Analgesics Flashcards
Analgesia and Pain pathway
- Noiceptors are stimulated by pain and originate in the periphery
- They send action potential to the dorsal horn of the spinal cord
- Synapses with secondary neuron via glutamate and neuropeptide transmitters send action potential to brain where we “sense pain”
Basically, there are opioid receptors at all these locations which can inhibit pain
What are the four different opiod receptors?
mu, kappa, delta, sigma
What are engogenous agonists of Mu receptors?
Beta endorphin
Met-encephalin
Example drugs that act on Mu receptors?
Morphine
Fentanyl
Clinical effects of Mu receptor agonists?
Supraspinal analgesia µ1
Respiratory depression µ2
Physical dependence
Muscle rigidity
What are the clinical effects of Kappa (K) agonists?
Sedation
Spinal analgesia
Example of Kappa endogenous agonists?
Dynorphin
Example Kappa agonist drugs?
Morphine
Nalbuphine
Butorphanol
Oxycodone
Example delta receptor clinical effects?
Analgesia
Behavioral
Epileptogenic
What are endogenous agonists of delta receptors?
Leu-enkephaline
Beta endorphin
Clinical effects of sigma activation?
Dysphoria
Hallucinations
Respiratory stimulation
Example sigma receptor agonists?
Pentazocine
Nalorphine
What is the mechanism of action of opioids binding to thier receptors?
Opioid receptors inhibit the presynaptic release of excitatory neurotransmitters (Ach, Substance P, NE, 5HT) which are normally released by noiceptive neurons (pain receptors)
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Where are opioid receptors located?
Peripheral and CNS tissue
How can opioids be delivered?
Systemically or directly (spinal analgesia)
What is the benefit of direct spinal analgesia with opioids?
This spinal action provides a regional analgesic effect while reducing the unwanted respiratory depression, nausea and vomiting, and sedation that may occur from the supraspinal actions of systemically administered opioids.
Upon activated opioid G-proteins at the membrane, what are the two main ways in which opioids stop the transmission of the pain signal (Action potential)
- MOR (Mu opioid receptors) are activated and close voltage gated Ca2+ channels on presynaptic nerve terminals, inhibiting NT release
- They open K+ channels and hyperpolarize the cell, inhibiting postsynaptic neurons