ICL 7.1: Opioid Pharmacology Flashcards
what is an opioid?
any molecule, natural or synthetic, that acts on opioid receptors
morphine is the prototype or standard opioid analgesic
what are the 3 clinically important opioid receptors?
- mu
- kappa
- delta
the reduction of awareness and reaction to pain is controlled through a combination of mμ, kappa and delta receptors within the brain
what are the 3 endogenous peptides? which opioid receptors do they bind to?
- endorphins –> mu receptors
- enkephalins –> delta receptors
- dynorphins –> kappa receptors
these are the endogenous opioids that we make in our own body that then go bind to the mu, delta, or kappa receptors!
what is the location and effects of binding to the mu receptor?
location = brain, spinal cord
effects = analgesia, respiratory depression**, euphoria, addiction, ALL pain messages blocked
what is the location and effects of binding to the kappa receptor?
location = brain, spinal cord
effects = analgesia, sedation, all non-thermal pain messages blocked
what is the location and effects of binding to the delta receptor?
location = brain
effects = analgesia, antidepression, dependence
where are endorphins released from?
pituitary and hypothalamus and other brain regions
where are enkephalins released from?
CNS and peripheral nerve endings
where are dynoprhins released from?
pain nerve endings
what is the MOA of when something binds to mu and kappa receptors?
Inhibit neurotransmitter release (e.g. Substance P) –> substance P is what normally helps you sense that there’s a injury
so binding will inhibit nociceptor signals from reaching the spinal cord
this leads to reduced nerve excitability, and alter pain perception
what are the traditional opioids?
- morphine
- oxymorphine
- oxycodone
- methadone
- fentanyl
these are pure agonists referred to as mμ agonists
what are the “other” non-traditional opioids?
- malbuphine
- butorphanol
they are partial agonists stimulate kappa receptors but block mμ receptors
what biochemistry happens when you stimulate a mu, kappa or delta receptor?
- inhibition of adenylyl cyclase
- reduced opening of voltage-gated Ca2+ channels.
- stimulation of K+ current
- activation of PKC and PLCβ
which endogenous peptides have a similar effect to morphine?
enkephalins and endorphins
why are opioids addictive?
opioids cross the blood-brain barrier which is what causes addiction!!
the pain-inhibitory neuron is indirectly activated by opioids (exogenous or endogenous), which inhibit an inhibitory (GABAergic) interneuron
GABA usually inhibits your pain-inhibitory neuron and what opioids do is inhibit GABA so that your pain-inhibitory neuron is working well!
this results in enhanced inhibition of nociceptive processing in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord
what is the MOA of morphine?
morphine decreases the action potential or it can block the influx of calcium –> this inhibits release of glutamate from primary afferent fibers in the spinal cord
morphine can also decrease the release of neuropeptides such as substance-P, neurokinin A, neurokinin B –> substance P usually tells your brain that there is pain/injury
which drugs act as agonists at the opioid receptors?
- Morphine
- Heroin
- Methadone
- Oxycodone
- Codeine
- Meperidine
- Fentanyl
which drugs act as antagonists at the opioid receptors?
- naloxone
- naltrexone
- nalmefene
which drugs act as partial agonists at the opioid receptors?
- pentazocine,
- nalbuphine
- buprenorphine
- butorphanol
what are the effects of morphine on the body?
- analgesia
- reduced consciousness
- respiratory depression
- constriction of pupils
- antitussive action
- nausea and vomiting
- impaired temperature regulation; reduced body temperature
- itching
- suppressed immune function
- increased skeletal muscle tone = truncal rigidity
- seizures
- cardiovascular effects
how does morphine cause respiratory depression?
there is reduced sensitivity to CO2
this causes increased arterial CO2 pressure and increase cerebral blood flow because you’ve desensitized the chemoreceptors to CO2 and they are no longer sensing that there’s an increase in CO2
respiratory depression is the COD in ODs
what cardiovascular effects does morphine have?
- modest orthostatic hypotension
- hypotension (in overdosed patients)
- pronounced hypotension
- increased intracranial blood flow and CSF pressure
what is the effect of morphine on smooth muscle in the GI tract, kidney, and uterus?
- gastrointestinal tract (myenteric plexus): decreased peristalsis, decreased secretions, increased sphincter tone, manifested as cramping, constipation
- reduced renal function, increased tone of ureter, bladder and sphincter
- increased biliary tone
- uterus – can prolong labor
what are the effects of morphine on neuroendocrine actions?
- decreased release of GnRH and CRH
- reduction in circulating levels of LH, FSH, ACTH and beta-endorphin
- hypogonadism may occur with chronic use
- prolactin and vasopressin release are increased
what are the psychological effects of moprhine?
- euphoria/dysphoria: partly determined by expectations and environment, the particular drug, route of administration, previous experience, presence of pain
- reduced anxiety secondary to analgesia
what is the chemical composition of opioids?
they are weak bases, not well absorbed in the acid environment of the stomach
so instead, they are absorbed in the intestines were the pH is more alkaline!
metabolic inactivation of the opioids occurs in the hepatic drug microsomal metabolizing system however, heroin is not metabolized to inactive product; heroin is rapidly changed into morphine
what is the MOA of morphine?
it’s a very strong mu and/or kappa receptor agonist