Central Nervous System Pharmacology Flashcards
What is the difference between a sedative given at a low dose and high dose?
Low dose causes animal to be calm and drowsy
High dose causes sleep but not anaesthesia
What does a low and high dose of a tranquilliser cause?
Low- calm but alert and responsive
High- Catalepsy (altered state of consciousness, not asleep)
What does an anxiolytic cause?
Calm with altered response to stimuli
What is a neuroleptic?
Specifically the effects of phenothiazines or butyrophenones in the CNS
What is neuroleptanalgeisa?
Combination og neuroleptic and an opioid
What are the 4 main classes of sedatives?
Alpha 2 agonists- most common
Phenothiazines
Butyrophenones
Benzodiazepines- least common
What is the term for sedatives that effect post synaptic receptors and pre-synaptic receptors?
Post- Symptathomimesis
Pre- Sympatholysis
What is the mechanism of action of alpha 2 agonists?
Endogenous neurotransmitter that binds to alpha 2 is noradrenaline
Exogenous a2 is designed to be variously selective fat a2 receptors
Most a2 receptors in periphery are post synaptic so peripheral effects mainly sympathomimetic- vasodilation
Most a2 receptors are pre synaptic so sympatholytic- sedation
What is the mechanism of action of phenothiazines?
Only ace-romaine licensed
Antagonists
Antagonist at receptors alpha 1 adreno-receptors (vasodilation) , dopamine 2 receptors (sedation, muscle relaxation), histamine receptors (anti-emetic, reduces hypersensitivity), serotonin receptors (decreased alertness), muscarinic (reduced parasympathetic tone)
In order of most effected to least
What is the mechanism of action of butyrophenones?
Similar to phenothiazines
Dopamine receptor 2 agonists- sedation and muscle relaxation
Histamine receptor antagonists- anti-emetic, reduces hypersensitivity
What is the mode of action of benzodiazepines?
Endogenous neurotransmitter that binds to GABA receptors- an inhibitory neurotransmitter
Causes decreases resting membrane potential
How are alpha 2 agonists administered?
Water soluble so can be injected intravenously and intramuscularly
Molecules are lipid soluble so can be subcutaneous or epidurally or orally
How are phenothiazines administered?
Water soluble so IV and IM
Lipid soluble so SC, orally
Tablets least effective
How are butyrophenones administered?
Intraperitoneal and IM
How are benzodiazepines administered?
IM and IV
What are examples of a2 agonists in order of increasing length?
Xylazine Detomidine Romfidine Medetoidine Dexmedetomidine
What is an example of a Phenothiazines?
Acepromazine
What is an example of a butyrophenones
Fluanisone
Azeperone
What is an example of a benzodiazepines?
Diazepam and midazolam
What are the effects and side effects of a2 agonists?
Beneficial- sedation, analgesia, muscle relaxant, ‘anaesthetic sparing’ agents
Side effects- deleterious CV effects- vasoconstriction increases after load, diuresis, hyperglycaemia, sweating
Antagonists available
What are the effects and side effects of acepromazine (phenothiazines)?
Sedation but less predictable, muscle relaxation, anaesthetic sparing, anti-emetic, long lasting, no analgesia
Side effects- vasodilation, paraphimosis, brachycephalic/exited animals have adrenalin reversal, anti-histamine, long lasting
What are the effects of butryophenones?
Sedation, muscle relaxation, anti-emetic, anti-histamine
Side effects- no analgesia, vasodilation
What are the effects of benzodiazepines?
Sedation, muscle relaxation, minimal CV effects
No analgesia
Side effects- can cause excitement if administrated on their own
Antagonists available
How can neurotransmitters alter the behaviour of animals?
Drugs are used to influence behaviour and emotional state- act by altering the efficacy levels of one or more neurotransmitters
What neurotransmitters can alter behaviour?
Serotonin- involved in regulation of mood, appetite, arousal, role in pain inhibition
Dopamine- major role in reward and pleasure, helps regulate emotional responses
GABA- main inhibitory neurotransmitter
Noradrenaline- helps form connections in the brain
What are the 5 main groups of psychoactive drugs?
Tricyclic antidepressants Specific serotonin reuptake inhibitors Monoamine oxidase inhibitors Benzodiazepines Beta-blockers
What is the action of TCAs (tricyclic anti-depressants)?
Block the serotonins and noradrenaline transporters inhibiting reuptake, increases serotonin in synapses for longer
What are TCAs used to treat, what are the potential side effects?
