Applied Pharmacology Flashcards
Describe the body compartements in terms of drug distribution.
- Central
- Venous
- Peripheral
- Skeletal muscle
- Deep
- Fat or nervous tissue
Describe the pharcacokinetics of the two compartment open model, first order elimination pharmacokinetics.
Drug will be eliminated at a high rate when in the central compartment (the compartement in which it can be eliminated from). As the drug reaches an equilibrium concentration with the peripheral compartment, the elimination of the drug will occur at a slower rate.
What is ion trapping?
A molecule can be trapped in a particular body compartment or part of the body because of changes in solubility with ionization
Describe the Henderson-Hassleback equation for acids and bases.
- For acids
- pH-pKa = log [ionized/non-ionized]
- For bases
- pH-pKa = log [non-ionized/ionized]
What is the pKa?
The pH at which a 50% of a drug is ionized.
What factors must be taken into account when using a veterinary oral drug?
- Ease of administration (animal behavioural factors)
- Taste of the drug
- Interactions drug will have with gastrointestinal environement (food and acidic conditions of the stomach)
- Speed of gastric emptying
- First pass effect: removal of a percentage of the drug as it passes through the liver via the portal circulation before it reaches the systemic circulation
How can one quantify the a drug’s total exposure in an individual.
Indicated by the area under the drug concentration in the body versus time curve.
What does the area under the plasma drug concentration versus time curve (AUC) help quantify?
- Indication of total exposure to the drug
- Used to define bioavailability
- Used to calculate clearance of the drug
Describe certain’s drugs’ interaction with plasma proteins and why this is important.
- Certain drugs reversibly bind highly to plasma proteins (albumin protein, for example)
- Bound drugs do not move across membranes
- Bound drugs can act as a reservoir
- Hypoalbuminaemia may increase free drug
- Use of combinations of plasma protein bound (PPB) drugs may displace each other, increasing amounts of free drugs
What is the volume of distribution (Vd)?
- The volume of fluid required to contain the total amount of drug in the body at the same concentration as that present in the plasma
- Is a theoretical volume
- Vd= Dose given/C0
- where C0 is the peak plasma drug concentration after equilibrium is achieved and before elimination has begun. This is generally derived from extrapolating the Plasma Drug Concentration (PDC)/time curve back to time 0.
- With a known dose given i/v so that F=100%
- Usually given in litres/Kg
At around what value does the volume of distribution (Vd) indicate about equal distribution to the extracellular fluid and intracellular fluid?
~0.6 L/kg
Describe the eliminiation of drug reactions.
- Phase I
- Makes the drug more reactive
- Types of reactions
- Hydrolysis
- Reduction
- Oxidation
- Performed mainly by the hepatic microsomal enzymes, such as cytochrome p450
- Phase II
- Conjugates the drug for eliminiation
- Types of reactions
- Acetylation
- Glucuronidation
- Results in glucuronide conjugate which can be excreted in bile or become hydrolyzed in the gut
- Conjugation to amino acids
Discuss the kinetics of drugs through the kidney.
- Drug is filtered from the blood by Glomerular filtration
- Passive process for which rate is dependent on blood flow, size of molecule and protein-binding
- A drug bound to albumin cannot be filtered through the glomerulus
- Drug is actively transported into the proximal convoluted tubule from surrounding capillaries
- Active tubular secretion of weak acids and weak bases facilitates extraction from the blood, often against a significant concentration gradient.
- Drug can be reabsorbed back into circulation from the distal convoluted tubule
- Passive process
- Lipid soluble molecules are reabsorbed from the tubular lumen
- Dependent on degree of ionization of the drug (pKa) and pH of the urine
What is bioavailability and how is it calculated?
- Defines the extent to which an administered dose of a drug enters the systemic circulation intact
- Referred to as F
- F = AUCcertain route of administration/ AUCiv
What is half life, what factors affect it, and how is it calculated?
- Time taken for the plasma drug concentration to fall by 50%
- Inversely proportional to the clearance and directly proportional to the volume of distribution
- Affected by
- Effects on access to sites of biotransformation or elimination
- Interaction with other drugs
- Physiological/pathological states
- Calculated using
- =0.693/K
- Where K is the slope of the semi-log plasma drug concentration (PDC) versus time curve (first order kinetics)
- =0.693* Vd/Clearance
- =0.693/K
Describe the clearance of a drug and how it is calculated.
- Defined as the volume of blood cleared of all the drug by all elimination processes per unit time, measured in ml/min
- Encompasses biotransformations as well as elimination
- Clearance = Volume of distribution/K
- Where K is the slope of the semi-log plasma drug concentration (PDC) versus time curve (first order kinetics)
What is the drug steady state and how can it be achieved?
