Autonomic Pharmacology Flashcards
What drugs are part of the Direct-Acting Cholinoceptor Agonists: Choline Esters class?
Acetylcholine
Methacholine
Carbachol
Bethanechol
Mnemonic: Ace Met Beth in his Car and Ester on a date
Characteristics of Choline Esters
All have cationic quaternary ammonium –> makes them insoluble in lipids
(Poor GI absorption/Poor CNS distribution)
Which two Choline Esters are insusceptible to Cholinesterase?
Carbachol
Bethanechol
Mnemonic: Beth avoids AchE in her Car
What is the action of Choline Esters similar to?
M2 or M3 Activation
Acetylcholine
- Class
- Muscarinic Effects
- Nicotinic Effects
Class: ***Prototype*** Choline Ester (Direct-Acting Cholinoceptor Agonist)
Muscarinic:
Cardiovascular-
Low Doses: Vasodilation –> reflex tachycardia
High Doses (M2 Effects): Bradycardia ; Decreased A-V conduction; (-) Inotropy
Bronchial constriction, increased bronchial secretion
Salivary excretion, tears, sweat
Urinary bladder contraction
Eye short-lasting miosis
Nicotinic: NOT COMMONLY SEEN, since Ach does not penetrate the fat surrounding skeletal muscle and autonomic ganglia
Acetylcholine
- Clinical Uses (2)
Use:
Eye Surgery (short-lasting MIOSIS)
PROVOCATION TEST in Coronary Angiography (Dx: Coronary Vasospasm)
Methacholine (Provocholine)
- Class/About
- Clinical Uses
Class: Choline Ester (Direct-Acting Cholinoceptor Agonist)
Similar to Ach in action, but has longer half life
Use:
- Methacholine Challenge (inhaled) –> Bronchiolar Hypersensitivity (excessive BronchoCONSTRICTION)
- Belladonna alkaloid poisoning (SubQ) –> Dose would NOT elicit normal MUSCARINIC effects in someone with this
Carbachol
- Class
- Effects
- Clinical Uses
Class: Choline Ester (Direct-Acting Cholinoceptor Agonist)
Effects:
Therapeutic Doses: Activate both NICOTINIC and MUSCARINIC cholinoceptors (Nicotinic effects - Autonomic Ganglia, Adrenal Medulla, Skeletal muscle)
High Doses: Muscarinic effects - May include CARDIAC ARREST
Use:
Glaucoma (contracts Ciliary muscle, enlarges canal of Schlemm, increases drainage of Aq. Hum., Decreases Intraocular Pressure)
Bethanechol (Urecholine)
- Class
- Effects
- Clinical Uses
Class: Quaternary Choline Ester (Direct-Acting Cholinoceptor Agonist)
Effects: Acts Predominantly on M3 (NO nicotinic effects)
Genitourinary: increased detrusor tone, decreases outlet resistance of internal sphincter
Gastrointestinal: increased motility and secretion
Weak effects on M2 - minimal cardiac effects
Clinical Uses:
Gastric Atony after vagotomy to reduce reflux (INCREASES lower esophageal sphincter tone)
Gastric Emptying Abnormalities
Urinary RETENTION (in the ABSENCE of obstruction)
Mnemonic: Beth think Bladder
What drugs are part of the Direct-Acting Cholinoceptor Agonists: Muscarinic Alkaloids class?
Muscarine
Pilocarpaine
Mnemonic: Al has a Pile of Muscles
Muscarine
- Class
- Properties
Class: Muscarinic Alkaloid (Direct-Acting Cholinoceptor Agonist) Quaternary Ammonium Compound
Properties: No Nicotinic Activity; 100x more potent than Ach and has a longer duration of action than Ach, as it is not broken down by AchE because it is not a choline ester)
Muscarine Poisoning
- Cause
- Symptoms
Cause: Mushrooms (e.g. Amanita Muscaria)
Sx: A very WET PICTURE
- Salivation, sweat, tear flow
- Abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, blurred vision, dyspnea
- Severe Cases: cardiac/respiratory failure and Death
***Symptoms normally subside within 2 hours***
Pilocarpine (Isopto Carpine, Salagen)
- Class
- Effects
- Clinical Use
Class: Muscarinic Alkaloid (Direct-Acting Cholinoceptor Agonist) Tertiary Amine
Effects: Produces Ophthalmic (M3) Effects similar to Ach (applied Topically)
Contracts iris sphincter muscles –> Miosis
Frees entrance to Canal of Schlemm –> Narrow-angle Glaucoma
Enhances tone of trabecular network –> Wide-angle Glaucoma
Contracts the ciliary muscle (Lens becomes more spherical) –> Accomodation__/LOSS of FAR vision
Uses:
GLAUCOMA (***Drug of choice***), Xerostomia (dry mouth - given orally), tests the AUTONOMIC STATE (similar to Methacholine Challenge)
What drugs are part of the Direct-Acting Cholinoceptor Agonists: Nicotinic Alkaloids class?
