B1 Drugs Flashcards
mechanism of up-regulation of LRL-r (via statins)
- SREBP precursor protein anchored in the ER by two membrane-spanning helices.
- SCAP: cholesterol-sensing protein: SREBP cleavage activating protein (Scap)
- Sterols (like cholesterol) bind to SCAP and prevent release from ER membrane
- When cholesterol decreases, SREBP-SCAP transported to Golgi and is cleaved by two different proteases called site-1 protease (S1P) and site-2 protease (S2P).
- Now have a “ transcriptionally active SREBP” which travels to the nucleus where it activates transcription of target genes.
Pharmacokinetics of Statins
- Extensive first-pass metabolism by the liver
- LIMITS SYSTEMIC BIOAVAILABILITY
- TARGETS LIVER/SITE OF ACTION
- first-pass hepatic uptake of these statins by transporter OATP1B1 after their oral administration helps to exert the pharmacological effect and also minimizes the escape of drug molecules into the circulating blood, thereby minimizing the exposure in a target of adverse response
Statin Metabolism
- All the statins, except simvastatin and lovastatin, are administered in the -hydroxy acid form, which is the form that inhibits HMG-CoA reductase.
- Simvastatin and lovastatin are administered as inactive lactones, which must be transformed in the liver to their respective -hydroxy acids, simvastatin acid and lovastatin acid.
- Atorvastatin, lovastatin, and simvastatin are primarily metabolized by CYP3A4.
- Under steady-state conditions, small amounts of the parent drug and its metabolites produced in the liver can be found in the systemic circulation.
- Table is summary comparing different statin drugs
- In 2001 cerivastatin was removed from market because of increased # of fatal adverse effects • The withdrawal of cerivastatin demonstrates that all statins are not interchangeable.
Statin Adverse Effects
MAJOR adverse effect
• Myopathy
• muscle pain (usually symmetrical, involving proximal muscles) without creatinine kinase (CK) elevation [or less frequently with mild CK elevation.]
• Muscle disease/weakness
- Rhabdomyolysis
- muscle symptoms with marked CK elevation (typically > 10 × upper limit of normal) and with creatinine elevation
- breakdown of muscle fibers that leads to the release of myoglobin into the bloodstream. Myoglobin is harmful to the kidney and often causes kidney damage.
MINOR
• GI side effects
• Increase in liver enzymes
Genetics and Statin Intolerance
- A single nucleotide polymorphism in SLCO1B1, which encodes an organic anion transporter that regulates the hepatic uptake of statins, was strongly associated with statin induced myopathy.
- Genetic variants of SLCO1B1 lead to reduced hepatic uptake and increased levels of statins in the blood, providing the mechanism for increased risk of myopathy.
Pharmacokinetic mechanisms by which drugs (specifically STATINS) increase myopathy risk
Drugs are those metabolized primarily by CYP3A4
• (certain macrolide antibiotics (e.g., erythromycin )
• azole antifungals (e.g., itraconazole )
• cyclosporine
• HIV protease inhibitors.
• These pharmacokinetic interactions are associated with increased plasma concentrations of statins and their active metabolites.
Mechanism for statin-induced myopathy
• Depletion of secondary metabolic intermediates
The mevalonate pathway. Statins block the conversion of HMG-CoA to mevalonate by inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase, decreasing cholesterol production but also suppressing formation of isoprenoids required for the normal function of the muscle.
Contraindications to Statin Therapy
- Hypersensitivity
- Active liver disease
- Women who are pregnant, lactating, or likely to become pregnant should not be given statins
- Statins reaching the embryo may down-regulate biosynthesis of cholesterol as well as many important metabolic intermediates, and may have secondary effects on sterol-dependent signaling molecules that contribute to development such as Sonic Hedgehog
Statin Lipoprotein Profile
• TG
• > 250 mg/dl: decrease by 20-55%
•
statin clinical uses
First line therapy in hypercholesterolemia when at risk for myocardial infarction
cholestyramine (MOA)
Bile-Acid Binding Agents
• anion-exchange resins
• highly positively charged and binds negatively charged bile acids • Because of their large size, the resins are not absorbed, and the
bound bile acids are excreted in the stool.
• more than 95% of bile acids are normally reabsorbed.
• interruption of this process depletes the pool of bile acids, and hepatic bile-acid synthesis increases.
• What’s the precursor to bile acid? How are bile acids synthesized?
• As a result, hepatic cholesterol content declines, stimulating the production of LDL receptors, an effect similar to that of statins.
