IC13 Pharmacology of Analgesics Flashcards
What are the general targets of NSAIDs, Opioids and paracetamol?
- NSAIDs – block acute inflammatory response at site of injury
- Opioids – blocks the transmission of pain through nerves specifically at the spinothalamic pathway
- Paracetmol – modulate how brain interprete signals
What happens to the phospholipids in the cell membrane when the phospholipase A2 acts on it?
Phospholipase A2 converts cell membrane phospholipids to arachidonic acid (AA)
AA is converted to
- lipoxins (by 15-lipoxygenase),
- prostanoids (by cyclooxygenase) acute inflammation
- leukotrienes (by 5-lipoxygenase) chronic inflammation and immune responses
What are the diff types of prostanoids?
Types of Prostanoids:
- Prostacyclins (PGI2)
- Prostaglandins (PGE2)
- Thromboxanes (TXA2)
Different types of Prostanoids in different types of tissues
What are the effects of the diff prostanoids?
Effects PGI2 PGE2 TXA2
Vasodilation / constriction dilate dilate Constrict
Inhibit / promote platelet aggregation inhibit NIL promote
Vascular Permeability NIL increase NIL
Pain NIL pain NIL
What are the 4 Aspirin pharmacological actions?
- anti-inflammatory
- analgesia
- anti-platelet
- anti-pyretic
What is the patho for aspirin anti-inflammatory action?
- Anti-inflammatory
a. Blocks COX at site of injury → ↓PGI2 & PGE2
b. ↓vasodilation, vascular permeability & pain
What is the patho for aspirin analgesia action?
- Analgesic
a. Blocks COX at site of injury → ↓ PGE2 which sensitizes the nociceptive fibers to stimulation by other inflammatory mediators
b. Additional analgesic actions in CNS
c. Analgesic ceiling → NSAIDs block sensitization only and does NOT block nociceptors directly → thus only for mild-moderate pain
i. Bradykinin and leukotriene are the inflammatory mediators that activates the nociceptors, while PGE2 sensitizes the nociceptor (meaning ↑extent of pain) → ↓ PGE2 does not mean bradykinin and leukotriene are not there & in severe pain, there are excess of bradykinin and leukotriene that NSAIDs do not block
What is the patho for aspirin anti-pyretic action?
- Anti-pyretic
a. Block COX in hypothalamus → ↓ PGE2 → ↓ restarting the body’s thermostat → ↓ fever
b. NSAIDs do NOT alter normal body temperature
What is the patho for aspirin anti-platelet action?
- Anti-platelet
a. Irreversible COX-1 inhibitor (platelet no nucleus) → Block COX-1 in platelet → ↓TXA2 irreversibly → ↓platelet aggregation (1-2wks)
b. Reversible COX-2inhibitor (endothelial cells have nucleus) → Block COX-2 in endothelial cells → ↓PGI2 → slight ↑platelet aggregation (a few hrs)
- Not used as painkiller due to many ADRs, overtaken by paracetamol
What is the ADRs of Aspirin?
- Reye’s syndrome
a. Children recovering from viral infections and taking aspiring have a higher risk of getting Reye’s syndrome
b. Rare but life threatening, swelling of brain and liver, vomiting, personality changes, listlessness, delirium, convulsions, loss of consciousness
c. Avoid in children - See the rest under ADRs of NSAIDs
Why do you have to avoid aspirin in children?
Reye’s syndrome
How would you choose naproxen, indomethacin and diclofenac? (can just open)
Choice of NSAIDs:
- Naproxen
a. More effective in women since ↑free fraction
b. BD dosing
c. Often used for dysmenorrhea - Indomethacin
a. Strongly anti-inflammatory since have steroid like phospholipase A inhibition (block all the pathways)
b. But bad ADRs e.g. confusion, depression, psychosis, hallucinations thus not 1st line - Diclofenac
a. Short t1/2, thus ↓ GI effects
b. Longer t1/2 in synovial fluids, thus useful for inflammatory joint disease
What are the ADRs of NSAIDs?
ADRs of NSAIDs
- GI ADRs
a. ADRs: dyspepsia, N&V, anorexia, abdominal pain, ulcers, bleeding risk - Renal ADRs
ii. Hyperkalaemia (PGI2 normally stimulates K+ excretion)
iii. Peripheral edema
iv. HTN - AKI
- Pseudo-allergic reaction + Bronchospasm
a. ADRs: skin rashes, swelling, itching, nasal congestion anaphylactic shock - Bleeding
What is the explanation for GI ADR effects when using NSAIDs?
What are the RFs?
How to manage this?
- GI ADRs
a. ADRs: dyspepsia, N&V, anorexia, abdominal pain, ulcers, bleeding risk
b. (Protective factors of PGE2) PGE2 ↓gastric acid secretions, ↑mucosal blood flow, ↑mucus secretion, ↑bicarbonate secretions
c. Explanation: NSAIDs ↓PGE2 → ↓protective factors → GI ADRs
d. RF: >65y/o, Hx of ulcer, chronic use of NSAIDs, concurrent steroids, anticoagulants, antiplatelets (if >=3 means high risk)
e. Management:
i. Don’t’ use >5days
ii. Avoid non-selective NSAIDs e.g. ibuprofen (but ibuprofen has less GI SE than naproxen)
iii. Use celecoxib but with caution + PPI
What is the explanation for Renal ADR effects when using NSAIDs?
What are the RFs?
How to manage this?
(Not including AKI RF)
- Renal ADRs (both COX-1 & 2)
a. Explanation: Inhibition of both PGI2 and PGE2 alters renal blood flow dynamics (glomerular filtration + electrolyte mvt)
b. Inhibition of PGE2:
i. Na retention (major) → PGE2 normally inhibit Na reabsorption at TAL
ii. Water retention
iii. Peripheral edema
iv. HTN
c. Inhibition of PGI2:
i. Suppression of Renin and aldosterone secretion (RAAS normally will ↑retention, PGI2 normally stimulates Na reabsorption)
ii. Hyperkalaemia (PGI2 normally stimulates K+ excretion)
iii. AKI → avoid diuretics, ACEI & ARBs → all ↓kidney functions (triple whammy) → look out for renal panel, BP
d. %Na reabsorption at TAL (due to PGE2 inhibition) > %Na cleared in tubules at DCT (Inhibition of PGI2) → overall, Na retention
e. Often seen in long acting NSAIDs e.g. celecoxib, naproxen
f. Management:
i. consult Dr
ii. monitor BP