Pharmacology ( Paramedic ) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Pharmacology ( Paramedic ) - Essay Example the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of Ipilimumab as obtained from a similar research, the cost effectiveness of ipilimumab was found to be $78,218 per life year gained (Barzey et al. 2012, p. 73). This means that the ipilimumab is more cost effective. Adrenergic drugs are the pharmacological compounds that stimulate adrenergic nerves directly. They do this by mimicking the action of epinephrine or adrenaline in the body or stimulating their release. These drugs are used I treatment of life-threatening disorders including asthma, cardiovascular conditions such as cardiac arrest and in allergic reactions. Adrenergic receptors are widely distributed in the body and these drugs act on these receptors. However, their selectivity determines the receptors that the drug group will act on and hence the efficacy and side effects. There are two major groups of adrenergic receptors, which are alpha-receptors and beta-receptors. Those that act selectively on alpha-receptors are associated with constriction of blood vessels especially in the bronchial mucosa and relaxation of gastrointestinal smooth muscles. Those that are beta selective relax bronchial smooth muscles and dilation of bronchi. The beta-adrenoceptors also increase the heart rate and contractility of the heart. This means that using a drug such as salbutamol, which is a beta-adrenergic receptor agonist in asthma will be effective in causing dilation of the bronchi and hence relieve of symptoms. In addition, the drug will cause a considerable increase in heart rate and heart contractility as side effects due to its action on the heart muscles (Baker 2010, pp 1048-1061). The enzyme phosphodiesterase-5 is responsible for the degradation of cGMP in the smooth muscles of small blood vessels especially in the corpus cavernous of the penile shaft. The enzymes are also present in the arterial smooth muscles of the lungs. Inhibitors of this enzyme relieve erectile dysfunction and pulmonary hypertension. Since