Anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive drugs Flashcards
1. Knowledge of common anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive drugs and their indications 2. Knowledge of their mechanisms of action and common side effects 3. Knowledge of likely drug interactions when used with medications prescribed by dentist 4. Knowledge of pre and post treatment screening/monitoring investigations
What are the different types of anti-inflammatory drugs and give examples of them
- Steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs e.g. Corticosteroids like Prednisolone
- NSAIDs e.g. Acetyl salicylic acid (Aspirin)
- Traditional/ non-selective NSAIDs e.g. Ibuprofen, Naproxen
- COX-2 inhibitors e.g. Celecoxib
How is the immune inflammatory response normally initiated
Phospholipids in the bilayer are broken down by phospholipase A2 enzyme to arachidonic acid which breaks down into 5-LOX and COX
- COX-1 is always expressed (as it stimulates normal body functions) and binding causes thromboxane and prostaglandin release which causes vasoconstriction
- COX-2 is induced at the inflammation site and causes prostaglandin release resulting in active inflammatory response
How do corticosteroids work
They inhibit phospholipase A2 which prevents the production of arachidonic acid and so the production of prostaglandins
How do NSAISs work
They inhibit COX 1/2
What does COX-1 and COX-2 collectively stimulate
- Endothelium (PGO2) causing vasodilation and decreasing platelet aggregation
- Kidney (TXA2) causing vasoconstriction and increasing platelet aggregation
What does COX-1 stimulate
- Platelets (TXA2) causing vasoconstriction and increasing platelet aggregation
- Gastric mucosa (PGE2 + PGI2) inhibiting gastric acid and protecting the mucosa
What does COX-2 stimulate
- Joints (PGE2 + PGI2) causing pain and inflammation
What is aspirin
An analgesic, anti-inflammatory and anti-thrombotic NSAID
Where is aspirin metabolised and excreted
Metabolised = liver Excreted = kidney
Which patients should avoid aspirin usage
Those with severe liver damage and those on dialysis
What negative effects does aspirin cause
It permanently affects platelet cohesiveness for their life span (10-14 days) and causes a prolonged bleeding time (primary haemostasis)
- has no effect on platelet count, PT/INR and APPT
Give examples of traditional/non-selective NSAIDs and how they work
Ibuprofen, Naproxen, Diclofenac, Mefenamic acid, Indometacin = analgesics, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic actions
These inhibit COX-1 and COX-2
What are the side effects of traditional/non-selective NSAIDs
- Gastric irritability (increased risk of peptic ulcers which can bleed and cause haemorrhage)
- Platelet dysfunction (affecting cohesiveness)
- Acute renal failure (not with short term low dosage)
- Leukotriene overproduction causing bromchoconstriction (should be avoided in asthmatics)
Give examples of selective NSAIDs/COX-2 inhibitors
These are specific analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic drugs such as Celecoxib or Etoricoxib
These do not affect the gastric mucosa so decrease the risk of peptic ulcers
When should Selective NSAIDs/COX-2 inhibitors be avoided
They are metabolised in the liver and excreted through the kidneys so should be avoided in patients with problems here; High doses can cause acute renal failure
These drugs promote platelet aggregation and so should be avoided in patients with history of atherosclerosis as this increases risk of thrombotic events (MI/Stroke)
What are anti mitotic agents and give exmples
These are drugs inhibiting cell division
- Azathioprine = cytotoxic in early phase of lymphoid cell proliferation
- Cyclophosphamide = cytotoxic to lymphoid cells, B/T cells therefore inhibits establishment of immune response
- Chlorambucil
What are calcineurin inhibitors and give examples
These inhibit macrophage + T-cell iteractions and T-cell responsiveness
- Ciclosporin (Cyclosporine) = protein phosphatase III activating T-cells to stimulate an immune response
- Tacrolimus