1. Adrenergic drugs act on adrenergic receptors and include catecholamines like dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine that are synthesized in the adrenal medulla and neurons.
2. These drugs stimulate either alpha or beta adrenergic receptors. Alpha receptors cause vasoconstriction and increase blood pressure while beta receptors increase heart rate and force of contraction.
3. The sympathetic nervous system, which these drugs act on, is involved in the "fight or flight" response and increases heart rate, blood flow, respiration, and metabolic rate to prepare the body for emergency situations.