Nicotine
Succinylcholine
Mnemonic: Nicotine Succs
Nicotine
- Class
- Action on NM
Class: ***Prototype***Nicotinic Alkaloid (Direct-Acting Cholinoceptor Agonist)
NM Action:
Skeletal Muscle Contraction
Fasciculations, spasm
Depolarizing Blockade –> Paralysis (Similar to Succinylcholine under neuromuscular blocking drugs)
Nicotine
- Action on NN
NN Action: Stimulate both sympathetic and parasympathetic post-ganglion neurons
Cardiac: increased heart rate (sympathetic > parasymp)
Vascular: mostly sympathetic innervation –> peripheral vasoconstriction
GI: increased gut motility/secretion
Carotid Bodies: increased respiratory rate
Medullary Emetic Chemoreceptors: nausea and vomiting
Nicotine
- Clinical Indications
Smoking cessation
-Stimulates the hypothalamus to secrete more cortisol
What are some Contraindications (3) and Drug Interactions (3) to consider when administering Direct-Acting Cholinoceptor Agonists?
Contraindications:
Peptic Ulcers (Increased Gastric Acid secretion)
GI Tract Disorders
Asthma (Bronchoconstriction)
Drug Interactions: Drugs having antimuscarinic properties can block the effects of muscarinic agonists
(e.g. Quinidine (antiarrhythmics), Procainamide (antiarrhythmics), Tricyclic Antidepressants
What drugs are part of the Indirect-Acting Cholinesterase Inhibitors/Cholinomimetics: Reversible class?
Edrophonium
Neostigmine
Physostigmine
Donepezil
Tacrine
Mnemonic: Ed and Don Physically Tackled Neo
Edrophonium
- Class
- Characteristics
- Clinical Uses
Class: Indirect-Acting Cholinesterase Inhibitors/Cholinomimetic: Reversible
Characteristics: Short-acting
Uses: Diagnosis of MYASTHENIA GRAVIS (MG) ; If Edrophonium IMPROVES the symptoms, then it confirms diagnosis of MG vs. Cholinergic crisis, neurasthenic/infectious/endocrine/congenital/neoplastic/degenerative neuromuscular disorders
Neostigmine, Pyridostigmine
- Class
- Characteristics
- Clinical Uses
Class: Indirect-Acting Cholinesterase Inhibitors/Cholinomimetic: Reversible
Chracteristics: Quaternary amines (NO CNS ENTRY), Intermediate Acting
Uses: Ileus (Abdominal Distension), Urinary Retention (Non-obstructive), Myasthenia, Reversal of non-depolarizing NM Blockers
Mnemonic: Neostigmine has Neo (No) CNS action
Physostigmine
- Class
- Characteristics
- Clinical Uses
Class: Indirect-Acting Cholinesterase Inhibitors/Cholinomimetics: Reversible
Characteristics: Tertiary Amine (ENTERS CNS), Intermediate Acting
Uses: Glaucoma (2nd line due to blocked accomodation and causation of myopia); antidote to Atropine Overdose
Mnemonic: Physostigmine physically enters the CNS
Donepezil, Tacrine
- Class
- Characteristics
- Clinical Uses
Class: Indirect-Acting Cholinesterase Inhibitors/Cholinomimetics: Reversible
Characteristics: Lipid-soluble (ENTERS CNS)
Use: Treats Alzheimer Disease (increases cholinergic neurotransmitters in the CNS)
Organophosphates
- Class
- Characteristics
- Clinical Uses
Class: Indirect-Acting Cholinesterase Inhibitors/Cholinomimetics: IRr__eversible
Characteristics: Lipid-soluble (CNS ENTRY), Long-acting IRREVERSIBLE inhibitors of AchE
Uses: Glaucoma (echothiophosphate), Insecticides (malathion, parathion), Nerve Gas (sarin)
Symptoms of AchE Inhibitor/Cholinomimetic Toxicity
D - Diarrhea
U - Uncontrolled urination (contraction of detrusor)
M - Miosis (constriction of sphincter)
B - Bronchiolar constriction
B - Bradycardia (decreased contractility)
E - Excitement, convulsion, coma
L - Lacrimation (tears)
S - Sweating
S - Salivation
How is AchE Inhibitor/Cholinomimetic Toxicity managed clinically?
