Psychiatric Drugs and Medications Q 17

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Drugs that mimic sympathetic activity are known as: Drugs that mimic sympathetic activity are known as:

  

     A. Cholinergics

     B. Anticholinergics

     C. Adrenergics

     D. Antiadrenergics

    

    

Correct Answer: C. Adrenergics

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Drugs that mimic the effects of sympathetic activity are known as adrenergics. Adrenergic drugs must be classified based on the specific receptors they bind. Direct-acting drugs, which are the primary focus of this article, include vasopressors, bronchodilators, and other drugs. Indirect acting adrenergic drugs increase norepinephrine and epinephrine through various mechanisms. Hence, their side effect profiles are similar to those seen with vasopressors.

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Option A: Cholinergic medications are a category of pharmaceutical agents that act upon the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, the primary neurotransmitter within the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS). There are two broad categories of cholinergic drugs: direct-acting and indirect-acting. The direct-acting cholinergic agonists work by directly binding to and activating the muscarinic receptors. Indirect-acting cholinergic agents increase the availability of acetylcholine at the cholinergic receptors.

Option B: Anticholinesterase medications are agents that inhibit cholinesterase, protect acetylcholine from hydrolysis, and produce cholinergic effects. Anticholinesterases further classify into reversible (carbamates) and irreversible agents (organophosphates).

Option D: Centrally acting antiadrenergic agents inhibit the stimulation of the central nervous system alpha-adrenergic receptors and decrease sympathetic stimulation to the blood vessels and the heart. They block the release and action of catecholamines (epinephrine, norepinephrine, dopamine), which are released in response to stress.

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