Autonomic Drugs Flashcards
Alpha 2 Receptors
PRESYNAPTIC, “autoreceptors” that perform feedback inhibition of adenylate cyclase to decrease levels of cAMP.
Can limit vasoconstriction by preventing further NE release from synapse
Alpha 1 Receptors
POSTSYNAPTIC, downstream signaling via DAG/IP3 leading to increased calcium.
Increase HR, vasoconstriction, leading to increased BP
Epinephrine
Targets both alpha and beta receptors. Therefore, it creates a limited increase in BP (vasoconstriction caused by alpha activation overcomes vasodilation from beta activation)
Contrast the effect of alpha- and beta- receptor blockade on epinephrine-induced change in BP and HR.
ALPHA receptor blockers - allow only the vasodilation effects due to epinephrine-stimulated beta-receptors to be seen, so you get BP decrease.
BETA receptor blockers - allow only the vasoconstrictive effects due to epinephrine-stimulated alpha-receptors to be seen, so see further increase in BP.
Norepinephrine
Selectively targets alpha receptors (but can target beta1 receptors). Therefore, it creates an increase in BP due to vasoconstriction from alpha activation.
Contrast the effects of alpha- and beta-receptor blockade on norepinephrine-induced change in BP and HR
ALPHA receptor blockers - prevent vasoconstriction due to alpha activation and (sense no beta affect really significant) does NOT cause vasodilation.
BETA receptor blockers - does NOT affect the vasoconstriction effects due to norepinephrine-stimulated alpha-receptors to be seen, so see no change in the increased BP.
What you see a deceleration in HR with alpha-receptors?
NO. Only administration of beta-blockers would cause a deceleration in HR. No alpha-receptors affect HR.
B-1 and 2 effects on heart
SA node - accelerates
Ectopic pacemakers - accelerates
Contractility - increases
Effects of receptor activation in blood vessels
Skin, splanchnic vessels - alpha causes contraction
Skeletal muscle vessels - B2 causes relaxation
Name the alpha blockers
Doxazosin Terazosin Prozosin Phenoxybenzamine Phentolamine
Identify relative receptor specificity of the alpha agents
a1»_space;> a2 seen in doxazosin, terazosin, and prozosin
a1 > a2 seen in phenoxybenzamine
a1=a2 seen in phentolamine
Compare the differences in PK and dose schedule for principal alpha blockers
Doxazosin (22 hr, daily) Terazosin (12 hr, daily) Prozosin (4 hr, q8hr) Phenoxybenzamine (slow onset, 3-4 day duration) Phentolamine (short acting)
Distinguish between alpha1 specific and alpha1/2 drugs with respect to mechanism of drug-induced changes in CO
a1 specific blockers work by blocking the binding of NE to post-synaptic nerve endings (so you don’t get vasoconstriction, leading to decreased peripheral resistance, which decreases BP).
Nonspecific alpha-blockade causes presynaptic a2-receptors to increase NE release (by blocking the negative feedback inhibition), resulting in increased CO, which tempers the BP lowering action you get from a1 blockers.
Adverse effects with alpha-blocker therapy
First dose orthostatic hypotension: worse with prazosin (reduce dose, take with food, or take before bed) CV problems (sinus-tach, syncope, vertigo): with non-specific alpha-blockers. These block feedback inhibition of a2 receptors, so you get increased release of NE and EPI that can act on beta receptors to cause tachycardia.
Evaluate the revised role of alpha-blockers as primary drug therapy for HTN
These are NOT as extensively used now, because of a trial that indicated that they were not as effective as diuretic agents in preventing heart attacks
What is the role of beta-adrenergic receptors in the heart
accelerates SA node
accelerates ectopic pacemaker
increase in contractility (beta1)
What is the role of beta-adrenergic receptors in the vascular system
releases skeletal muscle vessel (beta2)
What is the role of beta-adrenergic receptors in the juxtaglomerular cells
beta1 receptors stimulate renin release
Identify relative receptor specificity of the beta blockers
2nd generation: b1»>b2 seen with A, B, Ce, E, M, and Ne “olol’s”
1st generation: b1 = b2 seen with Ca, P, and T “olol’s”
Which beta-blockers have membrane stabilizing activity
Carvediol, Albutol, and Propranolol Known as class I anti-arrhythmics because they bind to and block fast sodium channels responsible for rapid depolarization (phase 0) of fast-response cardiac APs
Which beta-blockers have intrinsic sympathomimetic activity
Pindolol, Albutolol
Some people on beta-blockers experience bradycardia at rest and need drugs with ISA. These are partial agonists that STIMULATE RESTING HEART but will antagonize stimulated heart.
