Competitive antagonist
Competitive antagonist
A Competitive antagonist (pronunciation: /kəmˈpetɪtɪv æntəˈɡɒnɪst/) is a type of pharmacological agent that competes with agonists for binding to the same receptor.
Etymology
The term "Competitive antagonist" is derived from the English words "competitive", meaning "as good as or better than others of a comparable nature", and "antagonist", which in pharmacology refers to a substance that interferes with or inhibits the physiological action of another.
Mechanism of Action
Competitive antagonists bind to the same receptor site as the agonist, but without activating the receptor. This prevents the agonist from binding and exerting its effect. The presence of a competitive antagonist reduces the potency of the agonist, shifting its dose-response curve to the right.
Examples
Common examples of competitive antagonists include Atropine, which acts on muscarinic acetylcholine receptors, and Propranolol, a beta-adrenergic receptor antagonist.
Related Terms
- Agonist: A substance that initiates a physiological response when combined with a receptor.
- Receptor (biochemistry): 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.
- Atropine: A medication used to treat certain types of nerve agent and pesticide poisonings.
- Propranolol: A medication of the beta blocker type used to treat high blood pressure.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Competitive antagonist
- Wikipedia's article - Competitive antagonist
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