Alpha-adrenergic agonist

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]


Overview

An adrenergic alpha-agonist is a drug which selectively stimulates alpha adrenergic receptors. The alpha-adrenergic receptor has two subclasses α1 and α2. Although complete selectivity between receptor agonism is rarely achieved, phenylephrine is an α1 agonist, while clonidine and methyldopa are α2 partial agonists [1].

An example is xylazine.

Alpha-adrenergic agonists are used in the treatment of glaucoma by decreasing the production of aqueous fluid by the ciliary bodies of the eye.

External links


Template:Receptor agonists and antagonists


Template:WikiDoc Sources

  1. Pharmacology (3rd Edition) Rang, Dale and Ritter