Adrenergic agonist
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An adrenergic is a drug, or other substance, which has effects similar to, or the same as, epinephrine (adrenaline). Thus, they are a kind of sympathomimetic agents. Alternatively, it may refer to something which is susceptible to epinephrine, or similar substances, such as a biological receptor (specifically, the adrenergic receptors).
Beta blockers block the action of epinephrine and norepinephrine in the body. Adrenergic drugs either stimulate a response (agonists) or inhibit a response (antagonists). The five categories of adrenergic receptors are: α1, α2, β1, β2, and β3, and agonists vary in specificity between these receptors, and may be classified respectively. However, there are also other mechanisms of adrenergic agonism. Epinephrine and norepinephrine are endogenous and broad-spectrum. More selective agonists are more useful in pharmacology.
Contents
[edit] Mechanisms
[edit] Direct action
[edit] Indirect action
[edit] Mixed action
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
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