Opioids Flashcards
Morphine structure
The reference opioid. A phenanthrene derivative (naturally occuring opioid)
Morphine preparations
IV - clear colourless solution 10-30mg/mL of morphine sulphate
Intrathecal - clear colourless solution of 0.5mg/mL (500mcg/mL) of preservative free morphine sulphate
PO - 5-200mg tablets and syrup 2-20mg/ml
PR - 15-30mg
Morphine doses
IV = 0.05-0.1mg/kg Q4H PO = 5-20mg Q4H SC/IM = 0.1-0.2mg/kg Q4H Intrathecal = 0.2-1mg Epidural 2-4mg
Morphine absorption
30% oral bioavailability due to extensive hepatic first pass metabolism.
IM/IV peak effects 10-30 mins after administration with duration of action 3-4 hours
Morphine distribution
VD 3.5L/kg. 35% protein bound (low)
weak base (pKa 8) - 23% unionised at physiological pH.
Low lipid solubility. Poor BBB permeability - therefore slow onset and offset
Morphine metabolism
Metabolised primarily by liver. Main process is glucuronidation
- 85% to morphine-3-glucorinide - inactive but may show some Mu activity
- 10% to morphine-6-glucorinide - similar Mu receptor affinity, pharmacological effects and duration of action but significantly more potent analgesic effects (contributes greatly to analgesic effects of morphine).
- 5% N-demethylation
NB morphine can be used in liver failure as compensatory glucoronidation occurs in kidneys
Morphine excretion
Urinary excretion of small amounts of unchanged morphine and the M6G.
10% biliary excretion of unchanged morphine and its metabolites.
Clearance 15ml/min/kg. Elimination t1/2 = 1.5-3.5 hours
NB morphine should be avoided with renal failure as morphine and M6G will accummulate.
Pethidine structure
Synthetic opioid - phenylpiperidine derivative
Pethidine mechanism of action
Main MOA is Mu and Kappa opioid receptor agonist
Other effects:
- anticholinergic effects due to being structurally similar to atropine. Causes increased HR, dry mouth, mydriasis
- alpha-2 agonist - decrease shivering
- LA effect - blocks VG-Na channels when given neuraxially and impairs nerve conduction
Pethidine clinical uses
1) analgesia for moderate to severe pain. 10x less potent and also shorter acting than morphine but quicker onset due to increased lipid solubility
- post-op can be given as PCA (prolonged use associated with norpethidine toxicity) or epidurally
2) treatment of post-op shivering - due to kappa and alpha 2 adrenoreceptor effects
3) anti-spasmodic effect to treat biliary / renal colic due to its anti-cholinergic effects
NB does not have anti-tussive effects
Pethidine preperations and doses
Tablet 50mg (well absorbed orally)
Clear colourless solution of pethidine HCL (10 or 50mg/mL) for IV/IM. Dose 25-100mg.
Epidural use 25mg.
Pethidine distribution
- VD 4L/kg, 60% protein binding
- weak base 8.7 (5% unionised at physiological pH
- High lipid solubility
Pethidine metabolism
Extensive hepatic metabolism(>90%)
- ester hydrolysis to pethidinic acid (inactive)
- N-demethylation to norpethidine (active metabolite with 50% analgesic activity) which is then hydrolysed to norpethidinic acid
NB: norpethidine is toxic. Toxicity causes seizures, hallucinations, confusion etc. Cannot be reversed with naloxone. Toxicity occurs with prolonged use or renal failure.
Pethidine elimination
Urinary excretion. pH dependent, acidification of urine can increase excretion up to 25%.
Clearance 10-20ml/min/kg
Elimination half life 3-5 hours
Pethidine side effects
Tachycardia due to anti-cholinergic effects. Also dry mouth and mydriasis (not miosis)
Interacts with MAOis and SSRIs to cause serotonin syndrome (inhibits serotonin reuptake centrally)
Fentanyl structure and mechanism of action
Synthetic phenylpiperidine derivative with a rapid onset of action.
It is highly selective for Mu receptor
Fentanyl preparations
Clear colourless solution 50mcg/mL of fentanyl citrate for IV/IM or epidural use
Topical patch 25-100mcg/hr
Fentanyl clinical uses
1) Analgesia - IV 1-2mcg/kg. 75-125x more potent than morphine
- transdermal patch = 25-100mcg/hr. Slow rate of onset (18hrs) but steady state at that point. Lasts for 72 hours
2) Minimise haemodynamic reaction to surgical stimulation or laryngoscopy
3) Obtund metabolic stress response to surgery (50-150mcg/kg)
4) Augment effects of a neuraxial block (10-25mcg intra-thecal) (25-100mcg epidural)
5) Pre-medication to decrease anxiety, sedation and facilitate induction of GA (esp in kids) - issues with PONV and resp depression
Fentanyl absorption and distribution
Poor bioavailability due to extensive hepatic first pass metabolism. Transdermal works well due to high lipid solubility
Vd 4l/kg, large protein binding
Very high lipid solubility so rapid onset of action as it crosses the BBB easily. Significant first pass pulmonary uptake (75%) and uptake in to inactive tissues (adipose and skeletal muscle) due to lipid solubility
Fentanyl metabolism and excretion
Hepatic metabolism by CYP3A4 to inactive metabolites.
10% of fentanyl excreted unchanged in the urine as well as inactive metabolites.
T1/2 = 3-6hrs (longer than morphine due to increased Vd and same Cl)
CSHT largely prolonged with prolonged infusions or repeated doses due to high uptake by inactive tissues then slow redistribution upon cessation of infusion
Sufentanil structure and mechanism of action
Synthetic phenylpiperidine derivative - thienyl analogue of fentanyl
Highly selective at Mu receptor
Sufentanil preparation and uses
Clear, colourless solution 50mcg/mL of sufentanil citrate for IV or epidural use
Uses:
1) intra-operative analgesia 0.1-0/4mcg/kg or epidural 10-100mcg. (5-10x more potent than fentanyl)
2) minimise haemodynamic response to noxious surgical stimuli
Sufentanil absorption and distribution
Given IV or epidural only. Rapid onset of action 1-6 min, lasting 0.5-8hrs
Vd small - 1.5L (characteristic of sufentanil) due to high protein binding >90% (mainly to alpha 1 glycoprotein).
Very high lipid solubility. Significant first pass pulmonary uptake and uptake in adipose tissue
Sufentanil metabolism
Rapid hepatic metabolism
- N-dealkylation to inactive metabolite nor-sufentanil
- O-demethylation to desmethyl sufentanil (active with 10% activity)
NB very high hepatic extraction ratio therefore hepatic clearance depends on hepatic blood flow