Agonist & Inhibitor & Blocker

by Sara

I'm getting these terms a little confused. Does an agonist react in the body to produce a response? Are an inhibitor and blocker the same thing? Do they react in the body to prevent a response?

Reply (Keith): You are on the right track. I haven't yet done a Pharmacology section on the site, but I will eventually. Anyhow, here is some lingo:

AGONIST -
A drug that binds to a receptor of a cell
and triggers a response by the cell.


ANTAGONIST -
A drug that blocks or reduces the effect
of a neurotransmitter. Also known as "BLOCKER"
or "INHIBITOR".