Analgesic Agents (Week2) Flashcards
A-δ Fibers
(alpha delta)
Free (naked) nerve endings.
Myelinated
Diameter = 1–4 μm.
Transmit “first pain” or “fast pain”
Well-localized discriminative sensation (sharp, stinging, pricking).
Duration of pain coincides with duration of painful stimulus.
C Fibers
Free (naked) nerve endings.
Unmyelinated
Diameter = 0.4–1.2 μm.
Transmit “second pain” or “slow pain”
Diffuse and persistent burning, aching, throbbing sensation.
Duration of pain exceeds duration of stimulus.
The “fast” and “slow” pain pathways are activated in the periphery when _______
the free nerve endings of the A-δ and C fibers are stimulated (damaged)
_______ stimulate the same receptors that are stimulated by the body’s endorphins and enkephalins.
Opioids
Classes of Opioids
- naturally occurring (ex: morphine, codeine)
- semisynthetic (ex: buprenorphine)
- synthetic (ex: fentanyl, sufentantil)
Clinical Uses of Opioids & Routes of Admin
Component of most anesthesia techniques
- Reduce pain and anxiety
- Decreased somatic and autonomic responses (e.g., airway manipulation)
- Improved hemodynamic stability
- Less inhaled or infused anesthetic agent required
- Postop analgesia
Routes
Intermittent: varying plasma concentrations and effect
Continuous: titratable, reduced total dose, less need for reversal
Mechanism of Action of Opioids
Opioids bind to Mu1, Mu2, Kappa, and delta receptors to decrease neurotransmitter release by increasing potassium efflux and MARK cascade and decreasing adenyl cyclase production and calcium influx of ascending and descending pain pathways.
Where is the activation site of supraspinal opiate receptors?
Medulla, midbrain to inhibit neurons in the pain pathway
Mechanism of spinal opiate receptor(s) activation
decreases calcium influx and decreases release of neurotransmitters related to nociception
Where is the activation site of peripheral opiate receptors?
Gastrointestinal (GI), vasculature, lung, heart, immune systems
Mu (μ) opiate receptor
Tell me what you know about its effects on the body when stimulated
IUPHAR name for it: MOP
EFFECTS
- analgesia: spinal, supraspinal
- CV: Bradcardia
- Resp: Depression
- CNS: Euphoria, sedation, prolactin release, mild hypothermia, catalepsy, indifference to environmental stimulus
- Miosis (shrinking pupils)
- GI: Inhibition of peristalsis, N/V
- URINARY RETENTION
*Pruritis & physical dependence
Kappa (μ) opiate receptor
Tell me what you know about its effect on the body
IUPHAR name for it: KOP
EFFECTS analgesia: spinal, supraspinal
Resp: Possible depression
CNS: Sedation, dysphoria, psychomimetric reactions (hallucinations/delirium)
Miosis (shrinking pupils) GI: Inhibition of peristalsis, N/V
GU: Diuresis (inhibition of vasopressin release)
*low abuse potential and ?used for antishivering
Delta (δ) opiate receptor
Tell me what you know about its effects on the body when stimulated
IUPHAR name for it: DOP
EFFECTS
analgesia: supraspinal, spinal, modulates mu-receptor activity
Resp: depression
GU: Urinary retention
*Pruritis and physical dependence
Name drugs which are agonists to all three opiate receptors?
Morphine
Meperidine
Fentanyl
Sufentanil
Alfentanil
Remifentanil
Name drugs which are:
Antagonist of Mu receptor
Partial agonist of Kappa receptor
Agonist of Delta receptor
Butorphanol
Nalbuphine
Name drugs which are antagonists of all three opiate receptors?
