Gastro-intestinal Flashcards
What is the mechanism of action of antacids (= AlOH, CaCO3, MgOH)
Decrease pepsin activity, bind to bile acids in the stomach, stimulate PGE2 synthesis.
Likely don’t have a strong enough buffering capacity to truly decrease the pH.
How does the efficiency of H2 antagonists / proton pump inhibitors change over time?
- H2 antagonists: efficiency decreases because of tolerance within 3 days
- Proton pump inhibitors: efficiency increases over the first 2-5 days because extra proton pumps are synthesized initially and need to be blocked as well + PPIs inhibit cytochrome P450 (-> decreased metabolism)
Why is the co-administration of H2 antagonists and PPIs not recommended
PPIs need to be in an acidic environment to inhibit the proton pump
Do PPIs / H2 antagonists need to be tapered
PPIs should be tapered if administered for > 3-4 weeks
H2 antagonists should be tapered (tolerance develops early)
Name examples of drugs whose absorption will be decreased by the use of PPIs
- Antifungals (except liquid itraconazole and fluconazole)
- Mycophenolate
Mechanism of action of cyproheptadine
5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT2) antagonist & anti-histamine
Mechanism of action of mirtazapine
5-HT-2C receptor antagonist (-> blocks anorexic stimuli) + H1-receptor antagonist (histamine decreases appetite)
How frequently should mirtazapine be dosed in otherwise healthy cats? In dogs? What can prolong its half life?
Daily in healthy cats, potentially twice daily in dogs
Half life prolonged by older age, kidney disease, liver disease
Name 3 appetite stimulants
- Cyprohepatdine (5-HT agonist, H1 antagonist)
- Mirtazapine (5-HT-2C antagonist, H1 antagonist)
- Capromorelin (ghrelin receptor agonist)
Absorption / metabolism and mechanism of action of PPIs
- Absorbed in the duodenum (can be lysed by gastric acidity so better to give SQ initially or with bicarbonate / in enteric-coated formulation)
- First-pass hepatic metabolism
- Part of the drug not metabolized -> concentrated in parietal cells ; activated in acidic environment -> irreversible inhibition of H+/K+ transporter (proton pump)
Mechanism of action of sucralfate
Sucrose + aluminum hydroxide
Binds to epithelial cells in acidic environment, mostly at the base of erosions / ulcers -> physical barrier against pepsin and bile acids + stimulates local production of prostaglandins and epidermal growth factor
Name 1 competitive and 1 non-competitive inhibitor of gastric acid secretion
- Competitive: H2-receptor antagonists
- Non-competitive: PPIs
What H2 receptor antagonist causes marked inhibition of cytochrome P450 enzymes
Cimetidine
Mechanism of action of misoprostol
Prostaglandin E1 analog ->stimulates mucus secretion and bicarbonate secretion, increases gastric mucosal blood flow + inhibits H+ secretion from parietal cells (in response to food, gastrin, histamine)
Mechanism of action of maropitant and its different effects
Neurokinin 1 inhibitor -> blocks actions of substance P in CNS and peripherally (GI tract)
-> antiemetic
-> other: antitussive, antiinflammatory, neuroptotectant, hepatoprotectant, analgesic (visceral pain), MAC reducer in anesthesia