Introduction to Adrenergic Antagonists
Adrenergic antagonists, also known as adrenergic blockers, are a class of drugs that block the effects of adrenaline and noradrenaline. They work by binding to adrenergic receptors, preventing these neurotransmitters from activating the receptors.
There are two main types of adrenergic antagonists:
- α-blockers: These target α-adrenergic receptors and are used to treat conditions like hypertension and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
- β-blockers: These target β-adrenergic receptors and are used to treat conditions like hypertension, angina, and certain arrhythmias.
Key points about adrenergic antagonists:
- Mechanism of Action: They competitively bind to adrenergic receptors, preventing the natural ligands (epinephrine and norepinephrine) from binding and exerting their effects.
- Selectivity: Some antagonists are selective for specific receptor subtypes (e.g., β1-selective blockers), while others are non-selective.
- Clinical Uses: They are used to treat a variety of conditions, including hypertension, angina, heart failure, anxiety disorders, and glaucoma.
- Side Effects: Can include fatigue, dizziness, and in some cases, bronchospasm or sexual dysfunction, depending on the specific drug and its selectivity.
Explore the other tabs to learn more about how these drugs work and their clinical applications.