Local Anesthetics (Exam #1) Flashcards
In what two ways do Esters differ from Amides?
ESTERS have…
- Shorter DOA
- MORE systemic toxicity
How are local anesthetics transported across cell membranes?
- Non-ionized form to cross
- Ionized form to bind intracellularly
What type of base are most local anesthetics, and at physiological pH, what form dominates?
How would this change their activity if the extracellular pH is more acidic? More basic?
LAs = weak bases
- At pH of 7.4, ionized form dominates
- If more ACIDIC environment = ionized dominates, so LESS activity because can’t cross membrane
- If more BASIC environment = non-ionized dominates, so MORE activity because more crosses and then becomes ionized → can bind
What is the exception to the pKa/pH rule for local anesthetics, and what does this mean for its use?
Benzocaine has pKa of 3.5 and NON-ionized dominates
- Topical use only because unable to bind within cell
What is the MOA for all local anesthetics?
Block Na channels
What type of axon are blocks more effective in? How do elevated Ca vs. elevated K affect the block?
Block MORE effective in rapidly firing axons (NOT resting)
- High Ca = block diminished (channels in resting state)
- High K = block enhanced (channels in open/firing state)
How is duration of action determined for local anesthetics?
DOA = time at site of action
Which local anesthetic is SHORT duration of action? Which is INTERMEDIATE? Which three are LONG?
- Short: Procaine
- Intermediate: Lidocaine
- Long: TBR (Tetracaine, Bupivicaine, Ropivicaine)
How are amides metabolized? How are esters metabolized?
- Amides = CYP450s (liver)
- Esters = butyrylchlolinesterases
What is a differential block, and what are two examples of different blocks? What is the order of sensitivity from most to least sensitive?
Differential block: different degrees of sensory and motor blocks
- Bupivacaine = sensory before motor (epidural)
- Etidocaine = motor before sensory (inverse diff. block)
Sympathetic > Sensory > Touch > Motor
What characteristic of fibers makes them MORE sensitive? Which two characteristics make them LESS sensitive?
- More sensitive: smaller diameter
- Less sensitive: myelinated, faster conduction velocity
What AE differs between esters and amides?
Esters are MORE likely to cause hypersensitivity
What local anesthetic has an AE of increased CV toxicity?
Bupivacaine (amide)
What local anesthetic has an AE of methemoglobinemia, and how might this present?
Prilocaine (amide)
- Chocolate colored skin
Is Procaine an ester or amide? What is its DOA, and what is its primary use?
ESTER
- SHORTEST duration of action
Used for diagnostic blocks