Analgesia Flashcards
List the major classes of analgesic drug
NO PLAN • N- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) • O- opioids • P- paracetamol • L- local anaesthetics • A- α2 agonists • N- NMDA antagonists
What are NSAIDs?
non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
Definition:
• In literal terms ANY drug that has anti-inflammatory properties that is not a steroid..
• NSAID in the medical world is refined to mean any drug that exerts its anti-inflammatory effect through the inhibition of cyclooxygenase (COX)
The majority of NSAIDS used in practise are COX 2 selective = have more of an effect on COX 2
What is cyclooxygenase?
The enzymes that produce prostaglandins are called cyclooxygenase (COX). There are two types of COX enzymes, COX-1 and COX-2. Both enzymes produce prostaglandins that promote inflammation, pain, and fever
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, prostaglandins, and prostacyclins
When do we use analgesics?
For management of acute pain – pain that begins suddenly, usually sharp in quality,
Main affect NSAIDS
o Analgesia, Anti-inflammatory, Anti-pyrexia
How to admin NSAIDS
are acids therefore water soluble: administered IV, IM, SC, orally, and some are in topical preparations for dermal application
Side effect NSAIDS
o Affect renal auto regulation of blood flow in some species
o GI ulceration (horse hindgut, dogs and cats gastric or duodenal)
o Affect blood clotting: pro or anti
o Liver metabolism – can cause problems if previous liver damage, build up and toxicity
o Closure of ductus arteriosus
o Photosensitisation
o Hypersensitivity
Opioid
main analgesic effects occur in the dorsal horn (substantia gelatinosa) of the spinal cord
• prevent the release of excitatory neurotransmitters (substance P, glutamate) from nociceptor nerve endings, and/or reduce the responsiveness of connecting neurones to those signals
Also you find opioid receptors in places with inflammation = opioids will have a greater effect by reducing some excitatiry input into the spinal chord
Opiod admin
Main effects
IV, IM, SC, TM
o Analgesia
o Sedation/ narcosis - administered alongside phenothiazine (ACP) or butyrophenone (fluanisone) = neuroleptanalgesia
Side effects of opioids
Although list is long, relatively milk vs benefits:
o Bradycardia
more likely seen with full mu agonists and large dose, and also if already under GA Morphine (horses), methadone
o Respiratory depression
more likely seen with full mu agonists and large dose and also if already under GA, Morphine (horses), methadone
o Reduced GI motility
o ‘excitement’ – locomotor excitement (e.g. walk forward, headpressing)
Horse and cats more likely
Avoid admin things like butorphanol to horse want to sedate or show as encourages it to move forward
o Vomiting – particularly with morphine in SA but obvs not in horses!
o Addiction in people why opioids often subject to controls
o Dysphoria – extreme excitement unhappy way – admin too much
o Euphoria - extreme excitement happy way – admin too much
o Panting e,g. methadone in dogs particularly, not too worried
list opioid receptors
mu (µ), kappa (κ), and delta (δ)
(Forget about delta)
- Mu agonism = analgesia and narcosis
- Main analgesia
- Little sedation - Kappa agonism = sedation and analgesia
- Some analgesia, mostly in gut
- Provides sedation
Name full mu agonists (main drugs for analegsia in opioid class
- Morphine (horse), Methadone (SA), pethidine, fentanyl
- pethidine should NOT be administered IV as this causes histamine release
- Morphine and methadone are main full mu drugs get in veterinary species 3-6 hrs analgesia
- Some sedation, not as good as butotphanol
Name partial Mu agonist
o Partial mu agonist – not as great 2nd messenger so analgesia not as great as full. Good for intermediate pain. Lasts longer than other opioids 6-8 hrs analgesia
o used in companion animals the UK, very useful in cats
Name and talk about a mixed opioid agonist
• Butorphanol – great addition to sedation
o Mixed agonist (mainly agonistic at kappa and Mu antagonist)
o used in companion animals the UK
o Kappa agonist so useful for enhancing sedation but nothing painful
o Main opiod sedative, less analgesia