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2.9.1.9: Agonist

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    88268
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    An agonist medication is one that binds to a receptor site either in or on a cell and causes a cell action to begin. Our bodies have opioid receptors in the central and peripheral nervous system that are responsible for reducing the feeling of pain. Morphine, a potent pain reliever, acts as an agonist by binding to the opioid receptors in the cells of our nervous system. This agonist effect of morphine then reduces the patient's perception of pain, providing pain relief (Murphy et al., 2023).


    This page titled 2.9.1.9: Agonist is shared under a CC BY 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Anna Jannak (Consortium of Academic and Research Libraries in Illinois (CARLI)) .

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