Alpha blocker
Alpha-blockers, also known as α-blockers or α-adrenoreceptor antagonists, are a class of pharmacological agents that act as antagonists on α-adrenergic receptors (α-adrenoceptors).
| Alpha blockers α-blockers | |
|---|---|
| Drug class | |
| Class identifiers | |
| Use | • Hypertension • Vasoconstriction • BPH • Raynaud's Disease • Pheochromocytoma • CHF • Erectile Dysfunction |
| Mechanism of action | • Receptor antagonist • Inverse agonist • Neutral antagonist |
| Biological target | α-adrenoceptors |
| Legal status | |
| In Wikidata | |
Historically, alpha-blockers were used as a tool for pharmacologic research to develop a greater understanding of the autonomic nervous system. Using alpha blockers, scientists began characterizing arterial blood pressure and central vasomotor control in the autonomic nervous system. Today, they can be used as clinical treatments for a limited number of diseases.
Alpha blockers can treat a small range of diseases such as hypertension, Raynaud's disease, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and erectile dysfunction. Generally speaking, these treatments function by binding an α-blocker to α receptors in the arteries and smooth muscle. Ultimately, depending on the type of alpha receptor, this relaxes the smooth muscle or blood vessels, which increases fluid flow in these entities.