Overview
The study of the sympathetic nervous system is
important from a clinical perspective. The SNS is
involved in controlling heart rate, contractility, blood
pressure, vasomotor tone, carbohydrate and fatty
acid metabolism etc. Stimulation of the SNS occurs in
response to physical activity, psychological stress,
allergies etc. Drugs influencing the SNS are used in
treatment of hypertension, shock, cardiac failure and
arrhythmias, asthma and emphysema, allergies and
anaphylaxis.
↓ 1
2. intake of
precursor
3. synthesis
4. storage
5. metabolism
6. release7. reuptake 8. degradation
9. receptor
Sites of Drug Action – Modulation of
Neurotransmission
Direct acting adrenergic drugs:
Sympathomimetics:
Drugs that mimic or facilitate the actions of the
sympatho-adrenal system.
a)Direct acting:
–Drugs that can act directly or specific adrenergic receptors
–Mimic the effects of NE and Epi
b)Indirect acting:
–Drugs that do not activate the adrenergic receptor directly
i.Facilitate release of NE
ii.Block neuronal uptake of NE
iii.Block metabolism of NE
Uterus:
relaxationβciliary muscle
contraction (mydriasis)α
1radial pupillary dilator
Eye:
relaxationα and βGI tract
relaxationβ
2non-pregnant
contraction
relaxation
α
1
β
2
pregnant
dilationβ
2Bronchiole
Other smooth muscle:
constriction or dilationα and β
2Skeletal muscle vessels
constrictionαSkin and splanchnic vessels
Vascular Smooth Muscle:
↑
heart rate
↑
force of contraction
β
1Heart
EffectReceptor typeLocation
↓
release of insulinαPancreas
lipolysisβ
1Adipose tissue
↑
glycogenolysis
↑
gluconeogenesis
β
2Liver
Metabolic effects:
increase secretionα and βSalivary glands
Exocrine glands:
Effect
Receptor
type
Location
Direct Acting Sympathomimetics:
Ahlquist designated the receptors as α or β based
on observations that catecholamines act on 2
principal receptors:
α
1
:
Epi ≥ NE >> INE
α
2
:
β
1
:INE > Epi = NE
β
2
:INE > Epi >> NE
Chemistry and Pharmacokinetics of
Sympathomimetics:
adverse reactions
1.local ischemia and necrosis
2.acute renal failure
contraindications
HT
In pregnant females, NE should not be
used because it stimulates alpha 1
receptors in the uterus that cause
contraction
Effect of NE to intact CVS
Mean arterial pressure
(MAP) = DBP + 1/3 of
(SBP-DBP)
a
1
, a
2
, b
1
metaraminol (aramine )
Mechanisms: 1.direct actions 2.indirect actions
Characteristics:
1.action is weaker and longer than NA
2.little adverse reactions: renal failure,
arrhythmias
3.stable, im.
4.tachyphylaxis
Uses: substitute for NA in treatment of shock
Epinephrine:
Dose-dependent effects:
α
β
Dose of epinephrine →
Effect of Epi to intact CVS
a
1
, a
2
, b
1
, b
2
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Time (relative)
EpiPBZ
Epi
M
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Epinephrine ReversalEpinephrine Reversal
phenoxybenzamine]
5.BP
Low doses: β-adrenergic effects predominate
↑ HR, vasodilation of vascular smooth muscle
in skeletal muscle, other smooth muscle
effects
High doses: α-adrenergic effects predominate
Vasoconstriction of blood vessels in skin and
peritoneal cavity
↑ BP and reflex slowing of the heart
(baroreceptor reflex)
clinical uses
1. Relief of bronchospasm
2. Relief of hypersensitivity reactions and
anaphylaxis
3. To prolong the duration of action of local
anesthetics.
4. As a topical hemostatic to control superficial
bleeding from skin and mucosae
5. To restore cardiac rhythm in patients with
cardiac arrest.
Adverse effects:
Extensions of their effects in the CVS and the
CNS
Anxiety, tenseness, headache and paranoia
tachycardia, dysrhythmias
Large dose IV – cerebral hemorrhage,
pulmonary edema
Route of administration:
Inhalation
Injection (IM, SC, IV), not PO
Topical application
Rapidly degraded
Adrenergic Drugs cont’d:
Ephedrine
Acts directly and indirectly
Acts on α and β receptors and causes release of NE
Less potent and longer acting than epinephrine
Available OTC
Orally administered
Clinical use
Bronchodilation
Nasal decongestant
α, β,DA-R agonists
dopamine (DA)
Pharmacokinetics:
ivd, MAO/COMT; short t
1/2
, not across BBB
pharmacological actions
activate DA, α, β
1
-R
Effect of DA to intact CVS
DA
1
, Beta
1
Moderate Dose
clinical uses
1.shock
2.chronic heart failure(CHF)
3.acute renal failure(ARF)
toxicity
high doses of DA is similar to that noted above
for NE. Since the drug has an extremely short
half life in plasma, DA toxicity usually disappear
quickly if the administration is terminated.
dobutamine
1.selective β
1
-R agonist
2.inotropic effect>chronotropic effect in
therapeutic dose
3.short-term treatment for CO↓
following cardiac surgery or CHF
caused by AMI
4.tachyphylaxis
Clinical Use of Adrenergic Agonists:
α – agonists:
Anaphylactic shock
Hypotension
Nasal congestion
Hemorrhage
Co-administration with local anesthetics
β – agonists:
Congestive heart failure – short term
Asthma – bronchial dilation
Tocolytic – stopping premature labour
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Time (relative)
EpiPBZ
Epi
M
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a
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A
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r
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P
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)
Epinephrine ReversalEpinephrine Reversal
phenoxybenzamine]
phentolamine (regitine)
pharmacological actions
1.vessels : vessels dilate; BP ↓
“adrenaline reversal ”
2.heart: excited, CO ↑ HR ↑
a. vessel relaxation>BP ↓, baroreflex (+)
b. alpha2 blockade , NE release↑
3.other effects: cholinergic action
histamine-like action
Clinical uses
1.peripheral vasospasmatic disorders
2.local vasoconstrictor excess (eg, NA)
3.diagnosis and treatment of
pheochromocytoma
4.shock
5.CHF and AMI
6.others: male sexual dysfunction
tolazoline
The action of blocking α
1
-R is more
weakly than regitine.
While cholinergic action and histamine-
like action are stronger than regitine.
phenoxybenzamine
Pharmacokinetics: only iv, high liposolubility
pharmacological actions:
similar to phentolamine, but slow, strong and
long. it also can block the receptors of 5-HT
and HA.
Prazosin
the prototype of a family of potent and very selective
alpha 1 receptor antagonists. It has 1000X greater
affinity for alpha 1 vs alpha 2 receptors.
It blocks all alpha one receptor subtypes
equipotently. It is a short acting drug with a duration
of action of about 7 to 10 hours. Prazosin causes a
decrease in total peripheral resistance, but not an
increase in heart rate (since alpha 2 receptors are not
inhibited).