30
Adrenergic agonists
Learning objectives
Upon completion of this chapter, you should be able to:
1.
Describe two ways that sympathomimetic drugs act to produce effects at adrenergic receptors.
2.
Describe the therapeutic actions, indications, pharmacokinetics, contraindications, most common adverse
reactions and important drug–drug interactions associated with adrenergic agonists.
3.
Discuss the use of adrenergic agents across the lifespan.
4.
Compare and contrast the prototype drugs dopamine, phenylephrine and isoprenaline with other adrenergic
agonists.
5.
Outline the care considerations, including important teaching points, for people receiving an adrenergic
agent.
Glossary of key terms
adrenergic agonist:
a drug that stimulates the adrenergic receptors of the sympathetic nervous system, either directly (by reacting
with receptor sites) or indirectly (by increasing noradrenaline levels)
α-agonist:
specifically stimulating to the α-receptors within the sympathetic nervous system, causing body responses seen when the
α-receptors are stimulated
β-agonist:
specifically stimulating to the β-receptors within the sympathetic nervous system, causing body responses seen when
the β-receptors are stimulated
glycogenolysis:
breakdown of stored glucose to increase the blood glucose levels
sympathomimetic:
drug that mimics the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) with the signs and symptoms seen when the SNS is
stimulated
Test your current knowledge of adrenergic agonists with a PrepU Practice Quiz!
ALPHA- AND BETA-
ADRENERGIC AGONISTS
adrenaline
dobutamine
dopamine
ephedrine
metaraminol
noradrenaline
ALPHA-SPECIFIC ADRENERGIC
AGONISTS
clonidine (alpha
2
-specific)
phenylephrine
BETA-SPECIFIC ADRENERGIC
AGONISTS (Also see beta-
adrenergic agonists in
Chapter 55)
isoprenaline
salbutamol
salmeterol
terbutaline
