Adrenergic drugs classification

1) Based on Structure  

a) Catecholamines

i) Natural

Adrenaline

Noradrenaline

Dopamine

ii) Synthetic

Isoprenaline

Dobutamine

b) Non Catecholamines

Ephedrine

Amphetamine

Mephentermine

Phenylephrine

2) Based on Mechanism of Action

a) Directly acting

Adrenaline

Noradrenaline

Isoprenaline

Phenylephrine

Salbutamol

Methoxamine

Xylometazoline

b) Indirectly acting

Tyramine

c) Acting by both mechanisms

Ephedrine

Amphetamine

Mephentermine

3) Based on Spectrum of Activity

a)α agonists

i) α₁ selective

Phenylephrine

ii) α₂ selective

Clonidine

b) β Agonists

i) Non-selective

Isoprenaline

ii) β₁ selective

Dobutamine

iii) β₂ selective

Terbutaline

Salbutamol

c) α and β agonists

Adrenaline

Noradrenaline

d) Dopamine agonists Dopamine (D1 and D2)

Fenoldopam

4) Clinical/ Therapeutic Classification

a) Pressor agents

Dopamine

Noradrenaline

Methoxamine

Mephentermine

Phenylephrine

Ephedrine

b) Cardiac stimulants

Adrenaline

Dobutamine

Isoprenaline

c) CNS stimulants

Amphetamine

Dexamphetamine

Methamphetamine

d) Bronchodilators

Adrenaline

Isoprenaline

Salbutamol

Salmeterol

Formoterol

Bambuterol

Fenoterol

Terbutaline

Orciprenaline

Isoetherine

e)Nasal decongestants

Naphazoline

Xylometazoline

Oxymetazoline

Phenylephrine

Pseudoephedrine

Phenylpropanolamine

Propylhexedrine

f) Uterine relaxants & vasodilators

Ritodrine

Isoxsuprine

Salbutamol

Terbutaline

g) Anorectics (appetite suppressants)

Fenfluramine

Dexfenfluramine

Sibutramine