Local Anesthetics Flashcards
Adding a vasoconstrictor to a local anesthetic does what to it?
Increases its duration of action by 50% by reducing systemic absorption
Describe what each part of a local anestetic molecule does:
- Lipophilic part:
- Intermediate chain:
- Hydrophilic part:
- Lipophilic part: rapid penetration of biological membranes (aromatic part)
- Intermediate chain: determines metabolic pathway and allergenicity
- Hydrophilic part: ionizable amine- pH determines % of charged vs uncharged (amine part)
Describe how inflammation or infection affects pH tissue and administration of local anesthetics
infection or inflammation lowers tissue pH, resulting in a greater fraction of local anesthetic in cationic form [Drug+], less drug diffuses through membranes to site of action, thus less effective pain relief.
**Clinically, this generally results in larger dose being necessary in areas of inflammation.
Which of the following is true about local anesthetics?
A. They are weak acids
B. They are strong bases
C. They are largely in the charged cationic form at normal body pH
D. The charged form of the drug readily penetrates the cell membrane because of the presence of a hydrophilic group
E. The non-ionized form of the drug blocks the Na+ channel
C. They are largely in the charged cationic form at normal body pH
Local anesthetics are __.
Which form can readily penetrate the cell membrane?
weak bases
- [Uncharged base] lipophilic form crosses membranes (aromatic)
- [Charged cation] hydrophilic form increase solubility and stabiity and form that blocks Na channels
Intermediate Chain (ester or amide linkage). Determines __ and __
metabolic fate and allergenic potential.
Describe the metabolic fate, allergenic potential, and toxic potential of esters
- metabolized by plasma and liver esterases (results in shorter duration of action, T1//2 minutes) to allergenic metabolites (PABA, with higher incidence of allergic reactions).
- Low toxic potential
Describe the metabolic fate, allergenic potential, and toxic potential of amides
- metabolized in liver by amidases (major, T1/2 1-3min) and CYP450 enzymes (minor) with potential for interindividual variations in rate.
- Presence of liver disease or heart failure (ie. reduced hepatic BF) can increase toxic potential
What are examples of ester LA
- Tetracaine
- Cocaine
- Benzocaine
- procaine (Novocain)
- Chloroprocaine
What are examples of amide LA
- Lidocaine
- Mepivacaine
- Bupivacaine
The pKa of lidocaine is 7.7. In infected tissue, which can be acidic, for example at pH 6.7, the percentage of the drug in the nonionized form will be: A. 1% B. 10% C. 50% D. 90% E. 99%
B. 10%
What is the henderson hasselbach equation?
pH-pKa= log [Drug]/[Drug+]
Local anesthetics exert their therapeutic effects by which one of the following nerve fiber types? A. Type Aα B. Type Aβ C. Type Aγ D. Type Aδ E. Type B F. Type C
D. Type Aδ
F. Type C
What type of fibers are affected first
Small>large
Myelinated>unmyelinated
Small>Myelinated
*sensory pain and postganglionic sympathetic neurons smallest
___ fibers have the highest firing rate
activated sensory pain fibers
- faster the neuronal firing rate–> greater the blocking effect
ex. of use-dependent blockade
Describe the sensitivity to block - loss of nerve fxn (1st to last) (great interpatient variation)
sympathetic pre- / postganglionic [C fiber] → vasodilation) ≥ pain [C fiber > Aδ] ≥ cold > warmth »_space; touch > pressure > vibration > proprioception > motor
*recovery of fxn generally occurs in reverse order
Local anesthetics exert their therapeutic effects primarily by which one of the following mechanisms?
A. Stimulation of activity-dependent Na+ channels
B. Blockade of activity-dependent Na+ channels
C. Blockade of NMDA-glutamate receptors
D. Blockade of spinal cord mu-opioid receptors
E. Opening of K+ channels
B. Blockade of activity-dependent Na+ channels
PK has a greater influence on _____
- offset of effects than onset
- related more to toxic effects than therapeutic effects
Describe the absorption of LA
- poor uptake PO or topical (hepatic 1st pass effect destroys agents given orally)
- Uptake is excellent following injection - SC, IM, IV, but NOT infiltration
-special formulas improve topical absorption (ie. Lidocain forms)
Systemic absorption can be modified by several factors including:
- Dosage (Higher= more systemic absorption)
- Injection site rate (related to vascularity)
- Vasodilatory action (reduced w/ vasoconstriction= prolong local effect)
- tissue pH
All of the following factors influence the action of local anesthetics EXCEPT:
A. Tissue pH
B. The use of vasoconstrictors
C. Dose of local anesthetic injected
D. Blood flow through the tissue in which injection is made
E. Acetylcholinesterase activity in the region of the injection site
E. Acetylcholinesterase activity in the region of the injection site
Describe the distribution of LA
- Widely distributed (amides>esters)
- cross BBB and placenta
- Distribution is faster in healthy pts, thus lower initial blood levels
Determinant of systemic toxicity rather than duration
metabolism/excretion
LA action is terminated by __
diffusion from site of action
Termination of the systemic actions of local anesthetics:
A. Involves metabolic breakdown primarily by plasma cholinesterase for lidocaine
B. Involves plasma protein binding primarily with ester type agents
C. Involves vascular absorption primarily with amide type agents
D. Is enhanced in the presence of vasoconstrictors such as epinephrine with amide type agents
E. Involves metabolic breakdown primarily by plasma cholinesterase for chloroprocaine
E. Involves metabolic breakdown primarily by plasma cholinesterase for chloroprocaine
What are systemic adverse effects of LA
- LA can affect any excitable membrane
- Allergenicity (lower w/ amides/ true allergy is rare)
- CNS effects
- CV effects
- Methemoglobinemia (impaired tissue oxygenation)