Ethanol and Methanol Flashcards
What is the drug class of ethanol?
CNS depressant
What is the mechanism of action of ethanol?
General suppressant effct on most cells. Can inhibit excitatory (glutaminergic pathways) or activate inhibitory (GABAergic) pathways
What does GABA stand for?
Gamma Amino Butyric Acid
How does ethanol cause a mild diuretic effect?
Inhibition of ADH secretion
From where is ethanol absorbed?
The small intestine (less so from intestine)
What is carbonation’s effect on ethanol absorption?
Increases rate of gastric emptying so more rapid absorption.
What does alcohol dehydrogenase do?
Converts ethanol to acetaldehyde
What does acetaldehyde dehydrogenase do?
Converts acetaldehyde to acetyl CoA
What builds up in the body when ethanol is metabolized?
NADH (from alcohol dehydrogenase and acetaldehyde dehydrogenase)
What drug is given to discourage patients from drinking? (makes them feel ill when they drink alcohol?)
Disulfiram
What is disulfiram’s mechanism of action?
Inhibits acetaldehyde Dehydrogenase leading to an increase in acetaldehyde causing headache, severe nausea, and convulsions
What is a drug that can reduce ethanol craving during withdrawal?
Acamprosate - somehow alters GABA activity
What drug is given to inhibit alcohol dehydrogenase?
Fomepizol
What is the mechanism of action of inhaled general anesthetics?
Potentiation of inhibitory GABAergic neurons or blockade of glutamate (excitatory) neurons
How does lipid solubility affect potency of general anesthetics?
The higher the lipid solubility the more potent the general anesthetic
What is MAC?
Minimal alveolar concentration (ED50 of inhaled general anesthetics) The lower the MAC the more potent the drug
What effect does the Blood/Gas coefficient of an inhaled general anesthetic have?
High B/G coefficient = slower onset (need a lot more in blood before it becomes saturate enough to act)
What are the anesthetic effects of NO?
Good analgesic (pain killer), no amnesia