Symptomatic
Airway control/oxygen delivery
Cardiovascular support
Antidote: Atropine (muscarinic receptor antagonist)
-Relieves tracheobronchial/salivary secretion, bronchoconstriction, bradycardia, peripheral ganglionic and central actions of anti-AchE
Regeration of AchE: Praladoxim (2-PAM)
- Reverses phosphorylation of AchE (by AchE inhibitors)
- Does not work for neostigmine, physostigmine, or rapidly-aged phosphorylated AchEs
What drugs are part of the Cholinoceptor-Blocking Drugs: Muscarinic Receptor Antagonist (Antimuscarinic) class?
Atropine
Ipratropium
Benztropine
Mnemonic: Ipray for a Benz and Atrophy
Atropine
- Class
- Characteristics
Class: ***Prototype*** Muscarinic Receptor Antagonists (Antimuscarinic)
Characteristics: Tertiary Amine (ENTERS CNS), Competes with Ach & M at receptors ; DOES NOT DISTINGUISH between M1, M2, M3 receptors
Atropine
- Pharacologic Effects (in order of increasing dose)
Decreased secretions (salivary, bronchiolar, sweat)
Mydriasis and Cycloplegia
Hyperthermia
Tachycardia
Sedation
Urinary retention and constipation
Behavioral excitation and hallucinations
***Note: completely counteracts vasodilation caused by choline esters
DOES NOT affect blood pressure when given ALONE
Atropine
- Clinical Uses
Uses:
Antispasmodic (relaxes)
Antisecretory (dries)
Management of AchE inhibitor overdose
Antidiarrheal (dries)
Ophthalmology
Prevents vagal reaction (pericardiocentesis) by increasing heart rate
Treatment of acute intoxication: Symptomatic, Physostigmine
Ipratropium (Atrovent)
- Class
- Characteristics
- Clinical Uses
Class: Non-selective Muscarinic Receptor Antagonist (Antimuscarinic)
Characteristics: Mainly acts on M3 in Bronchial smooth muscle/glands when inhaled ; Quaternary amine (NO CNS ENTRY)
- Decreases bronchoconstriction
- Decreases bronchial constriction
Uses: ***1ST LINE THERAPY*** for COPD ; also used for asthma (2nd line therapy)
Benztropine (Cogentin)
- Class
- Characteristics
- Clinical Uses
Class: Muscarinic Receptor Antagonists (Antimuscarinic)
Characteristics: Tertiary Amine (CNS ENTRY) ; Acts on Muscarinic receptors in the BRAIN and PARASYMPATHETIC EFFECTOR SITES
- Re-establishes Dopaminergic-Cholinergic Balance** in patients with **Parkinson’s Disease (PD: decreased dopaminergic –> cholinergic goes unchecked)
- Decreases GI/GU secretions (Dries) and motility
- Increases heart rate
Uses: Parkinson’s Disease (2nd or 3rd line therapy to antipsychotic)
What drugs are part of the Cholinoceptor-Blocking Drugs: Nicotinic Receptor Antagonists (NN & NM)/GANGLION BLOCKING AGENTS class?
Hexamethonium
Mecamylamine
Mnemonic: Mecca Hex
Hexamethonium and Mecamylamine
- Class
- Characteristics
- Clinical Uses
Class: ***GANGLION BLOCKING AGENTS*** Nicotinic Receptor Antagonists (Antinicotinic NN & NM)
Characteristics: Reduce predominant autonimic tone
-Prevent baroreceptor reflex changes in Heart Rate
***Most are no longer available due to TOXICITIES***
What are the effects of Ganglion Blocking Agents on Arterioles, Veins, Heart, Iris, Ciliary Muscle, GI Tract, Bladder, Salivary Glands, Sweat Glands?
