adrenergic

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1. Activated by or capable of releasing epinephrine or an epinephrinelike substance, especially in the sympathetic nervous system: adrenergic nerve fibers.
2. Having physiological effects similar to those of epinephrine: an adrenergic drug.

[ADREN(ALINE) + –ERGIC.]

1. transmitted by norepinephrine or activated by norepinephrine or the other sympathomimetic agents. n 2. a term applied to nerve fibers that liberate epinephrine or norepinephrine at a synapse when a nerve impulse passes. n 3. a drug that mimics the action of adrenergic nerves.

A drug that exerts the same effect as adrenaline.

1. activated by, characteristic of, or secreting epinephrine or substances with activities similar to those of epinephrine. The term is applied to those nerve fibers of the sympathetic nervous system that release norepinephrine (and possibly small amounts of epinephrine) at a synapse when a nerve impulse passes.
2. an agent that acts like epinephrine. Called also sympathomimetic.

• a. agents — sympathomimetic amines which exert their effects on adrenergic receptors of effector cells innervated by the sympathetic nervous system. The administration of these adrenergic agonists mimics the physiological effects of sympathoadrenal discharge.
• a. alpha-blockers, beta-blockers — see adrenergic blockade.
• a. amines — these are the sympathomimetic amines. They have similar but not identical structures and actions. Epinephrine, norepinephrine and isoproterenol are catecholamines but differ in their effects. Norepinephrine is primarily an activator of alpha-receptors whereas isoproterenol is a selective beta-receptor agonist. Epinephrine is an active agonist for both alpha- and beta-receptors. Ephedrine is the classical noncatecholamine sympathetic agonist.
• a. blockade — adrenergic blocking agents prevent the activation of adrenergic receptors. They may be alpha-blockers, e.g. ergot, or beta-blockers such as propranolol.
• a. blocking agent — a drug that blocks the secretion of epinephrine and norepinephrine at the postganglionic nerve endings of the sympathetic nervous system. By blocking these adrenergic substances, which cause constriction of blood vessels and increased cardiac output, adrenergic blocking agents produce a dilatation of the blood vessels and a decrease in cardiac output.
• a. nerves — see adrenergic (1) (above).
• a. nervous system — see sympathetic nervous system.
• a. receptors — class of receptors named after the action of adrenalin(e), the alternative name for epinephrine. Alpha receptors, which are stimulated by norepinephrine and blocked by agents such as phenoxybenzamine, are categorized into two classes, α₁ and α₂, which have different actions. α₁ adrenergic actions include contraction of the iris, decreased motility in the intestine, and potassium and water secretions from the salivary glands. α₂ adrenergic receptors inhibit adenylate cyclase, rather than activating it. Beta receptors, which are stimulated by epinephrine and blocked by agents such as propranolol, are also categorized into two types; β₁ adrenergic receptors, which produce lipolysis and cardiostimulation, and β₂ adrenergic receptors, which produce bronchodilatation and vasodilatation.

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Adrenergic means "having to do with adrenaline". For instance:

• adrenergic agonist
• adrenergic antagonist
• adrenergic receptor
• adrenergic drug

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