Chapter 17 Nonopioid Analgesics: NSAIDs, COX-2 Inhibitors, and Acetaminophen Flashcards
1. NSAIDs are antihyperalgesic compounds with antiinflammatory activity determined by their ability to decrease prostaglandin formation through inhibition of COX following tissue injury. 2. There are two major isoforms of COX. COX-1 is largely constitutive and is responsible for the production of prostaglandins involved in homeostatic processes in the stomach (gastric protection), lung, and kidney, and in platelet aggregation. COX-2 is an inducible form created in the presence of inflammation,
NSAIDs are structurally diverse, but all have
antipyretic, anti-inflammatory and analgesic or antihyperalgesic
properties
How does acetaminophen differentiate from NSAIDs?
weak anti-inflammatory effects and its generally poor ability to inhibit cyclooxygenase (COX) in the presence of high concentrations of peroxides,
as are found at sites of inflammation.
Unlike NSAIDs, acetaminophen does not have an adverse effects
on platelet function or gastric mucosa
The mechanism of action of NSAIDs is
inhibition of prostaglandin
production from arachidonic acid by either reversible or irreversible acetylation of the cyclooxygenase
(COX)
COX is present in at least two isoforms
(COX-1 and COX-2) and is dispersed throughout the
body.
What is COX-1?
COX-1 isoform is constitutive, causing hemostasis, platelet aggregation, and the production of prostacyclin,
which is gastric mucosal protective. The inhibition
of the COX-1 isoform may be responsible for the adverse
effects related to the nonselective NSAIDs.
COX-2 isoform that is induced by
proinflammatory stimuli
and cytokines causing fever, inflammation, and pain, and thus the target for antipyresis, anti-inflammation, and analgesia by NSAIDs
COX-1 mediates the production of
prostaglandins that are essential in the homeostatic processes in the stomach (gastric protection), lung, and kidney, and platelet aggregation
COX-2 is generally considered to be an inducible enzyme, provoking pathologic processes such as
fever, pain, and inflammation
Where is COX-2 expressed?
COX-2, despite being the inducible isoform, is
expressed under normal conditions in a number of tissues, include brain, testis, and kidney.In inflammatory states, COX-2 becomes expressed in macrophages and other cells propagating the inflammatory process
The pain associated with inflammation and prostaglandin
production results from
the production of prostanoids in the inflamed body tissues that sensitize nerve endings and leads to the sensation of pain
NSAIDs peripheral
mechanisms of action.
Peripherally, prostaglandins
contribute to hyperalgesia by sensitizing nociceptive sensory
nerve endings to other mediators (such as histamine
and bradykinin) and by sensitizing nociceptors to respond to non-nociceptive stimuli (e.g., touch). Peripheral
inflammation induces a substantial increase in COX-2,
and prostaglandin synthase expression in the central nervous system (CNS)
NSAIDs central
mechanisms of action.
Centrally, prostaglandins are recognized to have direct actions at the level of the spinal cord enhancing nociception, notably the terminals of sensory neurons in the dorsal horn
Where in the spinal cord are COX-1 and COX-2 expressed ?
Both COX-1 and COX-2 are
expressed constitutively in dorsal root ganglia and spinal
dorsal and ventral gray matter but inhibition of COX-2 and
not COX-1 reduces hyperalgesia
interleukin-1beta (IL-1b)
the proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-1beta (IL-1b) plays a
major role in inducing COX-2 in local inflammatory cells
by activating the transcription factor NF-kB
In the CNS IL-1b causes
increased production of COX-2 and PGE2, producing hyperalgesia, but this is not the result of neural activity arising from the sensory fibers innervating the inflamed tissue or of systemic IL-1b in the plasma
Interleukin 6 (IL-6)
interleukin 6 (IL-6) triggers the formation of PGE2 in the CNS, which in turn causes increased production of COX-2 and PGE2.
Two forms of input from peripheral inflamed tissue to the CNS.
The first is mediated by electrical activity in sensitized nerve fibers innervating the
inflamed area, which signals the location of the inflamed
tissue as well as the onset, duration, and nature of any
stimuli applied to this tissue. The second is a humoral signal
originating from the inflamed tissue, which acts to produce a widespread induction of COX-2 in the CNS
FIGURE 17-1
Site of action of NSAIDs
Administration of NSAIDs
NSAIDs are most often administered enterally, but intravenous,
intramuscular, rectal, and topical preparations are
available
NSAIDs relation to protein
NSAIDs are highly bound to plasma proteins, specifically to albumin (.90%), and therefore only a small portion of the circulating drug in plasma exists in the unbound (pharmacologically active) form
The volume of distribution of NSAIDs
is low, ranging from 0.1 to 0.3 L/kg, suggesting minimal tissue binding
NSAIDs Acid or Base?
