Drugs Affecting Adrenergic System

This chapter is a comprehensive account of medicinal chemistry of drugs affecting the adrenergic system. It provides the mechanisms of action of drugs and detail of structure-activity relationships of the adrenergic drugs to give the knowledge base for pharmacists. After the study of this chapter students will be able to:

• Comprehend the historical background of adrenergic neurochemistry and drugs acting on this system

• Explain adrenergic neurotransmitters and their functions

• Classify adrenergic receptors and their structures and binding

• Discuss direct and indirect acting sympathomimetic (adrenergic agonists) and sympatholytic (adrenergic antagonists) drugs

• Explain SAR for direct and indirect acting adrenergic receptor agonists and antagonists

• Delineate the clinical significance of these classes of drugs

• Identify the discovery process of these agents

Keywords: Adrenergic agonists and antagonists, Adrenergic drugs, Clinical use of adrenergic drugs, Drug receptor interaction, Epinephrine and norepinephrine, Structure activity relationship, Sympathomimetic agents.