14. NSAIDs Flashcards
Obligatory to know NSAIDs substances (8):
- acetylsalicylic acid
- carprofen
- flunixin meglumine
- meloxicam
- metamizole sodium
- firocoxib
- robenacoxib
- mavacoxib
Other important NSAID (not bold from drug list):
- sodium salicylate
- sulfasalazine
- mesalazine
- olsalazine
- ketoprofen
- vedaprofen
- tolfenamic acid
- phenylbutazone
- piroxicam
- paracetamol
- nimesulide
- deracoxib
- cimicoxib
Mechanism of action of NSAIDs
The main mechanism of action of NSAIDs is the inhibition of the enzyme cyclooxygenase (COX). Cyclooxygenase is required to convert arachidonic acid into thromboxanes (TX) (platelet adhesion), prostaglandins (PGE, PGF) (vasodilation, increase the temperature set-point in the hypothalamus and a role in anti-nociception) and prostacyclins (PGI). The therapeutic effects of NSAIDs are attributed to the lack of these eicosanoids (eico - 20 in greek, arachidonic acid has 20 carbon atoms)
There are two cyclooxygenase isoenzymes, COX-1 and COX-2.
COX-1 gets constitutively expressed in the body, and it plays a role in maintaining gastrointestinal mucosa lining, kidney function, and platelet aggregation.
COX-2 is not constitutively expressed in the body; and instead, it inducibly expresses during an inflammatory response.
COX-3 is present in CNS, mainly in hypothalamus and thalamus leading to fever and increased pain perception (inhibition of COX-3 will not have antiiflammatory effect =› not NSAIDs but minor analgesics)
For what enzymes arachidonic acid is a substrate?
⋆ Lipoxigenase (→ leukotriens, lipoxins)
⋆ Cyclooxigenase (→ prostaglandins, prostacyclins, thromboxins)
⋆ Epoxigenase
Cyclooxigenase (COX) products
⋆ prostaglandins (PGF, PGE)
⋆ prostacyclins (PGI)
⋆ thromboxins (TX)
Localization of COX-1
Stomach, kidney, platelets.
Constitutive enzyme (constantly present in the body)
Role of PGE (produced by COX-1) in protecting gastric wall
⋆ ↓ HCl secretion
⋆ ↑ mucuous secretion
⋆ ↑ blood perfusion of stomach wall -> better regeneration
Effect of PGE on the kidney.
What happens in case of COX-1 inhibition?
Dilation of vessels. ↑RBF
If COX-1 is inhibited -› PGE is not produced -› vasoconstriction and kidney damage
Role of TX
providing normal aggregation of platelets
Result of COX-1 inhibition:
⋆ gastric ulceration (no PGE effect on GIT)
⋆ kidney damage (no PGE effect on kidneys)
⋆ bleeding (no thromboxins effect)
Localization of COX-2
⋆ Macrophages, fibroblasts.
⋆ Produced at the site of inflammation. Primar inflammatory enzyme.
⋆ Inductive drug (is produced when iflammation is present)
Which COX enzyme is the target when we apply NSAIDs?
COX-2
COX-3
present in CNS, mainly brain, mainly hypothalamus and thalamus → fever, pain sensation
inhibition of COX-3 will not have antiiflammatory effect =› not NSAIDs but minor analgesics
inhibitors of COX-3
⋆ Paracetamol (acetaminophen)
⋆ Metamizole
Very good antipyretic (antifever) and analgesic effect WITHOUT antiiflammatory effect → NOT NSAID, but MINOR ANALGESICS
What are 3 groups of NSAIDs? (COX2/COX1)
⋆ classical NSAIDs: < 1 (ketoprofen, aspirin)
⋆ more selective COX-2 inhibitors: 1-20 (meloxicam, carprofen)
⋆ coxibs: > 20
Pharmacological effect of NSAIDs
⋆ ANTIINFLAMMATORY
⋆ ANALGESIC
⋆ ANTIPYRETIC (anti fever)
⋆ platelet aggregation inhibition (aspirin)
⋆ antiendotoxin (meloxicam, flunixin)
⋆ spasmolytic (flunixin, metamizole)
⋆ antineoplastic (piroxicam)
NSAIDs with antiendotoxin effect
⋆ meloxicam
⋆ flunixin (very often used in horses)
Gr- bacteria
NSAIDs with spasmolytic effect
⋆ flunixin (very often used in horses)
⋆ metamizole (COX-3)
GI tract, urinary tract, genital tract
NSAIDs with antineoplastic effect
⋆ piroxicam
prostate and urinary bladder tumors
Pharmacokinetics of NSAIDs. Absorption
- weak acids -› 2 forms in the body: inionised and ionised. In stomach juice non-ionised form will be overproduced -› quick absorption already from stomach.
- weak acids -› irritant for the stomach, so it’s better to give WITH food.
Exceptions in NSAIDs regarding giving it with food
- Ketoprofen: food decreases absorption
- carprofen and meloxicam: don’t care, can be given both way
- mavacoxib: empty stomach - 20% absorption, full stomach - 80% absorption! Always mavacoxib with food
Pharmacokinetics of NSAIDs. Distribution
⋆ extensive albumin binding (check for hypoalbuminaemia). Do not combine with other drugs with high albumin binding (will compete for albumin -› increase of toxicity)
⋆ loading dose
⋆ can’t go through blood-milk barrier (0 WP for milk) (blood-milk barrier can be penetrated only by free form of the drug)