Agonists

Agonists are drugs that bind to receptors and activate them to produce a biological response.

Definition:

• An agonist is a drug (or any chemical) that binds to a receptor and activates it, producing a biological response.
• Agonists mimic the action of endogenous (natural) ligands like hormones or neurotransmitters.

Types of Agonists:

1. Full Agonist:

   • Produces maximum possible response when it binds to the receptor.
   • Example: Morphine (a full opioid receptor agonist).

2. Partial Agonist:

   • Produces a less than maximal response even if all receptors are occupied.
   • Example: Buprenorphine (partial agonist at opioid receptors).

3. Inverse Agonist:

   • Binds to the same receptor as an agonist but produces the opposite effect.
   • Example: Beta-carbolines at GABA-A receptors.

Thank you for reading from Firsthope's notes, don't forget to check YouTube videos!