Adrenergic blocking drugs are also known as what?

Adrenergic blocking drugs are referred to as sympatholytics because they inhibit the effects of the sympathetic nervous system. These drugs work by blocking adrenergic receptors, which are the receptors that respond to neurotransmitters like epinephrine and norepinephrine. By doing so, sympatholytics counteract the physiological effects associated with sympathetic activation, such as increased heart rate and blood pressure, effectively promoting a state that is opposite to what occurs during 'fight or flight' responses.

In contrast, other categories of drugs mentioned in the options have different functions. Parasympatholytics block the actions of the parasympathetic nervous system, thereby inhibiting the effects of acetylcholine, while sympathomimetics are substances that mimic the stimulatory effects of the sympathetic nervous system. Anticholinergics also act to inhibit the parasympathetic nervous system but are specifically related to interfering with acetylcholine rather than adrenergic activity. Therefore, sympatholytics is the correct terminology for adrenergic blocking drugs, aligning accurately with their mechanism of action in the body.