What are direct acting sympathomimetics?
Simply so, what are direct acting drugs?
The mechanisms of sympathomimetic drugs can be direct-acting (direct interaction between drug and receptor), such as α-adrenergic agonists, β-adrenergic agonists, and dopaminergic agonists; or indirect-acting (interaction not between drug and receptor), such as MAOIs, COMT inhibitors, release stimulants, and reuptake
Also asked, is ephedrine direct or indirect acting?
Ephedrine is one of the most commonly used noncatecholamine sympathomimetic drugs in the perioperative period. Ephedrine is a natural product of the ephedra plant (Ephedra sinica), and is a mixed-acting, noncatecholamine sympathomimetic with both direct and indirect stimulating effects on α- and β-adrenergic receptors.
The adverse effects of sympathomimetics include:
- fine tremor, usually in the hands.
- nervous tension.
- headache.
- peripheral vasodilation.
- sinus tachycardia.
- hypokalaemia after high doses - salbutamol.
- hypersensitivity, including paradoxical bronchospasm.
- impaired glucose tolerance in diabetics.