Analgesia Part 2 Flashcards
what do NSAIDs do
• Inhibit cyclo-oxygenases and so reduce prostaglandins (which sensitise the tissues to other inflammatory mediators resulting in pain)
• The NSAIDs (aspirin and ibuprofen) inhibit COX-1 and COX-2
○ Predominantly COX-1 inhibition
○ Aspirin is 150 times more effective at inhibiting COX-1 than COX-2
what is COX-1 / what does it do
COX-1 is the cyclo-oxygenase predominantly responsible for catalysing the reaction that produces prostaglandins associated with:
○ Platelet aggregation
○ Protection of the gastric mucosa
what is COX-2 / What does it do
COX-2 is the enzyme responsible for the generation of the inflammatory prostaglandins
Although in some situations COX-1 is also involved
the amount of aspirin needed to have sufficient anti-inflammatory effects by inhibition of COX-2 will cause what
Amount of aspirin needed to have sufficient anti-inflammatory effects by inhibition of COX-2 will cause gastric damage due to the amount of COX-1 inhibition
what does the action of the formed prostaglandins depend on
○ The pathological situation
○ Whether they are formed by COX-1 or COX-2
○Whether they are formed in excessive amounts
what is generated in low physiological amounts by COX-1 and what does this do
PGE2 is generated in low physiological amounts by COX-1 in gastric tissues and has a protective effect
when are prostaglandins generated in excessive amounts
Prostaglandins (especially PGE2) are generated in excessive amounts during inflammation via elevated COX-2 levels
what does PGE2 in large amounts produce
PGE2 in large amounts produces increased vasodilation, increased vascular permeability and sensitises pain fibre nerve endings to bradykinin, 5HT and other mediators
why does it make sense to have COX-2 selectives
Since the analgesic actions of NSAIDs appear to result from the inhibition of COX-2 (mainly, although COX-1 may be involved) it would make sense to have selective COX-2 inhibitors and spare COX-1
Therefore less gastric effect
are cox-2 inhibitors associated with a higher or lower risk of serious upper GIT side effects compared with non-selective NSAIDs
selective COX-2 Inhibitors are associated with a lower risk of serious upper GIT side effects compared with non-selective NSAIDs
what is celecoxib and what does it do
selective cox-2 inhibitor
Useful anti-inflammatory actions and fewer GIT damaging actions compared with non-selective NSAIDs
Note: this view may be too simplistic
Some data suggests that COX-2 generated prostaglandins may also contribute to gastric mucosal integrity and damage repair
what patients are all NSAIDs including COX-2 inhibitors contraindicated in
All NSAIDs (including selective COX-2 Inhibitors) are contraindicated in patients with active peptic ulceration Non-selective NSAIDs are contraindicated in patients with a history of peptic ulceration
what does the BNF recommend with regards to NSAIDs
do not use more than one oral NSAID at a time (including selective COX-2 inhibitors)
Regarding dental and orofacial pain - COX-2 selectives should be chosen to manage dental pain only in patients at high risk of gastric or duodenal ulceration (eg those with a history of peptic ulcer)
why are selective cox-2 inhibitors thought to be better tolerated by patients with clotting disorders
Highly selective COX-2 inhibitors do not have an effect on platelet aggregation and so many be better tolerated by patients with clotting disorders
what is another name for paracetamol
Acetaminophen
is paracetamol an NSAID
Paracetamol is traditionally included under the banner of NSAIDs although in reality it is a simple analgesic without anti-inflammatory activity
what are the properties of paracetamol
- Analgesic
- Antipyretic
- Little or no anti-inflammatory action
- No effects on bleeding time
- Does not interact significantly with warfarin
- Less irritant to GIT
- Suitable for children
- Relatively safe analgesics ~ very commonly used
explain the mode of action of paracetamol
- Hydroperoxides are generated from the metabolism of arachidonic acid by COX and exert a positive feedback to stimulate COX activity
- This feedback is blocked by paracetamol, thus indirectly inhibiting COX - especially in the brain
• Results in:
○ Analgesia
○ Antipyretic action
○ No reduction in peripheral inflammation
• A small component of the analgesic action of all NSAIDs is the reduction of prostaglandins in the pain pathways of the central nervous system, such as in the thalamus
○ This is the main site of action of paracetamol
- Alternative central mechanisms have also been proposed including reduced 5HT production or interference with the excitatory amino acid NMDA (N-Methyl-D-Aspartate) in spinal cord pathways
- Exact mode of action still unclear
why does paracetamol cause only little / no gastric mucosal irritation
Since it does not appear to have much effect on peripheral prostaglandins there is little / no gastric mucosal irritation
is paracetamol a safe analgesic
It is described as a ‘safe analgesic’ although it causes severe problems in overdose
when do you need to take caution when prescribing paracetamol
- Hepatic impairment
- Renal impairment
- Alcohol dependence
what are the side effects of paracetamol
these are rare
- rashes
- Blood disorders
- Hypotension reported on infusion ~Reduced blood pressure particularly if given IV
- Liver damage (and less frequently kidney damage) following overdose
what does paracetamol interact with
• Anticoagulants
○ Prolonged regular use of paracetamol possibly enhances the anticoagulant effects of the coumarins
○ Fairly minimal
- Cytotoxics
- Domperidone
- Lipid-regulating drugs
- Metoclopramide
how should you recommend odontogenic pain should be managed with paracetamol
For mild to moderate odontogenic or post-operative pain, an appropriate 5-day regime:
• Paracetamol tablets, 500mg
Send: 40 tablets
Label: 2 tablets 4x daily
what are the dosages recommended for children with paracetamol
For children: paracetamol tablets or soluble tablets, 500mg or oral suspension 120mg/5 ml or 250 mg/5 ml
○ 6months-2 years = 120mg 4x daily (max. 4 doses in 24 hours)
○ 2-4 years = 180mg 4x daily (max. 4 doses in 24 hours)
○ 4-6 years = 240mg 4x daily (max. 4 doses in 24 hours)
○ 6-8 years = 250mg 4x daily (max. 4 doses in 24 hours)
○ 8-10 years = 375mg 4x daily (max. 4 doses in 24 hours)
○ 10-18 years = 500mg 4x daily (max. 4 doses in 24 hours)
what advice should be given to patients regarding the dose of paracetamol
Advise patient that paracetamol can be taken at 4-hourly intervals but not to exceed the recommended daily dose
○ Maximum 4g for adults
• Overdose with paracetamol is dangerous because it can cause hepatic damage that is sometimes not apparent for 4-6 days
○ As little as 10-15g taken within 24 hours can cause severe hepatocellular necrosis
○ Transfer patients who have taken an overdose to hospital