Sympathomimetic

Sympathomimetic drugs are a class of medications that are used to stimulate the sympathetic nervous system. They are also known as adrenergic agonists and are used to treat a variety of conditions including asthma, cardiac arrest, and low blood pressure.

Mechanism of action

Sympathomimetic drugs work by mimicking the actions of the neurotransmitters epinephrine and norepinephrine. These neurotransmitters are responsible for the 'fight or flight' response in the body, which includes increasing heart rate, constricting blood vessels, and opening airways.

Uses

Sympathomimetic drugs are used in a variety of medical conditions. They can be used to treat asthma by opening the airways, to treat cardiac arrest by increasing heart rate, and to treat low blood pressure by constricting blood vessels.

Side effects

Like all medications, sympathomimetic drugs can have side effects. These can include palpitations, tachycardia, anxiety, and headache. It is important to monitor patients closely when these medications are used.

Examples

Examples of sympathomimetic drugs include epinephrine, norepinephrine, dopamine, and isoproterenol.

See also

• Adrenergic receptor
• Sympathetic nervous system
• Parasympathomimetic drug

Sympathomimetic Resources
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