View source for Adrenergic agonist

An '''adrenergic''' agent is a [[medication|drug]], or other substance, which has effects similar to, or the same as, [[epinephrine]] (adrenaline). Thus, it is a kind of [[sympathomimetic agent]]. Alternatively, it may refer to something which is susceptible to epinephrine, or similar substances, such as a biological [[receptor (biochemistry)|receptor]] (specifically, the [[adrenergic receptor]]s). 

[[Beta blocker]]s block the action of epinephrine and norepinephrine in the body.  Adrenergic drugs either stimulate a response (agonists) or inhibit a response (antagonists). The five categories of adrenergic receptors are: α<sub>1</sub>, α<sub>2</sub>, β<sub>1</sub>, β<sub>2</sub>, and β<sub>3</sub>, and agonists vary in specificity between these receptors, and may be classified respectively. However, there are also other mechanisms of adrenergic agonism. [[Epinephrine]] and [[norepinephrine]] are [[endogenous]] and broad-spectrum. More selective agonists are more useful in pharmacology.

==Mechanisms==
===Direct action===
* [[Alpha-adrenergic agonist]]
* [[Beta-adrenergic agonist]]

===Indirect action===
* [[Amphetamine]]
* [[Tyramine]]
===Mixed action===
* [[Ephedrine]]
* [[Pseudoephedrine]]

==See also==
*[[Adrenergic receptor]]

==External links==
*[http://www.elmhurst.edu/~chm/vchembook/663adrenergic.html Virtual Chembook article on adrenergic drugs]
*{{MeshName|adrenergic+agonists}}

{{Receptor agonists and antagonists}}
{{Adrenergic agonists}}
{{Adrenergic and dopaminergic agents}}
[[Category:Endocrine system]]

{{cardiovascular-drug-stub}}

[[es:Agonista adrenérgico]]
[[no:Antiadrenerge midler]]
[[nn:Antiadrenerge lækjemiddel]]
[[ru:Адреномиметики]]
[[Category:2Fix]]