What are autacoids?

Autacoids are substances released at or near their site of action with a short duration of activity - including prostaglandins, leukotrienes, kallidin, bradykinin, serotonin, and histamine. Their structures and physiological activities vary, and although some (histamine, serotonin) also function as neurotransmitters, their autacoid functions are covered here. Drugs that mimic, block, or modulate autacoid function have important therapeutic roles (there are no agents specific for bradykinin or kallidin).

Autacoids are 'local hormones' - made and used right where they act, then quickly gone. This chapter is about the drugs that copy them (prostaglandin analogs), block their synthesis (NSAIDs, zileuton), or block their receptors (antihistamines, leukotriene antagonists).

📖 “Autacoids are released at/near their site of action with short duration: prostaglandins, leukotrienes, bradykinin, serotonin, histamine. Drugs mimic, block, or modulate them.”