Receptor agonist

Receptor agonist is a type of ligand that binds to a receptor and activates it to produce a biological response. This is in contrast to receptor antagonists, which bind to receptors but do not activate them. Receptor agonists are often used in pharmacology to mimic the effects of naturally occurring substances.

Mechanism of action

Receptor agonists work by binding to specific receptors on the surface of cells. This binding triggers a change in the receptor's shape, which allows it to interact with other molecules inside the cell. This interaction can lead to a variety of effects, depending on the type of receptor and the cell in which it is located.

There are two main types of receptor agonists: full agonists and partial agonists. Full agonists are able to fully activate the receptor and produce a maximal response, while partial agonists can only partially activate the receptor and produce a sub-maximal response.

Therapeutic uses

Receptor agonists are used in a variety of therapeutic contexts. For example, opioid agonists such as morphine are used to treat severe pain, while beta-2 adrenergic receptor agonists such as albuterol are used to treat asthma. Other examples of receptor agonists include insulin, which is used to treat diabetes, and dopamine agonists, which are used to treat Parkinson's disease.

Side effects

Like all drugs, receptor agonists can have side effects. These can vary widely depending on the specific drug and the individual patient, but can include nausea, dizziness, and changes in heart rate or blood pressure. In some cases, receptor agonists can also lead to tolerance and dependence, particularly in the case of opioid agonists.

See also

• Receptor antagonist
• Inverse agonist
• Allosteric modulator