Type
Sympathomimetic
(directly acting)
Drugs
Norepinephrine
Epinephrine
lsoproterenol
Sympathomimetic
(indirectly acting)
Dobutamine
Salbutamol
Salmeterol
Terbutaline
Clenbuterol
Ritodrine
Phenylephrine
Methoxamine
Clonidine
Tyramine
Amphetamine
Ephedrine
Summary of drugs that affect noradrenergic transmission
Main action
Uses/function
α/βAgonist
Not used clinically .
Transmitter at postganglionic sympathetic neurons, and in
CNS.
Hormone of adrenal medulla
α/βAgonist
Asthma (emergency treatment), anaphylactic shock, cardiac
arrest. Added to local anaesthetic solutions.
Main hormone of adrenal medulla
βAgonist (non-selective)
Asthma (obsolete).
Not an endogenous substance
β1 Agonist (non-selective)
Cardiogenic shock
β2 Agonist
Asthma, premature labour
β2 Agonist
Asthma
β2 Agonist
Asthma. Delay of parturition
β2 Agonist
'Anabolic' action to increase muscle strength
β2 Agonist
Delay of parturition
α1 Agonist
Nasal decongestion
αAgonist (non-selective)
Nasal decongestion
α2 Partial agonist
Hypertension, migraine
NA release
No clinical uses. Present in various foods
NA release, MAO inhibitor, uptake 1 Used as CNS stimulant in narcolepsy, also (paradoxically)
inhibitor, CNS stimulant
in hyperactive children, Appetite suppressant, Drug of
abuse
NA release, βagonist, weak CNS
Nasal decongestion
stimulant
Adrenoceptor
antagonists
Phenoxybenzamine
Phentolamine
Prazosin
Tamsulosin
Yohimbine
Propranolol
Alprenolol
Practolol
Metoprolol
Nebivolol
Drugs affecting NA
synthesis
Drugs affecting NA
release
Butoxamine
Labetalol
Carvedilol
α-Methyl- ptyrosine
Carbidopa
Methyldopa
Reserpine
Guanethidine
Drugs affecting NA
uptake
Imipramine
Cocaine
αAntagonist (non-selective,
irreversible) Uptake 1 inhibitor
αAntagonist (non-selective),
vasodilator
α1 Antagonist
α1 Antagonist ('uroselective')
α2 Antagonist
βAntagonist (non-selective)
βAntagonist (non-selective) (partial
agonist)
β1 Antagonist
β1 Antagonist
β1 Antagonist
Enhances nitric oxide-mediated
transmission
β2 Antagonist, weak α agonist
α/βAntagonist
α/βAntagonist
Inhibits tyrosine hydroxylase
Inhibits dopa decarboxylase
False transmitter precursor
Depletes NA stores by inhibiting
vesicular uptake of NA
Inhibits NA release
Also causes NA depletion and can
damage NA neurons irreversibly
Blocks uptake 1
Also has atropine-like action
Local anaesthetic; blocks uptake 1
CNS stimulant
Phaeochromocytoma
Rarely used
Hypertension
Prostatic hyperplasia
Not used clinically Claimed to be aphrodisiac
Angina, hypertension, cardiac dysrhythmias, anxiety
tremor, glaucoma
As propranolol
Hypertension, angina, dysrhythmias
Angina, hypertension, dysrhythmias
Hypertension
No clinical uses
Hypertension in pregnancy
Heart failure
Occasionally used in phaeochromocytoma
Used as adjunct to levodopaView drug information to
prevent peripheral effects
Hypertension in pregnancy
Hypertension (obsolete)
Hypertension (obsolete)
Depression
Rarely used local anaesthetic.
Major drug of abuse