Sympathomimetic drug
Sympathomimetic drug
A Sympathomimetic drug (pronunciation: sim-puh-tho-mim-uh-tik drug) is a type of medication that is used to stimulate the sympathetic nervous system.
Etymology
The term "Sympathomimetic" is derived from the Greek words "sympatheia" meaning "sympathy" and "mimesis" meaning "imitation". This refers to the drug's ability to mimic the actions of the sympathetic nervous system.
Definition
Sympathomimetic drugs are a class of medications that mimic the effects of neurotransmitters released by the sympathetic nervous system. These neurotransmitters include norepinephrine and epinephrine, also known as adrenaline.
Uses
Sympathomimetic drugs are used in a variety of medical conditions. They can be used to treat asthma, cardiac arrest, hypotension, and certain types of glaucoma. They can also be used to prolong the effects of anesthesia and to dilate the pupil during eye examinations.
Related Terms
- Adrenergic receptor: A type of receptor in the body that sympathomimetic drugs act on.
- Bronchodilator: A type of sympathomimetic drug that is used to treat asthma by dilating the bronchi and bronchioles in the lungs.
- Vasoconstrictor: A type of sympathomimetic drug that is used to constrict blood vessels and increase blood pressure.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Sympathomimetic drug
- Wikipedia's article - Sympathomimetic drug
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