Antagonists

Antagonists

Antagonists (/ænˈtæɡənɪsts/) are a type of drug or other substance that inhibits the physiological actions of another, particularly a receptor antagonist.

Etymology

The term "antagonist" comes from the Greek word "antagonistes", which means "opponent" or "rival". In the context of pharmacology, it refers to a substance that counteracts the effects of another substance.

Types of Antagonists

There are several types of antagonists, including:

• Competitive antagonist: This type of antagonist binds to the same site as the agonist, but does not activate it. Instead, it blocks the agonist's access to the site.

• Non-competitive antagonist: This type of antagonist binds to a different site than the agonist. It changes the shape of the receptor and makes it less responsive to the agonist.

• Uncompetitive antagonist: This type of antagonist binds to the receptor only after the agonist has bound. It locks the receptor in a state that is less responsive to the agonist.

• Inverse agonist: This type of antagonist binds to the same receptor as the agonist and induces a pharmacological response opposite to that of the agonist.

Related Terms

• Agonist: A substance that initiates a physiological response when combined with a receptor.

• Receptor: A protein molecule that receives chemical signals from outside a cell.

• Pharmacology: The branch of medicine concerned with the uses, effects, and modes of action of drugs.

• Drug: A substance used in the diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of a disease or as a component of a medication.

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Antagonists
• Wikipedia's article - Antagonists

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