the adrenal glands located above the kidneys, which produce adrenaline. "Antagonist" comes from the Greek antagonistes, meaning "opponent" or "rival".

Types of Adrenergic Antagonists

Adrenergic antagonists can be classified into two main types: alpha blockers and beta blockers.

• Alpha blockers inhibit the action of adrenaline and noradrenaline on alpha adrenergic receptors. They are used to treat conditions such as hypertension and benign prostatic hyperplasia.
• Beta blockers inhibit the action of adrenaline and noradrenaline on beta adrenergic receptors. They are used to treat conditions such as angina, hypertension, heart failure, and anxiety.

Related Terms

• Adrenergic receptors: Proteins located on the cells of the sympathetic nervous system that respond to adrenaline or noradrenaline.
• Adrenaline: A hormone and neurotransmitter also known as epinephrine.
• Noradrenaline: A hormone and neurotransmitter also known as norepinephrine.
• Sympathetic nervous system: Part of the autonomic nervous system that increases heart rate, constricts blood vessels, and raises blood pressure.

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