7. Cholinoreceptor antagonists Flashcards
what is affinity?
the ability of a drug to bind to a particular receptor to form a complex
reversible reaction
both antagonists and agonists have affinity
what is efficacy?
the ability of a drug to stimulate a response after binding to the receptor
only agonists have efficacy
what are nicotinic receptor antagonists also called and what do they do?
ganglion-blocking drugs
they interfere with transmission through all ganglia (sympathetic and parasympathetic)
what are the 2 actions of nicotinic receptor antagonists?
- block the nicotinic receptor (ion-channel linked receptor) to prevent depolarisation as the ion channel cannot open
- block the channel (drug sits in the channel pore and prevents ion passage)
give 2 examples of nicotinic receptor antagonists
hexamethonium
trimetaphan
describe the uses and effects of hexamethonium
- first anti-hypertensive drug
- causes vasodilation because the antagonist blocks the sympathetic tone in vessels
- causes decreased renin secretion because less aldosterone is released
describe the uses and effects of trimetaphan
- used clinically
- i.v. during surgery to induce hypotension
- short-acting drug to reduce the chance of blood loss during surgery
describe use-dependent block
the more open the channel is, the more effective the block
more agonist -> ion channels open more -> antagonist blocks channels more
how can you overcome a block of the actual nicotinic receptor?
by adding more acetylcholine (competitive)
do ion channel blockers have affinity?
no
what widespread effects do hexamethonium and trimetaphan have on the body?
- pupil constriction interference -> dilation
- bladder dysfunction due to bladder smooth muscle impairment
- decreased GI tone
- decreased saliva production
- impaired sweating capacity
- decreased exocrine secretions
why are ganglion blocking drugs good anti-hypertensive drugs?
by blocking renin secretion and stopping vasoconstriction (sympathetic) rather than reducing heart rate and contractility (parasympathetic)
do hexamethonium and trimetaphan block the receptor or the channel pore?
hexamethonium - both
trimetaphan - receptor
what is alpha-bungarotoxin and how is it different to nicotinic antagonist drugs?
it is a poison that comes from the common krait snake (potent toxin)
DIFFERENCE:
- it binds irreversibly (with covalent forces)
- it targets both the autonomic and somatic nervous system causing paralysis
what do muscarinic receptor antagonists influence?
parasympathetic function (except sweat glands which sympathetic nerves innervate via muscarinic receptors)