Peripheral Nervous System Drugs
The
Peripheral nervous system comprises nerves that travel between the CNS and the
organs, skin, and muscles. Organ function is controlled by the
autonomic nervous system, which involuntarily releases neurotransmitters such as acetylcholine and norepinephrine from the ends of the nerves onto the organs. Drugs to inhibit the function of the autonomic nervous system include beta blockers, which prevent rapid heartbeats, or muscarinic blockers, which prevent secretions in the respiratory tract. Some drugs mimic the effects of the autonomic nervous systemÑfor example, the asthma drug albuterol, which increases the diameter of the bronchiole airways.
The skin and muscles are controlled by the somatic nervous system. Drugs that act on this system can provide voluntary control of the muscles, as in anticholinesterase drugs to stimulate nerve impulses in patients suffering from myasthenia gravis. Local anesthetic drugs prevent the transmission to the brain of the pain sensations that arise in muscle and skin.