Indirect Acting Adrenergic Agents Lecture PDF

Question 1

2 categories of indirect acting adrenergic agents and what is the net result of these drugs?

Answer 1

• adrenergic neuron blocking agents (drugs that act on terminals of synaptic neurons to decrease norepi release)
• centrally acting antiadrenergic agents (drugs that act within CNS to reduce flow of impulses along sympathetic nerves)

-net result is reduction in stimulation of peripheral adrenergic receptors

Question 2

Clonidine (catapres) drug class and mech of action

Answer 2

-CNS a2 adrenergic agonist

-Centrally acting antiadrenergic agent
whose effects result from stimulating a2 receptors in brain not in periphery, exerts inhibitory influence on regions of brain that regulate sympathetic activity resulting in reduction of sympathetic outflow to blood vessels and heart

Question 3

Clonidine therapeutic uses (3)

Answer 3

• hypertension
• menopausal flushing
• migraine headache

Question 4

Clonidine ADR’s (2)

Answer 4

• rebound hypertension (large increase in BP following abrupt withdrawal)
• drowsiness