Chapter 16 Membrane Stabilizers Flashcards
1. In neuropathic pain, there is altered processing and changes in central modulation. These include pathologic activity in injured nerves (resulting in hyperexcitability, spontaneous and evoked pain), loss of C-fibers, sprouting of the large fibers in the outer laminas of the dorsal horn where the nociceptive-specific neurons are located (resulting in allodynia), and increased activity in the sympathetic nervous system. 2. Some of the molecular changes in neuropathic pain include the accumulat
conditions resulting in chronic neuropathic pain include
diabetic polyneuropathy, postherpetic neuralgia,
central neuropathic pain, traumatic/surgical nerve
injury, incomplete spinal cord injury, trigeminal neuralgia, multiple sclerosis, radiculopathy, complex regional pain
syndrome (CRPS), and HIV-associated peripheral neuropathy
neuropathic pain
Defined as pain initiated or caused by a primary
lesion or dysfunction in the nervous system, neuropathic pain is often described as burning, lancinating, or tingling
in nature
The source of neuropathic
pain may be related to
damage of a peripheral nerve, with or without associated autonomic changes or CNS dysfunction. Examples of these changes include prolonged central sensitization, damage to neuronal inhibitory functions, and alteration of the effects of pain on the sympathetic nervous system.
Following tissue injury, the threshold of A-d and
C-fiber activation
decreases, and an augmented response
to a given stimulus occurs
What channels has alterations in ion at the site of injury?
Sodium and calcium channels play a fundamental role in the
propagation of hyperexcitability in central and peripheral
neurons.
After nerve injury, the number of ion channels
accumulates in excess, and leads to
ectopic, spontaneous firing of sensory nerves and dorsal root ganglion cell bodies. The result of neuronal membrane hyperexcitability is the chronic perception of pain
membrane stabilizer
classification
sodium-channel blocking
agents (antiepileptics, anticonvulsants, local anesthetics, tricyclic antidepressants, and antiarrhythmics) and calcium channel blocking agents
When evaluating the effectiveness of medications for neuropathic pain, outcome measures most commonly include
changes in the average daily pain score by a 10-cm (100-mm) visual analog scale (VAS) and on an 11-point Likert scale (0, no pain; 10, worst possible pain) numeric rating scale (NRS); patient-reported pain relief of 30% or greater (moderate benefit); patient-reported pain relief of 50% or greater (substantial benefit).
“Numbers needed to
treat” (NNT)
The NNT is the number of patients treated with a particular drug in order to obtain one patient with a defined degree of relief.
The “numbers needed to harm” (NNH)
is the number needed to treat with a certain drug before a patient can experience a significant side effect
NNT/NNH ratio
The drugs with a low NNT/NNH ratio are superior to the drugs with high NNT/NNH ratio
SODIUM-CHANNEL BLOCKERS
These agents include the antiepileptic/ anticonvulsants, local anesthetics, tricyclic antidepressants, and antiarrhythmics. As a group, they inhibit the development and propagation of ectopic discharges
The primary agents used
for neuropathic pain that are sodium channel blockers
antiepileptics/ anticonvulsants and local anesthetic
The primary agents used
for neuropathic pain that are calcium channel blockers
Gabapentin and pregabalin,
Sodium-channel blockers are used for primary therapy or adjunctive treatment for processes such as
trigeminal neuralgia, CRPS, diabetic neuropathy, radicular extremity pain, chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, and postherpetic neuralgia
The initial dosage of phenytoin
100 mg BID to TID
phenytoin is primarily used for the treatment of
diabetic neuropathy
Phenytoin provides pain
relief by
blocking sodium channels, thereby preventing the release of excitatory glutamate and inhibiting ectopic discharges
Phenytoin Side Effects
Sedation, motor disturbances, slowing of mentation and somnolence, with
nystagmus and ataxia seen in some patients. development of facial alterations, including gum hyperplasia and a coarsening of facial feature
Fosphenytoin
an intravenously
administered pro-drug that converts to phenytoin, is used
by some to avoid a long dosing interval or initial burning at the injection site
Phenytoin effect on cytochrome P450 enzyme
Phenytoin activates the cytochrome P450 enzyme system in the liver, and, hence, careful assessment of co-therapy is warranted. For example, phenytoin decreases the efficacy of
methadone, fentanyl, tramadol, mexiletine, lamotrigine, and
carbamazepine
Co-administration with
antidepressants and valproic acid could lead to
increased blood concentration of phenytoin, lowering the subsequent
doses required for effect in patient
CARBAMAZEPINE (TEGRETOL) mechanism of action
Na channel blockade
Dosage of Carbamazepine
initial dosage of carbamazepine is 100 to 200 mg BID, titrated to effect, with typical dose ranges of 300 to 1200 mg/day, administered in two divided doses. Common maintenance doses are 600 to 800 mg
The chemical structure
of this Carbamazepine is similar to that of the
tricyclic antidepressants
Carbamazepine is thought to inhibit pain via
peripheral and central mechanisms. Carbamazepine
selectively blocks active fibers, having no effect
on normally functioning A-d and C-fiber nociceptors
Major uses of Carbamazepine include
primary therapy for trigeminal neuralgia (tic doloreux), thalamic-mediated post-stroke pain, postherpetic neuralgia, and diabetic neuropathy.
Side Effects of Carbamazepine
Drowsiness, dizziness, and nausea and vomiting
are common side effects
Carbamazepine is associated with very deleterious side effects, including
pancytopenia (necessitating a complete blood count and monitoring while on this
therapy), Stevens Johnson syndrome, and toxic epidermal necrolysis
Trigeminal Neuralgia
a sharp severe facial pain in one or more of the distributions supplied by the trigeminal nerve. It is caused by compression of the trigeminal nerve at the pontine origin of the nerve by an aberrant loop
of an artery or vein
Patients on carbamazepine therapy should have blood
tests done every 2 to 4 months because
there is an increased risk of developing agranulocytosis and aplastic anemia with
this agent
OXCARBAZEPINE (TRILEPTAL)
the keto-analog of carbamazepine, was
developed to preserve carbamazepine’s membrane-stabilizing
effects while minimizing minor adverse effects, such as sedation and serious, life-threatening reactions
Major Advantage of Oxcarbazepine
monitoring of drug
plasma levels and hematologic profiles is generally not necessary
Oxcarbazepine Mechanism of Action
oxcarbazepine blocks
sodium channels; it does not affect gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors
Oxcarbazepine Side Effect
Hyponatremia (Na < 125 mmol/L) somnolence, dizziness, nausea and vomiting
Oxcarbazepine Dosages
Initial Dosage: 600 mg twice daily
Titration: Increase by 300 mg daily
Max dose: 1200–1800 mg every 3 days
Institution of oxcarbazepine therapy requires
Monitoring of sodium levels should be performed