Pharmacology

Front 1

What are key characteristics of the sympathetic nervous system?

Back 1

- Adrenergic system
- primary neurotransmitters are norepinephrine, epinephrine, and dopamine
- "fight or flight" - speeds up many physiological responses to internal or external stress

Front 2

What are key characteristics of the parasympathetic nervous system?

Back 2

- Cholinergic system
- primary neurotransmitter is acetylcholine
- " rest and digest" - slows down many physiological responses to maintain homeostasis

Front 3

What are the 4 Categories of drugs that influence the ANS?

Back 3

1. Adrenergic Agonists (sympathomimetics)
2. Adrenergic Antagonists (sympatholytics)
3. Cholinergic Agonists (parasympathomimetics/ acetylcholinesterase inhibitors)
4. Cholinergic Antagonists (parasympatholytics)

Front 4

What are Adrenergic Agonist Drugs (sympathomimetics)?

Back 4

- Mimic norepinephrine, epinephrine, and/or dopamine
- Act on one or more adrenergic receptor sites: alpha1, alpha2, beta1, beta2, and dopaminergic

Front 5

How are drug actions related with regard to the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems?

Back 5

- When drug is given to stimulate sympathetic system, parasympathetic system is inhibited, and vice versa

Front 6

What happens when alpha1 receptors are stimulated by Adrenergic Agonist drugs?

Back 6

- Norepinephrine, epinephrine, and/or dopamine are released
- The force of the cardiac contraction is increased and the arterioles vasoconstrict which increases BP
- Venules vasoconstrict which increases blood return to the heart
- Pupils dilate, urinary bladder and the bladder neck contracts, salivation decreases and dry mouth occurs

Front 7

What happens when alpha2 receptors are stimulated by Adrenergic Agonist drugs?

Back 7

- Release of norepinephrine and/or epinephrine is inhibited
- Blood pressure is decreased
- Mechanism of homeostasis to avoid excess stimulation by norepinephrine and epinephrine

Front 8

What happens when beta1 receptors are stimulated by Adrenergic Agonist drugs?

Back 8

- Norepinephrine, epinephrine, and/or dopamine are released
- The force of the cardiac contraction and the heart rate are increased
- Increased release of renin from kidneys -> increases angiotensin level in blood and raises BP
- Intra-ocular pressure is increased

Front 9

What happens when beta2 receptors are stimulated by Adrenergic Agonist drugs?

Back 9

- Epinephrine is released
- Bronchioles are dilated and GI and uterine relaxation occurs
- Blood sugar rises due to glycogenolysis in the liver

Front 10

What happens when dopaminergic receptors are stimulated by Adrenergic Agonist Drugs?

Back 10

- Coronary, renal, and visceral arterial vessels are dilated to supply oxygenated blood to these organs
- Peripheral arterial vessels are vasoconstricted to shunt blood from the extremities to major organs
- ONLY dopamine stimulates these receptors