Final answer:
The class of drugs used to manipulate the effects of the sympathetic nervous system are adrenergic agonists. These drugs can stimulate adrenergic receptors, enhancing sympathetic activity, while sympatholytic drugs, such as clonidine, can decrease it and are used in treatments including anti-anxiety. Conversely, a muscarinic agonist would be used to counteract atropine poisoning.
Step-by-step explanation:
The class of drugs used to manipulate the effects of the sympathetic nervous system are adrenergic agonists. These drugs, also known as sympathomimetic drugs, act by stimulating the adrenergic receptors that respond to neurotransmitters such as norepinephrine and epinephrine. This stimulation can mimic the effects of the sympathetic nervous system, thereby enhancing sympathetic activity. In contrast, sympatholytic drugs block the adrenergic receptors, decreasing the sympathetic action. For instance, the drug used to counteract anaphylactic shock is epinephrine, which is a type of adrenergic agonist.
When considering the question of which drug can be used to counteract atropine poisoning, the answer would be a muscarinic agonist, which affects the parasympathetic system rather than the sympathetic. Additionally, both sympathomimetic and sympatholytic drugs can have applications in various treatments, including anti-anxiety effects and asthma treatment. For anxiety, sympatholytic medications such as clonidine may be used, while for asthma, sympathomimetic drugs that widen the airways can be beneficial.