Neuro Pharm Flashcards
NSAIDs
Abortive therapy for headaches.
Triptans
Terminate pain by activating serotonin 5-HT1B/1D receptors
Analogs of serotonin– 1st line for acute migraine
Equally effective for moderate to severe migraine and cluster headaches.
Not recommended in pregnancy.
Frequent use –> medication-overuse headache
Sumatriptan
Poor oral bioavailability and metabolized in liver by MOA-A.
AE: Chest tightness, weakness, somnolence, dizziness, skin paresthesias, CORONARY VASOSPASM
CI: IHD, history of MI/angina, uncontrolled HTN, PAD
DI: MAOIs or SSRIs (increased risk of serotonin syndrome)
Triptans CI in severe renal/hepatic impairment
Naratriptan and frovatriptan
These two are not metabolized by MAO and do not have DI with MAO
Ergot Alkaloisd
Ergotamine and Dihydroergotamine
Ergotamine
Oral, SL, rectal
Oral absorption poor, often combined with caffeine to increase absorption
Dihydroergotamine (DHE)
Intranasal and parenteral
Injectable often used for intractable migraine along with antiemetic
Fewer side effects than ergotamine
Ergot alkaloids AE
N/V, limb paresthesias or pain
Nasal spray - stinging/rhinitis, unpleasant taste
Give antiemetic for N/V
Ergot alkaloids CI
IHD, PAD, HTN, pregnancy
Has sig effect in coronary arteries
Ergot Alkaloids DI
Avoid concurrent triptans; beta blockers, strong CYP3A4 inhibitors as they reduce hepatic hepatic metabolism of ergot alkaloids
Ergotism
Severe peripehral ischemia - cold, numb, painful ext, and claudication
Overdose- vascular occlusion and gangrene
NSAIDs
MOA: COX inhibitors, block PG synthesis
Good evidence for aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen
Indicated in mild to moderate migraine, can be used in severe migraine if past response was good
NSAIDs AE
GI upset
NSAIDs CI
PUD, renal insufficiency, heart failure
Acetaminophen/ASA/Caffeine
Acetaminophen MOA: inhibits PG synthesis in the CNS by blocking the COX
Aspirin MOA: inhibits COX 1 and 2 irreversibly
Caffeine MOA: vasoconstrictor
Acetaminophen/ASA/Caffeine AE and CI
AE: GI upset, insomnia
CI: PUD, renal disease
Opioids
Not preferred due to AE (nausea, drowsiness, constipation) and abuse potential.
Overuse of opioids can lead to rebound, medication overuse, dependence, and abuse potential
Indicated for severe migraine attacks when all other abortive treatments have failed
Butorphanol nasal spray
Opioid agonist/antagonist at mu opioid rec
Tramadol
Dual action analgesic
Agonist at mu opioid rec
Inhibits reuptake of NE and serotonin
Indicated for moderate to severe migraine pain
Toxicity associated with seizures, relative CI in seizure disorder
Potential for serotonin syndrome with other serotonergic drugs or enzyme inhibiting drugs
Calcitonin Gene-related peptide receptor antagonist
Gepants
Rimegepant
Ubrogepant
Atogepant
CGRP/gepants
Route: oral
MOA: inhibit the actions of CGRP which is a potent vasodilator and pain-signaling neurotransmitter
Indication: only considered for patients who can’t use triptans or have failed two triptans
Selective Serotonin G-HT1F agonist
“ditans”
Lasmiditan
Route: oral
MOA: binds selectively to 5-HT1F rec which is distinct from triptans which bind to 5HT 1B/1D
Lasmiditan
Treat migraine by decreasing trigeminal system stimulation without causing vasoconstriction.