Arterioles (SANS) –> Vasodilation, hypotension
Veins (SANS) –> Dilation, decreased venous return, decreased CO
Heart (PANS) –> Tachycardia
Iris (PANS) –> Mydriasis
Ciliary Muscle (PANS) –> Cycloplegia (paralysis –> loss of accomodation)
GI Tract (PANS) –> Decreased tone/motility - constipation
Bladder (PANS) –> Urinary retention
Salivary Glands (PANS) –> Xerostomia
Sweat Glands (SANS) –> Anhidrosis
What drugs are in the Cholinoceptor-Blocking: Neuromuscular Blocking Drugs (Antinicotinic NM) class?
D-tubocurarine (Non-depolarizing)
Succinylcholine (Depolarizing)
What are some important properties of Neuromuscular Blocking Drugs? Clinical Uses?
- They all structurally resemble Ach
- Interfere with transmission at the neuromuscular endplate
- Interefere by preventing channel opening** (Non-depolarizing) or channel **closing (Depolarizing)
- Highly ionized, Quaternary Amines (NO CNS ENTRY)
Clinical Uses: Facilitation of Tracheal Intubation ; optimize surgical conditions while ensuring adequate ventilation
D-Tubocurarine
- Class
- Mechniasm of Action
Class: Non-Depolarizing Neuromuscular (NM) Blocking Drug
MoA:
Small Doses: Prevent opening of Na+ channel by binding to receptor and competing with Ach
Large Doses: enter channel pores
-Block pre-junctional Na+ channels –> Decreased Ach release
Succinylcholine (Anectine)
- Class
- Mechanism of Action
Class: Depolarizing Neuromuscular (NM) Blocking Drug
MoA:
Phase 1 Blockade: Binding to NM receptors –> persistant depolarization –> paralysis
-Augmented by AchE inhibitors
Phase 2 Blockade: End plate is finally repolarized, however, is DESENSITIZED and will not depolarize easily again
What are some clinical uses of Neuromuscular Blockers (i.e. D-tubocurarine and Succinylcholine)?
-
Decrease neuromuscular transmission during anesthsia
- Larger muscles are more resistant than smaller muscles
- Diaphragm responds last (recovery is in reverse order) - Tracheal Intubation
- Control of Ventilation
- Treatment of Convulsions
- Decreased manifestations of seizures
- No effect on central processes that occur during convulsion
What are some side effects of Neuromuscular Blockers?
-
Cardiovascular: Hypotension (Histamine release due to Tubocurarine) –> prevented with ANTIHISTAMINES
- High doses –> Ganglion blockade –> severe HYPOtension - Hyperkalemia (response to Succinylcholine from patients with burns, nerve damage, or neuromuscular disease)
- Increased Intraocular Pressure (due to Succinylcholine ; only contraindicated if anterior chamber is OPEN due to trauma)
- Increased Gastric Pressure (can cause aspiration/regurgitation in heavily-muscled patients)
- Muscle Pain (heavily-muscled and largely-dosed patients)
What drugs are part of the Selective Direct Acting Adrenergic Agonist class?
Phenylephrine (a1)
Clonidine (a2)
Terbutaline (B2)
Fenoldopam (D1)
Mnemonic: You can Find Old Pam playing the Pine TPC
Phenylephrine (Neo-Synephrine)
- Class
- Mechanism of Action
- Clinical Uses
Class: alpha 1 - Selective Adrenergic Receptor Agonist
MoA:
- Activate alpha adrenergic receptors on vascular smooth muscle –> increased blood pressure and increased TPR
- Activate Beta receptors only at HIGH concentrations
Use:
- Antihypotensive
- Paroxysmal Atrial Tachycardia
- Nasal Decongestant
- Mydriatic
Clonidine (Catapres)
- Class
- Mechanism of Action
- Clinical Uses
Class: alpha 2 - Selective Adrenergic Receptor Agonist
MoA: Activate Central alpha 2 receptors –> Decreased Central sympathetic outflow –> Decreased Blood Pressure
Uses: Systemic Hypertension