What it means
The adrenergic system is the fight-or-flight part of the autonomic nervous systemaw-tuh-NOM-ik NUR-vus SIS-tumThe part of the nervous system that controls body functions without conscious thought, such as heart rate, breathing and digestion.auto- selfnom/o law, control-ic relating toFull entry . Adrenergic drugs (also called sympathomimetics or adrenergic agonists) copy its effects: epinephrineep-ih-NEF-rinA hormone and drug, also called adrenaline, that raises heart rate and blood pressure and opens the airways.Full entry , norepinephrinenor-ep-ih-NEF-rinA hormone and nerve messenger that narrows blood vessels and raises blood pressure, also given as an IV drug.Full entry , dopamine and phenylephrine raise blood pressure and heart rate, and beta-2 agonists such as albuterolal-BYOO-ter-olA fast-acting inhaled drug that relaxes and opens the airways.Full entry open the airways. Adrenergic blockers do the opposite: beta blockers such as metoprolol slow the heart.
For the nurse
IV adrenergic agonists are on the ISMP high-alert list. Run them on a pump, watch blood pressure and heart rate closely, and check the IV site often, as some cause tissue damage if they leak out of the vein.
At a glance
| Drug class | adrenergic agonist (sympathomimetic) |
|---|---|
| Spanish | adrenérgico |
| Also written | adrenergics |
Related terms
epinephrine
A hormone and drug, also called adrenaline, that raises heart rate and blood pressure and opens the airways.
autonomic nervous system
The part of the nervous system that controls body functions without conscious thought, such as heart rate, breathing and digestion.
norepinephrine
A hormone and nerve messenger that narrows blood vessels and raises blood pressure, also given as an IV drug.
antagonist
A drug that attaches to a receptor and blocks it, so the body's own chemicals or other drugs cannot act there.
albuterol
A fast-acting inhaled drug that relaxes and opens the airways.