sympathomimetic

views updated May 11 2018

sympathomimetic (sim-pă-thoh-mi-met-ik) adj. having the effect of stimulating the sympathetic nervous system by acting at alpha or beta receptors (see adrenergic (receptor)). Sympathomimetic drugs include alpha-adrenergic stimulants (alpha agonists), such as ephedrine, phenylephrine, metaraminol, apraclonidine, and brimonidine; and beta-adrenergic stimulants (beta agonists), such as dobutamine, salbutamol, salmeterol, and terbutaline.