Naloxone
Naltrexone
Nalmefene
Effect of Opioid on the Respiratory System
- Cough suppressant (however a rapid bolus can cause a cough)
- Depress upper and lower respiratory track reflexes
- Decrease ventilatory response to hypercapnia and hypoxia
- Onset of apnea occurs before unconsciousness
- Potential for skeletal muscle rigidity
Effects of Opioids on the Cardiovascular System
- Relatively hemodynamically stable
- Bradycardia resulting from medullary vagal stimulation with little effect on BP in healthy patients •Dose dependent vasodilation
If the drug releases histamine, can induce hypotension
Effects of Opioids on the Gastrointestinal System
- Decrease gastric and intestinal motility
- constipation, ileus
- Prolong gastric emptying time
- Reduce GI track secretory activity
Effects of Opioids on the Endocrine System
- Reduced stress response (immunosuppressive)
- Inhibition of hormones (ex corticotropin) from the pituitary gland (HPA axis)
- Decreased BMR (basal metabolic rate) and temperature by resetting hypothalamus temperature regulation
- Inhibition of vasopressin release
Describe what happens after an opioid such as morphine is injected into the intrathecal or epidural space
it diffuses into the substantia gelatinosa (Rexed’s lamina II) and unites with opioid receptors on the nerve terminal of the primary pain afferent.
The release of substance P is reduced, and, hence, the transmission of impulses through the substantia gelatinosa is inhibited.
THIS IS KNOWN AS SPINAL ANESTHESIA
Mu-1, mu-2, kappa, and delta receptors mediate ______ analgesia.
spinal
Spinal opioid analgesia is mediated primarily by
mu-2 receptors
How does spinal anesthesia side effects differ from systemic opioid administration?
Same side effects as systemic opioids with increased frequency of pruritus and urinary retention
Antagonism of Pruritis
- Nalbuphine most effective as a mu/kappa opioid partial agonist
- Retains analgesia and treats pruritis
- Droperidol, antihistamines, odansetron
- May reverse analgesia: naloxone, naltrexone (be thoughtful administering this one)
Pruritis, what does it occur with? Mechanism of action?
•Rash, itching, warmth in blush are of face, upper chest, arms, nausea & vomiting
Occurs with:
- Histamine (morphine) and nonhistamine-releasing (fentanyl) opiates
- Prominent with neuraxial route (morphine)
Mechanism: Central mu receptors, not local histamine release
Fentanyl Absorption & Dosing
Absorption
•Routes: Transmucosal, IM, IV, epidural, intrathecal, transdermal
Dosing
- Induction dose as adjunct: 1 – 3 mcg/kg
- Infusion: 0.01 – 0.05 mcg/kg/min
- Small dose boluses: 25 – 50 mcg
Distribution & Redistribution of Fentanyl
Distribution (intravenous)
- Onset: 2 – 5 minutes
- Peak effect: 20 – 30 minutes
- DOA: 0.5 – 1 hours
Redistribution
•Extensive uptake in lungs and red blood cells
Metabolism & Excretion of Fentanyl
Metabolism
•Hepatic metabolism to inactive metabolite norfentanyl
Excretion
•Eliminated in feces and urine
Pulmonary first pass of Fentanyl can cause ___
coughing
Special considerations for a Fentanyl patch
- Once applied, it takes 11 hours for peak effect
- Once removed, it takes 18 hours for plasma concentration to decrease by half
Meperidine Absorption & Dosing
Absorption
•Routes: PO, IV, IM
Dosing
•Intravenous small dose boluses: 12.5 – 25 mg
Distribution of Meperidine
Distribution (intravenous)
- Onset: 5 minutes
- Peak effect: 30 - 60 minutes
- DOA: 2 - 4 hours
Metabolism, Excretion & clinical effect of Meperidine
Metabolism
- Hepatic metabolism via CYP450 system to its active metabolite = normeperidine (½ the analgesic & ½ life significantly longer than meperidine)
- Lowers seizure threshold, induces CNS excitability
- Accumulation causes CNS excitation
- Tremors, muscle twitches, seizures
- Risk with renal failure, high dose chronic use
Excretion
•Eliminated by the kidneys