Lecture 19: Opioids Flashcards
Which two compounds are naturally found in opium?
Morphine and codeine
3 opioid receptors and their endogenous opioid. These receptors are all which type? Analgesics act where?
Mu (endorphin), delta (enkephalin), kappa (dynorphin); GPCRs; mu
Where is each receptor localized? Give more detail on the subtypes of mu receptors (function)
Mu: brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves, intestinal tract; mu1 = analgesia, mu2 = respiratory depression, miosis, euphoria, GI motility, mu3 = vasodilation; Delta: brain, peripheral nerves; Kappa: brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves
Which opioid receptor is associated with dysphoria?
Kappa
How do endogenous opioid peptides interact with receptors? When are they released?
Full agonists; during stress/excitement/pain
Where are opioid receptors prominently expressed? Main function here?
Terminals of excitatory and inhibitory neurons; hyperpolarize terminal/interfere with Ca2+ entry –> reduce transmitter release
Postsynaptic opioid receptors are excitatory or inhibitory?
Inhibitory
Describe mu-receptor agonist activity in the periphery
Bind to presynaptic MORs, inhibit release
Describe mu-receptor agonist activity in the CNS
Mu agonists inhibit GABA interneurons in the PAG, which disinhibits the medulla –> 5HT and NE release in dorsal horn, inhibiting 2nd order sensory neurons (decrease pain signal)
Do opioids ever effect receptors other than MORs? Give 4 examples.
Yes! Morphine = kappa agaonist, buprenorphine = kappa/delta antagonist, methadone = NMDA antagonist, tramadol = block 5HT uptake
Describe absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion of opioids
Absorption: well absorbed via subcutaneous, intramuscular, oral; Distribution: highly perfused; Metabolism: first-pass by liver, polar metabolites excreted by kidneys
CNS effects of mu agonists
Analgesia, drowsiness, euphoria respiratory depression, cough suppression, lowered seizure threshold, miosis
Cardio effects of mu agonists. Hormone?
Vasodilation; increased histamine
GI effects of mu agonists
Decreased motility/secretions
Renal effects of mu agonists. Hormone?
Decreased urination; increased ADH
Skin effects of mu agonists. Hormone?
Flushing, itching; increased histamine
Immune effects of mu agonists
Altered lymphocyte proliferation, Ab production, chemotaxis
What are 3 OTHER uses for morphine
Anti-dyspneic (first line therapy for symptom relief), anti-tussive, anti-diarrheal
Morphine’s mechanism
Full MOR agonist
Morphine is good for treating these types of acute pain…Compare nociceptive to neuropathic.
Trauma, peri-operative, acute coronary; nociceptive > neuropathic
Morphine: bioavailability, metabolism, excretion
0.25 oral; hepatic, 10% is active (morphine-6-glucuronide, more potent than morphine), 90% is a neurotoxin (morphine-3-glucuronide); 90% urine
Morphine: adverse effects w/ tolerance (5).
Sedation (tolerance); nausea (tolerance); constipation; respiratory depression (most common cause of morbidity but not significant at standard doses); other (delirium, seizure, dry mouth, urinary retention, pruritus)
Morphine: precautions (4)
Abdominal (worsen GI bc of reduced motility); hepatic (may metabolize poorly –> increased bioavailability); renal (neurotoxic metabolites may accumulate); respiratory disease/head injury (depressed response to pCO2 can worsen respiratory problems and increase ICP)
Codeine’s mechanism and morphine relation
Weak MOR agonist; pro-drug for morphine
Main clinical uses of codeine
Analgesia and cough suppressant
T/F: The adverse effects of codeine are better than morphine
False! N/V and pruritus are both worse than morphine
Describe codeine’s metabolism and importance
Hepatic/CYP2D6, ultra-rapid metabolizers produce high levels of morphine while poor metabolizers may have no effect
Describe oxycodone’s metabolism and importance
Hepatic/CYP2D6, ultra-rapid metabolizers produce high levels of oxymorphone while poor metabolizers may have no effect
These two common drugs are related to oxycodone. What are their relationships?
Oxycontin: ER formula; Percocet: combo with acetaminophen
What is Vicodin?
Hydrocodone + acetaminophen
Hydrocodone is derived from what? Clinical uses (2)
Codeine; analgesia and anti-tussive (more potent than codeine)
What is special about hydromorphone? (3)
- Safer in patients with liver disease; 2. Safer in patients with kidney disease (no active metabolites); 3. More potent than morphine (7-8x)
How does heroin work?
Morphine prodrug that is hydrolyzed in blood, liver, RBCs and easily crosses BBB due to lipophilicity
What is special about fentanyl? (2)
Does not cause histamine release and has no active metabolites
What is the clinical use, mechanism, and side effects of loperamide?
Diarrhea; slows intestinal contractions to allow moisture reabsorption; GI pain, dry mouth, anorexia, hyperglycemia, rare: necrotizing enterocolitis