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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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).[1]
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Alpha blockers α-blockers | |
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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 |
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b1/Alpha_blocker_location.png/320px-Alpha_blocker_location.png)
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.[2] Today, they can be used as clinical treatments for a limited number of diseases.[1]
Although alpha blockers can only treat a small range of diseases, some of them have clinical uses, such as having the ability to treat hypertension, Raynaud's disease, Congestive Heart Failure, erectile dysfunction, etc.[1] Generally speaking, all of these treatments function by binding an α-blocker to α receptors in the arteries and smooth muscle. Ultimately, this relaxes the smooth muscle or blood vessels, which increases fluid flow in these entities.[1]