A norepinephrine releasing agent (NRA), also known as an adrenergic releasing agent, is a catecholaminergic type of drug that induces the release of norepinephrine (noradrenaline) and epinephrine (adrenaline) from the pre-synaptic neuron into the synapse. This in turn leads to increased extracellular concentrations of norepinephrine and epinephrine therefore an increase in adrenergic neurotransmission.[1][2]
A closely related type of drug is a norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (NRI). Another class of drugs that stimulates adrenergic activity is the adrenergic receptor agonist class.
- ^ Parker K, Brunton L, Goodman LS, Lazo JS, Gilman A (2006). Goodman & Gilman's The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics (11 ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill. ISBN 0-07-142280-3. Archived from the original on 2011-11-18. Retrieved 2011-06-26.
- ^ Lemke TL, Williams DA, eds. (2007). Foye's Principles of Medicinal Chemistry (6th ed.). Baltimore: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. ISBN 978-0-7817-6879-5.[permanent dead link]