Drugs Affecting the Autonomic Nervous System

This set of vocabulary flashcards covers key drug classifications, receptor functions, and specific pharmacological agents affecting the Autonomic Nervous System, based on the lecture by Malena Jones PhD.

Sympathomimetic

A classification of autonomic nervous system drugs that act as adrenergic agonists.

Sympatholytic

A classification of autonomic nervous system drugs that act as adrenergic antagonists.

Parasympathomimetic

A classification of autonomic nervous system drugs that act as cholinergic agonists.

Parasympatholytic

Also known as anticholinergic or antimuscarinic drugs; these are cholinergic antagonists.

Alpha1 receptors

Adrenergic receptors that stimulate smooth muscle in the eyes, salivary glands, gastrointestinal tract, and genitourinary sphincters.

Alpha2 receptors

Adrenergic receptors located in smooth muscle that inhibit or reduce the release of norepinephrine (NE).

Beta1 receptors

Adrenergic receptors predominately in the heart, brain, kidney, and lipocytes that increase heart rate, renin release, and lipolysis.

Beta2 receptors

Adrenergic receptors in the smooth muscle of arterioles, bronchioles, liver, pancreas, and GI/GU systems that relax bronchial smooth muscle.

Clonidine

A central Alpha2 agonist used for hypertension, attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and the treatment of opioid withdrawal.

Selective Alpha1 Antagonists

Drugs like doxazosin and prazosin that relax smooth muscle and decrease blood pressure; used to treat hypertension and Benign prostatic hypertrophy.

Beta1 blockers (Cardioreceptor selective)

Drugs such as metoprolol and atenolol that decrease heart rate and myocardial contractility; used post-myocardial infarction.

Labetalol

A drug that blocks both beta1 and alpha1 receptors, resulting in decreased blood pressure and vasodilation.

Bethanechol

A direct muscarinic agonist that increases smooth muscle tone in the GI tract and increases bladder emptying in urinary retention.

DUMBBELSS

A mnemonic for cholinergic ADRs: Diarrhea, Urination, Miosis, Bronchospasm, Bradycardia, Excitation of skeletal muscle and CNS, Lacrimation, Sweating, and Salivation.

Cholinesterase Inhibitors

Indirectly acting drugs that block the AChE enzyme to prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine (ACh), allowing prolonged effects at cholinergic receptors.

Donepezil

A cholinesterase inhibitor that is the standard therapy for Alzheimer disease.

Pyridostigmine

A cholinesterase inhibitor used in the treatment of Myasthenia gravis.

Atropine

A cholinergic blocker (muscarinic antagonist) that increases heart rate and relaxes bronchial smooth muscle.

Scopolamine

A cholinergic blocker used to prevent nausea and vomiting associated with motion sickness.

Benztropine

A cholinergic blocker used as an adjunct treatment for Parkinson disease and to treat extrapyramidal disorders caused by neuroleptics.

Darifenacin

A cholinergic blocker used as an antispasmodic for bladder instability and overactivity.