5-HT 1F expressed in trigeminal system but not found in cerebral vessels. 5-HT1F are found in the neocortex and hippocampus
Lasmiditan AE
Dizziness, sedation, paresthesia, hallucinations, euphoria, risk of serotonin syndrome
Lasmiditan Indication
Should only be considered for patients who can’t use triptans or who have failed two triptans
Antiemetics
Metoclopramide - dopamine rec antagonist
Prochlorperazine - antihistamine
Used as adjunct for ergot alkaloid and triptans
May be given for intractable migraine headache - via IV
AE: sedation, dystonic reactions (metoclopramide)
Dexamethasone
Rescue therapy for status migrainosus (severe, continuous headache for >72 hours and up to 1 week
May be used as adjunct to abortive therapy
Mild to moderate acute migraine attack
NSAID or acetaminophen
Moderate to severe acute migraine attack
Triptan
If fail triptan, can try ergot alkaloids
Patients who failed two triptans can be considered for therapy with CGRP antagonist or lasmiditan
Prophylaxis of migraine headaches Indications
Two or more attacks per month with >3 days’ disability
CI to serious AE with or failure of acute treatments
Use of abortive medications >2x/week
Presence of uncommon migraine conditions (hemiplegic, prolonged aura, migranous infarction)
Antiepileptics
Valproate
Topiramate
MOA: unclear for migrane (Increased GABA and decreased glutamine, Na/Ca ion channel activity)
AE: Valproate - nausea, fatigue, tremor, WEIGHT GAIN, hair loss
Topiramate - paresthesias, fatigue, taste perversion, weight loss, DIFFICULTY WITH MEMORY, language
Both are teratogenic and CI in pregnancy
Beta blockers
Metoprolol, propranolol (most common), timolol
MOA: May attenuate the second phase of migraine by blocking vasodilation mediated by ebta 2 rec
AE: fatigue, exercise intolerance, bradycardia, hypotension
Caution in severe obstructive pulmonary disease
May aggravate comorbid depression
Not recommended in 2nd and 3rd trimesters
Antidepressants
MOA: May down regulate 5-HT2 rec
Amitriptyline (TCA)
AE: Sedation, dry mouth, weight gain, orthostatic hypotension
Venlafaxine (SNRI)
AE: Nausea, vomiting
Increased risk of serotonin syndrome if given with a truptan
Menstrual migraine
NSAIDs or triptans
Monoclonal Ab against CGRP rec
Eptinezymab, erenumab, fremanezumab, galcanezumab
Route: SQ once/month or every 3 months
MOA: inhibit the actions of CGRP which is a potent vasodilator and pain-signaling NT
Indication: migraine prevention in patients with adherence issues or unable to take other oral agents for prevention
Used for PREVENTION of migraines
Monoclonal Ab agaisnt CGRP rec for cluster headaches
Galcanezumab
Atogepant
FDA approved for prophylaxis and acute management
Onabotulinumtoxin A
FDA approved for prophylaxis in adults with chronic migraine
>15 headache days/months for >4 hours/day
Prophylaxis for HA in healthy or comorbid HTN or angina
Beta blocker therapy
Verapamil if beta blocker CI or ineffective
Prophylaxis for HA in comorbid depression or insomnia
Tricyclic antidepressant
Amitriptyline
Prophylaxis for HA in comorbid seizure disorder or bipolar illness
Anticonvulsant - valproate and topiramate
If ineffective, beta blockers
Prophylaxis for HA in headaches that recur in predictable pattern (menstrual migraine)
NSAID or triptan
Abortive therapy in pregnancy
Acetaminophen for short term use
Avoid NSAIDs in 3rd trimester (premature closure of ductus arteriosus)
Ergots CI
Prophylaxis not recommended
Abortive therapy cluster headache
Inhaled oxygen - DOC
Triptans
Prophylaxis of cluster headache
verapamil, lithium, glucocorticoids (prednisone), valproic acid, topiramate, ergotamine, melatonin, capsaicin, galcanezumab
Tension Headache
Non-pharm: biofeedback, acupuncture, relaxation training, physiotherapy
Medications: NSAIDs, acetaminophen
Prophylaxis with amitriptyline with or without regular OMT
What converts levodopa to dopamine in peripheral tissues?
L-aromatic amino acid decarboxylase (LAAD)
Does L-dopa cross BBB?
Yes, dopamine does not.
What drug is given with L-dopa?
Carbidopa which is an LAAD inhibitor that increases amount of L-dopa that goes to brain tissue to be converted to dopamine in the brain
L-dopa considerations
Absorbed from proximal duodenum
Dietary amino acids compete for transport into the circulation and may also decrease movement in the brain so protein restricted diets/separation of high protein meals may be advised
Large first pass effect; 95% metabolized in gut wall and liver which is why it’s given with carbidopa