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Vasoconstrictor Agents

Definition: Drugs used to cause constriction of the blood vessels.
Notes: consider also VASOMOTOR SYSTEM /drug eff

Vasoconstrictor Agents Categories.
Calcium Channel Agonists - Agents that increase calcium influx into calcium channels of excitable tissues. This causes vasoconstriction in vascular smooth muscle and/or cardiac muscle cells as well as stimulation of insulin release from pancreatic islets. Therefore, tissue-selective calcium agonists have the potential to combat cardiac failure and endocrinological disorders. They have been used primarily in experimental studies in cell and tissue culture.
Nasal Decongestants - Drugs designed to treat inflammation of the nasal passages, generally the result of an infection (more often than not the common cold) or an allergy related condition, e.g., hay fever. The inflammation involves swelling of the mucous membrane that lines the nasal passages and results in inordinate mucus production. The primary class of nasal decongestants are vasoconstrictor agents. (From PharmAssist, The Family Guide to Health and Medicine, 1993)

Vasoconstrictor Agents Definitions and Terms

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