AUTONOMIC DRUGS

There are several drugs affecting the autonomic nervous system which, for a better
understanding of specific drugs, are classified into groups.

1. Drugs acting on the sympathetic nervous system
   a) Sympathomimetics or adrenergic drugs: are drugs that mimic the effects of
   sympathetic nerve stimulation.
   b) Sympatholytics: are drugs that inhibit the activity of sympathetic nerve or that of
   sympathomimetics.
2. Drugs acting on the parasympathetic nervous system
   a) Parasympathomimetics or cholinergic drugs: are drugs which mimic acetylcholine or
   the effects of parasympathetic nerve stimulation.
   b) Parasympatholytics: are drugs that inhibit parasympathetic nervous system activity or
   that of cholinergic drugs.