Which beta-blockers have high lipid solubility
Penbutolol, Propranolol
Capable of crossing the BBB and tend to have worse CNS adverse effects (like depression and vivid dreaming)
Identify some extended pharmacologic action of the beta-blockers
NO production (carteolol)
Beta2 agonism for vasodilation (carteolol)
Alpha1 antagonist to prevent reflex vasoconstrictive effect resulting in BP rise that is produced by BB during first few doses (carvedilol, labetalol)
Ca2+ entry blockade to prevent vasoconstriction (carvedilol, betaxolol)
Anti-oxidant (carvedilol)
How does beta-blockers reduce BP with long-term use
BBs have no effect on the increase in BP d/t EPI and NE - however, over time they lead to a decrease in BP in pts with HTN only.
- not reliant on renin (e.g. propranolol most effective in patients with elevated plasma renin)a
- presynaptic auto-receptors enhance NE release
- long-term admin leads to a fall in PVR to decrease BP
Adverse CV events of BB treatment
CHF
Bradycardia (especially with calcium channel antagonists; especially drugs impairing SA node fxn or AV conduction such as verapamil)
Cold extremities
Sudden angina and death if discontinue after long-term treatment (b/c you had upregulated receptors during treatment)
List the principal “OFF TARGET” effects of beta-blockers
LUNGS: non-selective BB NOT for people with asthma or COPD
CNS: depression, mental disorders, vivid dreams
GLUCOSE: hypoglycemia bc beta2 stimulates hepatic glycogenolysis and pancreatic glucagon release; diabetics must be cautious bc BB mask tachycardia of insulin-induced hypoglycemia
LIPID: beta receptors mediate lipolysis and BB increase TGs and decrease HDLs - not seen with drugs that are cardioselective and have ISA
Which BB has an extremely short half-life and is the only BB that must be administered by IV infusion?
Esmolol
Describe the off-target pulmonary effects of BB in detail
Blockade of bronchial smooth muscle B2 receptors –> these receptors promote bronchodilation in patients with bronchospastic disease.
Life-threatening increase in airway resistance
B1 selective drugs or those with ISA seem less likely to incude bronchospasm
Selectivity of current blockers is not absolute! SO, BB should be avoided if possible in asthmatics and those with COPD
Which BBs are more likely to be associated with off-target effects on CNS
more associated with lipophilic drugs –> CNS depression can occur, resulting in mental disorders, fatigue, and in some cases vivid dreams (less common with hydrophilic BB)
What are the symptoms of BB toxicity?
Bradycardia Hypotension Arrhythmias Hypothermia Hypoglycemia Seizures
Describe the prevailing autonomic tone of the principal organ systems and consequence of ganglionic blocker
Arterioles and Veins have predominantly SYMPATHETIC tone, such that when a ganglionic blocker is administered this will lead to loss of sympathetic tone (vasodilation –> reduction in BP)
Heart has PARASYMPATHETIC (or cholinergic) tone, so loss of parasympathetic tone can lead to tachycardia
What is the NT involved in sympathetic and parasympathetic ganglia
ACh binds to cholinergic (GPCR) and nicotinic (ligand-gated ion channels) receptors on postganglionic membrane to maintain vascular tone and contraction
Describe the MOA of ganglionic blockers
Ganglionic blockers are antagonists of cholinergic nicotinic receptors that impact vascular tone and nerves innervating the heart. TRIMETHAPHAN works as a competitive antagonist of ACh that blocks the binding site of the nicotinic receptor so that NO EPSP can form and NO ganglionic transmission can occur.