GI Flashcards
What coordinates emesis in the body and where is it located?
Nucleus Tractus Solitarus, it is located in the medulla
Where does NTS receive input from?
GI tract, vestibular system and the area postrema
How does Gi communicate with NTS
Communicates via vagal nerve, when GI gets irritated it releases mucosal serotonin which binds to the 5HT 3 receptors, this leads to signals being sent via afferent vagal nerve to NTS
How does NTS regulate emesis
It coordinates with the rest of the medulla to coordinate emesis response
How does vestibular system communicate with NTS?
Via CN VIII
What receptors are present in the vestibular system?
M1 and H1 receptors
What is Area Postrema and where is it located
Area Postrema is a chemoreceptor trigger zone, it responds to presence of emetogenic substances such as chemotherapy agents.It is located adjacent to NTS on the 4th ventricle outside the BBB
What part of the CNS is responsible for sea sickness or motion sickness?
Vestibular system
Ondanestron MOA and what is it used for?
Antagonist of 5HT-3 receptors on the vagal afferents in the GI tract. Ondanestron is good for treating chemo induced emesis or post op emesis
AE of Ondanestron
ConstipationHeadacheDizzinessQT prolongation so it can precipitate torsades and potentially serotonin syndrome
What is serotonin syndrome?
It is associated with systemic release of serotonin and leads to symptoms such as rigidity, tremor, hyperthermia, hyperreflexia, and confusion
What drugs can be used to treat motion sickness?
1st gen H1 receptor blockers can cross the BBB so they can be used to motion sickness, they also have anti muscarinic properties so they can block both H1 and M1 receptors
Name 1st gen H1 antagonists
Diphenhydramine, meclizine, hydroxyzine
Scopolamine
Anti muscarinic agent, used clinically to treat vestibular nausea/motion sickness/sea sickness via M1 receptor inhibition.
What kind of receptors does area postrema contain?
D2 receptors and neurokonin 1 receptors (NK 1)
MOA of metoclopramide
It has 2 principle MOA, it antagonizes D2 receptors in area prostrema to treat chemo induced emesis and it has a pro kinetic effect on GI as it promotes GI motility
What is another use of metoclopramide
Activates GI smooth muscles by antagonizing D2 receptors so it is used for treatment of delayed gastric emptying
Contraindications for metocloproamide
It can only be used for non obstructive GI obstruction, cannot be used in case of a small bowel obstruction as that can lead to GI perforation
What are the side effects of metoclopramide
- Prokinetic effects mean it induces diarrheaMost of the side effects of metoclopramide are due to D2 receptor blockade of the CNS and are more common andsevere in elderly patients
* Drowsiness
* Depression
* Extrapyramidal symptoms
* Tardive dyskinesia
* Myopathy and rhabdomyolysis Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
* QT prolongation
* Prolactinemia
What extrapyramidal symptoms are caused by metoclopramide
Dystonia, akathisia, and parkinsonian features.
Explain neuroleptic malignant syndrome
Caused directly by inhibiting D2 receptors in CNS fever, rigidity, mental status changes, autonomic instability, and rhabdomyolysis
Why is there elevated prolactin secretion due to metoclopramide? What can elevated prolactin cause?
Due to CNS D2 blockade, leads to gynecomastia, impotence, galactorrhea, and menstrual disorders.
What drugs discussed so far are contraindicated in torsades?
Onadnestrone and metoclopramide