Mainly used in anxiety disorders
Prolonged use down regulated 5-HT and NA receptors
Significant antihistamine, anticholinergic and alpha-1 agonist effect
Affects Na/Ca channels so should be avoided
What is the MOA of SSRIs (specific serotonin reuptake inhibitors), what problem occurs from overuse?
Inhibit uptake of serotonin
Overuse down regulates post-synaptic serotonin receptors
Less side effects then TCAs
What is the MOA of MAOIs (monoamine oxidase inhibitors)?
Monoamine oxidase is an enzyme found in many tissues including CNS
MAO A/B are involved in breakdown or serotonin, noradrenaline and dopamine
Only MAO B used in vet
What are beta-blockers used for and what do they cause?
Used in anxiety/anticipation scenarios
Reduce physiological signs of negative emotion states involving panic and stress
Central effect inhibits consolidation of memory
What are AEDs? (anti-epileptic drugs)
Can have applications in behavioural modification
Name 3 examples of TCAs?
Amitriptyline
Doxepin
Clomipramine- licensed in dogs
What is an example of an SSRI?
Fluoxetine- not authorised in UK
Name an example of a MAOI?
Selegiline is a MAO-B inhibitor for CCDS
Name an example of BZDs?
Alprazolam- non-licensed used in dogs
What is an example of a beta blocker?
Propanolol
Name 2 examples of AEDs?
Topiramate
Imeptoin
Describe the pharmacokinetics of TCAs?
Extensive first pass metabolism, highly protein boind, hepatically metabolised, bile excretion
Describe the pharmacokinetics of Fluoxetine?
First pass hepatic metabolism after oral admin, highly protein bound, hepatic metabolism, urine excretion
Describe the pharmacokinetics of selegiline?
Elimination half life 1 hour, hepatically metabolises to methylamphetamine
What can be used instead of drugs?
Pheromones- adaptil, feliway
What are the major classes of analgesic drugs?
No plant NSAIDs Opioids Paracetamol Local anaesthetics Alpha 2 agonists NMDA antagonists Tramadol
What is the mechanism of action of NSAIDs?
Inhibit COX1- physiological and COX2 inducible (inflammatory)
What is the mechanism of action of opioids?
Receptors throughout the body, main analgesic effect is via the dorsal horn of the spinal cord, reduce exitatory neurotransmitter at nerve endings
What are the different types of receptors opioids effects?
Mu- analgesia
Kappa- sedation, some analgesia
Delta
What is the mechanism of action of paracetamol?
Precise mechanism not known- COX 1 inhibitor
What is the action of local anaesthetics?
Amides and esters- amides last longer
enter centres of axons and block sodium channels
How are each of the analgesics administered NO PLANT?
NSAIDs- IV, IM, SC, PO, Topical
Opioids- IV, IM, SC, PO, Topical, Transmucosal, Extradural, Synovial
Local anaesthetics- IV, Topical, Local infiltration, Transmucosal, Extradural, Perineurally, Synovial
NMDA- ketamine- IV, SC, IM, Transmucosal, Epidurla
What is the action of NMDA antogonists?
NMDA receptors involved in pain pathway in the CNS
What are the effects and side effects of NSAIDs?
Analgesia, Anti-inflammatory, Anti-pyrexia
Side effects- GI, renal (auto regulation of blood flow), Clotting, Liver, gastric ulceration
What are the effects and side effects of opioids?
Analgesia, sedation
Side effects- Bradycardia, respiratory ‘depression’, reduces GI motility, Excitement, Dysphoria, Vomiting
What are the effects and side effects of paracetamol?
Analgesia, anti-pyrexia
Side effects- Hepatotoxicity, Hypotension, No cats
What are the effects of local anaesthetics and the side effects?
Analgesia, Anti-inflammatory, anti-arrhythmic
Side effects- loss of effects of nerves, CNS toxicity, Myocardial toxicity
What are the effects and side effects of NMDA antagonists?
NMDA antagonists- Analgesia, ketamine- anaesthesia
Side effects- Excitement, Hypertonicity, myocardial depression, sympathetic stimulation
What drugs are used for chronic pain?
Gabapentin, amantadine, antidepressants
Name some examples of opioids that cause full Mu, Partial Mu, Mu antagonists/Kappa antagonists
What what is their antagonist?
Full Mu- Morphine, methadone, pethidine, fentanyl
Partial Mu- buprenorphine.
Mu antagonists/Kappa agonists- butorphanol.
Antagonists- Naloxone
What is an example of a local anaesthetics?
Lidocaine
List the injectable anaesthetic agents used in UK vets
Propofol
Alfaxalone
Thiopental
Etomidate
List the inhalation anaesthetics used in UK vets
Isoflurane Sevoflurane Halothane Desflurane Nitrous oxide