cholestyramine (pharmacokinetics)
not absorbed
cholestyramine (adverse effects)
Adverse effects
• most common-constipation/bloating sensation
• gritty consistency
• nausea and vomiting (small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking lozenges, or
chewing gum may help)
• constipation (increased exercise, fluids, fruit, or fiber may help)
• interferes with absorption of other drugs & fat soluble vitamins
• Digitalis, thiazides, warfarin, statins, aspirin • A,D,E,K
• modest INCREASE in TG/with time returns to baseline values
• less common side effects
• In hand-out/not necessary to know
• hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis • increase in liver enzymes
• excess fat in stool (steatorrhea)
Cholestyramine Lipoprotein Profile
TG
• Normal levels: only transient increase
• Levels > 250 mg/dl; further significant increase
LDL decrease by 12-25% • Dose-dependent
• Larger dose, more side effects
HDL increase by 4-5%
Cholestyramine Clinical Uses
Hypercholesterolemia
• Not recommended for individuals with hypercholesterolemia and increased TG
• should not be used in patients with baseline fasting triglyceride levels ≥300 mg/dL or type III hyperlipoproteinemia since severe triglyceride elevations may occur. Use with caution in patients with triglyceride levels 250-299 mg/dL and evaluate a fasting lipid panel in 4-6 weeks after initiation; discontinue use if triglycerides are >400 mg/dL
• most often used as second agents if statin therapy does not lower LDL-C levels sufficiently
• recommended for patients 11-20 years of age.
Ezetimibe (MOA)
Cholesterol Absorption Inhibitor
- Protein transporter called Niemann Pick C10-like protein or NPC1L1
- Decreased rate of cholesteryl ester incorporation into chylomicrons
- Reduced cholesterol flux from intestine to liver
Ezetimibe (Pharmacokinetics)
- Oral administration
- Metabolized (glucuronidation) to active metabolite
- Half-life 22 hours
Ezetimibe (Adverse Effects)
- Well tolerated
* Side effects (i.e. muscle-related) increase if combined with other drugs, like statins
Ezetimibe Lipoprotein Profile
- TG decrease by 5%
- LDL decrease by 15-20%
- HDL increase by 1-2%
Ezetimibe Clinical uses
• Primary hypercholesterolemia Combined with statins • Simvastatin + ezetimibe • Further decrease in LDL-cholesterol • Two differing pharmacological approaches*****
Nicotinic Acid (summary + MOA)
- Also called niacin
- Water-soluble B-complex vitamin
- Lipid lowering effect is unrelated to its effect as a vitamin
- Much larger doses required
- MAIN EFFECT IS TO DECREASE TG!!!
- But it does decrease cholesterol!
MOA
• In adipose tissue, inhibits FFA mobilization
• role for niacin receptor 1 (GPR109A) in adipose tissue
- In liver, decreases synthesis of VLDL-TG
- Inhibits uptake of HDL-apoA1
Niacin Pharmacokinetics
- Oral administration
- 3 different formulations
- immediate release (2-3 x/day)
- Long acting release
- extended release preparation (once day/bedtime)
- Remember that doses used for lowering cholesterol/TG much greater than those used as vitamin
- Prescription only
Niacin Adverse effects
MAJOR ADVERSE EFFECT • Intense cutaneous flush/pruritus • Occurs soon after taking the drug • poor compliance Mediated by vasodilatory PGs • PGD2 from dermal macrophages • use of NSAIDs to block the effect
- Luckily, tolerance to this effect occurs with continued use
- Also can reduce this effect by giving lower doses and then gradually increasing to higher dose
- Give the drug at bedtime when flushing effect may be more tolerable to patient
Other more SERIOUS but less frequent adverse effects
• GI effects
• nausea/vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea
• Avoid in patients with peptic ulcer
- elevated liver enzymes/usually no hepatic toxicity
- BUT MAJOR concern if combined with statins
- Hyperurecemia
- Contraindicated in patients with gout
• Increases fasting glucose levels/niacin-induced insulin resistance • Questionable use in patients with diabetes
Niacin contraindications
- Peptic Ulcer
- Gout
- Hepatic Disease
- Diabetes
Niacin Drug Interactions
- Combined use with statin increases risk of myopathy
- Mechanism not known
- Patients of Chinese descent more susceptible
- FDA approved prep that combines both drugs • Interesting….
• Substituting time release formulation with immediate release have resulted in severe hepatic toxicity
Niacin Lipoprotein Profile
- TG decreased by 35-50% • Within 4-7 days
- LDL decreased by 25% • 3-6 weeks for maximal effect
- HDL increased by 15-30% • added benefit is increased HDL
- Lp(a) reduced by 40% • May be risk factor
Niacin Clinical Uses
- Hypercholesterolemia & hypertriglyceridemia
- High LDL and low HDL
- Typically not first line therapy for hypercholesterolemia • Severe cases that do not respond to resins
- Not first choice because of side effects
• Only lipid-lowering drug that reduces Lp(a)**
Fibric Acids/Fibrates/PPAR activators (drugs, and summary)
Gemfibrozil
Fenofibrate (2nd generation drug)
• Primarily lower the levels of TG-rich lipoproteins
Fibric Acids/Fibrates/PPAR activators (MOA)
• Ligands for the nuclear transcription regulator
• peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR-)
• Expressed in liver, adipose tissue
• regulate gene transcription (number
of different genes)
Fibric Acids/Fibrates/PPAR activators (pharmacokinetics)
- Oral administration
- Plasma protein binding
- Half-life varies (1 hr for gemfibrozil/20 hrs for fenofibrate (increased with renal impairment)
- Fenofibrate is metabolized to active metabolite
- excreted predominantly as glucuronide conjugates; 60-90% of an oral dose is excreted in the urine
• Gemfibrozil metabolized into inactive metabolites