Adrenergic drugs

• Adrenergic agonists are drugs that activate adrenergic receptors, their effects are similar to a sympathetic response
• Adrenergic antagonists are drugs that block the activation of adrenergic receptors; their effects are the opposite of sympathetic effects
• Epinephrine is a nonselective adrenergic agonist that is used mainly to treat anaphylaxis (emergency allergic reaction)
• Epinephrine-mechanism of action: binds to alpha 1, alpha 2, beta 1, and beta 2 receptors and activates them
• Epinephrine is given via IM injection, SubQ injection, and IV; it cannot be given orally due to rapid inactivation by MAO
• Epinephrine contraindications: hyperthyroidism, hypertensive crisis, dysrhythmias, angina, hyperglycemia, and necrosis (from IV extravasation)
• Dopamine is an adrenergic agonist that is used for increasing cardiac output in patients with heart failure or shock
• Dopamine- mechanism of action: at a high enough dose, dopamine can bind to and activate dopamine, beta 1, and alpha 1 receptors
• Dopamine contraindication: tachycardia, dysrhythmias, and ventricular fibrillation, caution with patients who have heart defects, hyperthyroidism, hypertension, and angina
• Dopamine adverse effects: tachycardia, dysrhythmias, angina, and necrosis (from IV extravasation)
• Albuterol is a selective beta 2 agonist that is used to treat asthma, bronchitis, and COPD
• Albuterol- mechanism of action: binds and activates beta 2 receptors, causing bronchodilation and relieving dyspnea
• Albuterol contraindications: should be used with caution in patients with diabetes
• Albuterol adverse effects: tremors, nervousness, restlessness, palpitations, tachycardia, and hyperglycemia