- Where the level of drug in the body remains stable from dose to dose
- 95% SS is achieved after 5 half-lives and 99% SS is achieved after 7 half-lives
- Can be achieved by
- Intravenous continuous infusion
- Preferred for use with drugs that have a short half-life
- Loading dose of drug followed by a regular dose at fixed intervals
- Preferred for use with drugs with a long half-life
- Fixed intervals of a fixed dose of drug which takes about 5 half-lives to achieve
- Intravenous continuous infusion
What is a drug’s EC50?
The concentration of drug required to produce 50% of the maximal response
What is a drug’s equilibrium disassociation constant?
Concentration of the drug required to occupy 50% of the receptors.
Describe the G-protein coupled receptor activation cycle.
- Agonist interacts with the G protein coupled receptor brings about a conformational change which stimulates the alpha subunit
- Alpha subunit coverts GDP to GTP
- Alpha subunit dissociates with the beta and gamma subunits and is available to interact with the second messenger system in the cell
- Adenylyl cyclase: alpha subunit interaction can result in either an increase or a decrease in adenylyl cyclase which results in an increase or decrease in cAMP
- Phospholipase C: Interaction of the alpha subunit generally results in an increase in calcium in the cell via opening of calcium channels and/or release of calcium from intracellular stores
- GTP can be converted back to GDP by GTPase (closely associated with alpha subunit)
What is tachyphylaxis?
- Denotes the rapid loss of responsiveness to a drug following initial dosing
- Receptor desensitization may be the reason for this
How can hepatic disease change the drug dosing regimen?
- Effect of disease is complex and it may be difficult to change the dose/interval
- Can causes changes in hepatic blood flow
- Can cause changes in hepatic metabolism
- Can cause descrease in albumin which causes changes in protein binding
List the legislative responsibilities for the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD).
- Assure safety, quality and efficacy of veterinary medicines
- Ensure responsible, safe, and effective use of veterinary medicinal products
- Protect public health, animal health, the environment, and promote animal welfare
What is the role of the Marketing Authorisation Veterinary Information Services (MAVIS)?
- Designed to provide information on the work of the VMD, plans and results, as well as general developments on the control on veterinary medicines
What is the Suspected Adverse Reaction Surveillance Scheme (SARSS)?
- National surveillance scheme which records and monitors adverse reactions
- What is reported:
- Adverse reactions (or lack of effect) in target animals and non-target individuals from exposure of licensed or unlicensed drugs
- Level of drug residue in animal or tissues being higher than expected after withdrawal period
What is the legistlation surrouding Prescription-only medicine- Veterinary (POM-V)?
- Can only be prescribed by a veterinarian following recent or often ‘clinical assessment’ of the animal or herd of animals by a vet
- Can be dispensed by a Vet or Pharmacist
- If the prescribing vet is also the supplier of the drug to the client, no written prescription is required
- Can be advertised through price lists to VS, pharmacists and professional keepers of animals
What is the legistlation surrouding Prescription-only medicine- Veterinarian, Pharmacist, Suitably Qualified Person (POM-VPS)?
- Can be prescribed by any registered qualified person (RQP)
- Clinical assessment of the animal is not required and animal does not have to be seen
- Sufficient information about the animal and the way it is kept must be known to the prescriber in order to prescribe and supply appropriately
- Can be advertised through price lists to VS, pharmacists, SQP, professional keepers of animals, keepers of horses, and other veterinary care professionals
What is the legistlation surrouding Non-food animal- Veterinarian, Pharmacist, Suitable Qualified Person (NFA-VPS)?
- For non-food animals (to avoid the issue with drug residue)
- Do not have to be prescribed, but they can only be supplied by a veterinary surgeon, pharmacist or an SQP
What is the legistlation surrouding Authorized veterinary medicine- general sales list (AVM-GSL)?
- No legal restrictions on the sale or supply by retailers
What is the legislation surrouding the cascade for non-food species in the United Kingdom?
- A product licensed for another condition in the same species or a product licenced for another animal species with the same condition
- A) A UK human licensed product or
B) In accordance with an import certificate, a veterinary medicine authorized for veterinary use in another EU member state - A product prepared extemporaneously by a veterinary surgeon, a pharmacist, or a person holding a manufacturer’s authorization as prescribed by the Veterinary Surgeon (VS); or a veterinary product licensed outwith the EU; or a human licensed product from outwith the UK
- Additional requirements
- Treatment for animals on a single holding
- If the medicine is imported from another member state, it must be licensed for food animals in that state
- Withdrawal period must be specified by prescriber
- Active drug must be listed in Table of Allowed Substances in Comission Regulation EU No37/2010
What special considerations are there for the horse in temrs of the veterinary medicine cascade in the United Kingdom?
