Drugs and The Kidney Flashcards
Describe the central role of the kidney in the excretion of drugs.
- Kidney excretes polar (charged) drugs more readily than non-polar (uncharged) drugs.
- Non-polar drugs can be reabsorbed by the kidney.
Which organ metabolises drugs before they enter the kidneys?
Liver
How does the liver metabolise drugs?
Metabolised to an inactive compound that can be excreted
Describe the glomerular filtration of drugs.
Glomerular capillaries allow drugs with a molecular weight of < 20kDa to be filtered freely, but not when bound to albumin
What causes warfarin to have a long half-life?
98% of it is bound to albumin
What is the disadvantage behind warfarin having a long half-life?
Continued dosing may cause excessive bleeding
Where does tubular secretion of drugs mainly occur?
PCT
What does degree of ionisation depend on?
Drug pKa and the pH of the environment
What does morphine require and why?
Cation transporter - morphine is a weak base
What does penicillin require and why?
Anion transporter- penicillin is a weak acid
Describe diuretics
- Increase in urine output (diuresis).
- Increased Na+ (natriuretics) and K+ excretion (hypokalaemia).
What are the two types of diuretics?
- Diuretics that affect water excretion
- Diuretics that increase electrolyte excretion
Give examples of diuretics that affect water excretion.
Water
Ethanol (decreases ADH release)
Give examples of diuretics that increase electrolyte excretion.
- Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors
- Loop diuretics
- Thiazides
- K+-sparing diuretics
Generally, describe where the action of diuretics occurs.
Diuretic agents act at specific sites (Sites 1 to 6) on the nephron and collecting ducts.
What do sites 5 and 6 require?
Aldosterone
RECAP: Is the thick ascending segment of the loop of Henle impermeable to water?
Yes
What can make the later areas of the DCT and the collecting duct permeable to water?
ADH
What do Sites 1and 2 refer to?
PCT
What occurs at Site 1?
Reabsorption of Na with the passive movement of organic molecules (glucose, amino acids) and H2O.
What occurs at Site 2?
Reabsorption of Na in exchange for H - the role of carbonic anhydrase.
What does Site 3 refer to?
Loop of Henle