Analgesic

Question 1

MOA of Opioid

Answer 1

Target tissues: nociceptive neurons and pain regions in the brain

Molecular target: mu opioid receptor agonist

Biological process involved: G-protein coupled receptor activation triggering a second messenger cascade

Cellular response: decrease permeability of Ca2+ in and increase K+ permeability out, decreasing action potential generation

Overall effect: decrease pain (analgesia)

Question 2

MOA of NSAID

Answer 2

Target Tissue: Act on all cell of body
Molecular Target: Cox 1 and Cox 2
Biological process: Block active site of cox enzymes
Cellular response: Prevent turning arachidonic acid to prostaglandin that sensitizes nociceptors
Effect : pain relief