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PH2.1-8 | Introduction to Autonomic & Peripheral Nervous system, Autacoids

The autonomic nervous system (ANS) pharmacology encompasses drugs acting on cholinergic and adrenergic receptors, skeletal muscle relaxants, and autacoids. Understanding these agents is crucial for managing conditions like asthma, shock, glaucoma, and organophosphate poisoning. This SDL module integrates foundational knowledge with clinical applications to achieve competency in prescribing and monitoring these medications.

Learning Outcomes

Describe the classification, mechanisms, and clinical uses of cholinergic agonists and antagonists (PH2.1).
Explain the pharmacology of adrenergic agonists and antagonists with emphasis on receptor selectivity (PH2.2).
Differentiate depolarizing and non-depolarizing skeletal muscle relaxants and their reversal agents (PH2.3).
Discuss the role of autacoids and their antagonists in inflammation, allergy, and migraine (PH2.4).
Apply pharmacological principles to manage organophosphate poisoning and anaphylactic shock (PH2.5, PH2.6).
Select appropriate beta-blockers in patients with comorbid asthma (PH2.7).
Interpret adverse effect profiles and drug interactions of commonly used ANS drugs (PH2.8).

Note: Review Year 1 physiology: autonomic nervous system divisions, neurotransmitter synthesis, storage, release, and degradation, receptor subtypes (muscarinic, nicotinic, alpha, beta) and their tissue distribution, and the concept of autonomic tone. Refresh your understanding of the baroreceptor reflex and the fight-or-flight response.

References

Essentials of Medical Pharmacology (textbook)
Goodman & Gilman's The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics (reference)

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