Most NSAIDs are weak acids with pKa less than 6, and since weak acids will be 99% ionized two pH units above their pKa, these antiinflammatory
medications are present in the body mostly in the ionized form. In contrast, the coxibs are nonacidic, which may play a role in the favorable tolerability profile
Major absorptive site for orally administered NSAIDs
most NSAIDs are administered
enterally and their pH profile facilitates absorption via the
stomach, and the large surface area of the small intestine produces a major absorptive site for orally administered NSAIDs
Most of the NSAIDs are rapidly and completely absorbed from the (GI) tract, with peak concentrations occurring within
1 to 4 hr. The presence of
food tends to delay absorption without affecting peak concentration
NSAIDs available in parenteral forms in the United States
ketorolac, propacetamol,
and ibuprofen
Topical NSAIDs possess the advantage
provide local action without systemic adverse effects. They are formulated to traverse the skin to reach the adjacent joints and muscles and exert therapeutic activity, and may offer some advantage in terms of decreased adverse event
Types of Topical NSAIDs
These medications, such as diclofenac epolamine transdermal patch (Flector®) and diclofenac sodium gel (Voltaren®),
The high protein binding of the NSAIDs has particular
relevance in
the state of hypoalbuminemia or decrease albumin concentrations (e.g., elderly, malnourished). A greater
fraction of unbound NSAIDs are present in the plasma,
which may enhance efficacy but also increase toxicity.
Why does a possibility of
bleeding increased with concomitant use of NSAIDs?
NSAIDs compete for binding sites with other highly plasma
protein–bound drugs such as warfarin;
The major metabolic pathway for elimination of NSAIDs
hepatic oxidation or conjugation. Renal excretion of
unmetabolized drug is a minor elimination pathway for most NSAIDs accounting for less than 10% of the administered
dose.
most widely use analgesic,
antipyretic, and anti-inflammatory agent in the world
Acetylsalicylic acid (ASA)
Aspirin is comprised of the active compounds
acetic acid and salicylic acid, forming acetylsalicylic acid.
Aspirin inhibits the biosynthesis of prostaglandins by
means of an irreversible acetylation and consequent inactivation of COX; thus, aspirin inactivates COX permanently
Naproxen Pharmacodynamics
absorbed after enteral administration and has a half-life of 14 hr. Peak concentrations in plasma occur within 4 to 6 hr. The half-life is approximately 14 hr, but steady-state serum levels require more than 48 hr. Naproxen has a volume of distribution of 0.16 L/kg
Naproxen relation to protein
At therapeutic levels, naproxen is more than 99% albumin-bound.
Naproxen Metabolism and Elimination
Naproxen is extensively metabolized to 6-0-desmethyl
naproxen, and both parent and metabolites do not induce
metabolizing enzymes. Most of the drug is excreted in
the urine, primarily as unchanged naproxen. About 30% of them drug undergoes 6-demethylation, and most of this metabolite, as well as naproxen itself, is excreted as
glucuronide or other conjugates.
Naproxen indications
Naproxen has been used for the treatment of arthritis and other inflammatory diseases.
Ibuprofen indications
use for the relief of symptoms of acute pain, fever, and inflammation. demonstrated in the treatment of headache and migraine, menstrual pain, and acute postoperative pain.
Ibuprofen Pharmacodynamics
Ibuprofen is rapidly absorbed from the upper GI tract, with peak plasma levels achieved about 1 to 2 hr after administration. It is highly bound to plasma proteins
with an estimated volume of distribution of 0.14 L/kg,
and is primarily hepatically metabolized (90%) with less
than 10% excreted unchanged in the urine and bile. A
short plasma half-life (2 6 0.5 hr) a
Ibuprofen dosage
usual starting dose: 50 or 75 mg with immediate release capsules every 6 to 8 hr or 200 mg with extended release capsules once daily. The maximum dose is 300 mg daily of immediate-release capsules or 200 mg
daily of extended-release capsules. Ibuprofen at a dose of 1200 to 2400 mg/day has a predominantly analgesic effect for mild to moderate pain
conditions, with dosage of 3200 mg/day recommended
only under continued care of clinical professionals
Adverse Effect of Ibuprofen
at anti-inflammatory doses of more than 1600 mg per day,
renal side effects are almost exclusively encountered in
patients with low intravascular volume and low cardiac
output, particularly in the elderly.
Ketoprofen administration
capsules release the drug in the stomach, whereas capsule
pellets (extended release) are designed to resist dissolution
in the low pH of gastric fluid, but release the drug at a
controlled rate in the higher pH environment of the small
intestine
Ketoprofen Phamarcodynamics
Peak plasma levels are achieved about 1 to 2 hr
after oral administration for the capsules and the 6 to 7 hr after administration of the capsule pellets
Ketoprofen relationship to protein
Ketoprofen has
high plasma protein binding (98%–99%) and an estimated
volume of distribution of 0.11 L/kg.
Ketoprofen Metabolism
Ketoprofen is conjugated
with glucuronic acid in the liver, and the conjugate is excreted in the urine. The glucuronic acid moiety can be converted back to the parent compound. Thus, the metabolite serves as a potential reservoir for the parent drug, and this may be important in persons with renal
insufficiency
Oxaprozin Pharmacodynamics
oxaprozin peak plasma levels are not achieved until 3 to 6 hr
after an oral dose, and its half-life of 40 to 60 hr allows for
once-daily administration.36 Peak plasma concentration
occurs at about 1.5 hr after administration
Oxaprozin relationship to protein
Oxaprozin is highly bound to plasma proteins and has an estimated volume of distribution of 0.15 L/kg.
Oxaprozin Metabolism
Oxaprozin is primarily
metabolized by the liver, and 65% of the dose is excreted into the urine and 35% in the feces as metabolites