- Horses are considered to be a food-producing species unless stated in the horse passport that the animal will not be used for human consumption
- If the horse is for food, then only licensed drugs or drugs listed on the VMD “Substances essential for the treatment of horses” list may be used
- Drugs used by have a specified withdrawal period or a 6-month withdrawal must be used
- Drugs and vaccines should be listed on passport
- If drug used is not licensed or on the ‘substances essential for treatment of horses’ list, the horse may never be used for human consumption and this should be indicated on the horse’s passport
List the schedules for controlled drugs. Describe the unique legistlation for each.
- Schedule 1
- Vets have no authority to possess or prescribe these
- Schedule 2
- Special requirements for requisition, prescribing, record keeping, storage and disposal
- Requisition in writing to the supplier signed by the VS
- Destroyed in the presence of a person authorised by the secretary of state for stocked drugs (not patient returns of drug)
- Stored in a locked receptacle
- Schedule 3
- Special requirements for requisition, prescribing, record keeping, storage and disposal
- Do not have to keep a record
- Should be kept in a locked cabinet
- Schedule 4
- Requirement to keep invoices for 2 years and written prescription valid for 28 days
- RCVS recommendation that ketamine use be tracked by informal register, kept in a locked cabinet and disposed of as for Schedule 2 drugs
- Contains most of the benzodiazipines and the anabolic and androgenic steroids
- Schedule 5
- Invoices need to be kept for 2 years
For how long are written prescriptions valid? What are some other key characteristics of a good written prescription?
- Only valid for 28 days (except Schedule 5)
- Must have total quantity in words and figures
- Must state strength and form of product
- Directions must be specific
- Must state “for animals under my care”
- Should specify the prescriber’s RCVS number (under good practice)
- Should only prescribe a 30-day supply under good practice
Describe the exemption scheme for small animal medicines.
- Some veterinary products can be marketed for these species without a marketing authorization and therefore are not required to prove safety, quality or efficacy
- The active ingredient, species it is used for, and how the product is to be used must be approved by the veterinary drug directorate
- Only for pet animals not intended for human consumption
- Products must be labelled clearly to show that they are being marketed under this scheme
- Products containing antibiotics, narcotics, or phychotropic agents are not included in this scheme
- Products intended for parenteral, ophthalmic, or aural administration may not be included in this scheme
What is the legislation surrounding medicated feedstuff (MFS)?
- Can be classed as POM-V or POM-VPS
- Prescriptions valid for 3 months but only 1 month’s worth can be manufactured at a time
What is the legislation surrounding supplying sheep dips?
- Person supplied must have either a
- Certificate of competence in the Safe Use of Sheep Dips (Certificate number must be kept for 3 year) sor
- NPTC Level 2 Award in Safe Use of Sheep Dip
- If active compound is organophosphorus, supplier must give purchaser two pairs of heavy duty gauntlet-style gloves and a laminated safety notice
How is noradrenaline eliminated from the nerve terminal?
- Re-uptake type 1: taken up into the nerve terminal and broken down by monoamine oxidase
- Re-uptake type 2: taken up by non-neuronal tissue (liver, for example) and broken down by catechol-o-methyl transfe
Describe the alpha1-adrenoreceptors.
- Part of the sympathetic nervous system
- Widely distributed throughout the body
- Couple mainly to Gq (identification of the α subunit)
- The second messenger system usually involves activation of phospholipase C leading to the formation of inosital triphosphate (IP3) and diacylglcerol (DAG). This ultimately causes increased calcium in target cell
Describe the alpha2-adrenoreceptors.
- Part of the sympathetic nervous system
- Some types are a presynaptic receptor, causing negative feedback on norepinephrine (NA) release, for example
- Couple to G-protein receptors to inhibit adenylyl cyclase and thus decrease cAMP in the target cell.
- For example, they are located postjunctionally in vascular smooth muscle (VSM) and cause vasocontriction upon stimulation because they decrease cAMP
- Mediate sedation and have analgesic effect
Describe the Beta1-adrenoreceptors.
- Part of the sympathetic nervous system
- Couple to G-proteins which cause stimulation of adenylyl cyclase which increases cAMP. This, in turn, increases protein kinase A to allow more calcium to both enter and be released by the target cells.
- Found mainly in the heart with stimulation causing
- Increased force of contraction
- Increased conduction
- Increased rate of impulse formation
Describe the Beta2-adrenoreceptors.
- Part of the sympathetic nervous system
- Couple to G-proteins which stimulate or inhibit cAMP production
- Main effects of stimulation:
- Vascular smooth muscle relaxation
- Bronchiodilation
- Stabilize respiratory mast cells
Give an example of a neuropeptide which modulates the enteric nervous system.
Serotonin
Describe nicotinic receptors.
- Found in the pre-ganglionic parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems (NN)
- Found in the somatic nervous system (NM)
- Ligand-gated ion channels which increase permeability to sodium and potassium upon stimulation with acetylcholine
- Depolarizes the target cell and transmits nerve impulses
Describe muscarinic receptors.
- Found post-ganglionic parasympathetic nervous system
- G-protein coupled receptors which are stimulated with acetylcholine
- 5 subtypes exist
What is chronotropy?
Change in heart rate
What is Carbachol and how is it used?
- Muscarinic agonist choline ester
- Used to induce gastric motility and topically to induce miosis
What is Pilocarpine and how is it used?
- Muscarinic agonist cholinomimetic alkaloid
- Used as a topical solution applied to the eye to induce myosis
- Used for the treatment of glaucoma (condition with increase of intraoccular pressure). Constricting of the pupil helps to open up the drainage angle
What is Neostigmine and what is it used for?
- Acetylcholinesterase inhibitor
- Used for the reversal of non-depolarizing muscle relaxants
- Used for treatment of myastheia gravis
- In the most common cases, muscle weakness is caused by circulating antibodies that block acetylcholine receptors at the postsynaptic neuromuscular junction, inhibiting the excitatory effects of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine on nicotinic receptors at neuromuscular junctions (nicotinic subtype m receptors). Neostigmine allows for a higher concentration of endogenous acetylcholine to be present at the neuromuscular junction by limiting the breakdown of endogenous Ach through inhibition of acetylcholine esterase. Thus, there is a greater amount of endogenous Ach present at the neuromuscular junction to overcome the blocked cholinergic receptors.
- Can be given orally or intravenously
What is Atropine and what is it used for?
- Muscarinic antagonist (parasympatholytic)
- Can be given i/m, i/v, and p/o
- Metabolized in the liver and excreted by the kidneys
- Uses
- Premedicant to decrease salivation
- Antispasmotic agent of the gut
- Decreases gastric secretion
- Dilation of the pupil for examination
What is cycloplegia?
Paralysis of the ciliary muscle of the eye, resulting in a loss of accommodation
How are parasympathetic drugs used peri-operatively?
- Non-depolarizing muscle blocker is administered as a relaxant
- Acts by competitively blocking the binding of ACh to its receptors at the neuro-muscular junction
- Subsequent reverse of the muscle blocker is achieved by administering acetylcholine esterase inhibitor to increase acetylcholine at the nicotinic/muscarninic receptors and regain nervous function
- Muscarinic antagonist is also administered to control unwanted muscarinic effect (excessive parasympathetic function)
What is adrenaline? Describe its actions in the body.
- Non-selective sympathetic agonists (acts at both α- and β-adrenoreceptors)
- Increases heart rate and force of contraction
- Induces vasoconstriction
- Can induce tachycardias and arrhythmias
What is isoprenaline and what is its action in the body?
- Sympathetic nervous drug
- Non-selective β-adrenergic agonist
- Has positive inotropic (increased contractility of the heart) and chronotropic effects (changes the heart rate)
- Can induce arrhythmias and, in severe cases, myocardial necrosis
What is dopamine and what is its action on the body?
- Sympathetic non-selective agonist
- Stimulation by low doses of dopamine leads to increase in intracellular cAMP
- In blood vessels, it inhibits norepinephrine release and acts as a vasodilator (at normal concentrations)
- Leads to increased renal perfusion and filtration in the kidneys, increasing sodium excretion and urine output
- Used for prevention and management of acute renal failure
- Dopamine at high doses can induce vasoconstriction through vascular α1-adrenoreceptors
What is phenylpropanolamine and what are its effects on the body?
- Sympathetic α-agonist drug
- Has tyramine-like activity in that it induces the release of NA from the nerve terminal
- Most important use is in the treatment of urinary incontinence in the bitch
- Has been used as a nasal decongestant
- Can induce hyperexcitability, especially in cats
What is dobutamine and what are its actions on the body?
- Sympathetic beta1-agonist drug
- Will have primarily cardiac effects; increasing heart rate and force of contraction of the heart
What is clenbuterol and what are its actions in the body? What are some other drugs with similar action?
- Sympathetic Beta2-agonist drug
- Includes Terbutaline and isoxuprine
- Induces bronchodilation
- Can be used in the treatment of Reccurent Airway Obstruction (RAO) in horses
What is phenyleprine and what are its actions on the body? Name a drug with similar actions.
- Sympathetic a1-adrenoreceptor agonists drug
- Includes Prazosin
- Will induce vasoconstriction, increase the force of myocardial contraction, and induce mydriasis
What is clonidine? Describe its effects in the body.
- Sympathetic a2-Adrenoceptor agonists drug
- Has central sedative effects
- Stimulates the release of Growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRF)