Pharm: Skeletal Muscle Relaxants Flashcards
In which 2 conditions are patients resistant to non-depolarizing muscle relaxants (due to ↑ expression of nAChRs)?
Severe burns and upper motor neuron dz
What occurs in the Phase I block after dose of Succinylcholine?
- Activates nAChR –> depolarization of motor end plate: muscle contraction
- Membranes remain depolarized and unresponsive to subsequent impusles; flaccid paralysis results
Which drugs potentiate the neuromuscular blockage produced by nondepolarizing muscle relaxants in a dose-dependent fashion; list 6 drugs in this class in order of greatest to least effect?
Inhaled anesthetics: isoflurane >> sevoflurane = desflurane = enflurane = halothane > nitrous oxide
The combination of Succinylcholine and volatile anesthetics can result in what; how is this treated?
Malignant hyperthermia (rare); tx with Dantrolene
What is the MOA of Dantrolene?
- Inhibits the ryanodine receptor (RyR) –> prevents release of Ca2+ from sarcoplasmic reticulum
- Impaired skeletal muscle contraction; cardiac and smooth m. unaffected
What are 4 major uses of neuromuscular blocking drugs?
- Surgical relaxation
- Tracheal intubation
- Control of ventilation: for adequate gas exchange and prevents atelectasis in pt’s who have ventilatory failure; reduce chest wall resistance and improve thoracic compliance
- Tx of convulsions: of status epileptics or local anesthetic toxicity
Which 3 AChE inhibitors are used to tx Alzheimers and Dementia associated with Parkinsons?
Donepezil, Rivastigmine, and Galantamine
The centrally-acting spasmolytic, Carisprodol, is metabolized to what; why is this useful?
Meprobamate, which has anxiolytic and sedative effects (used to manage anxiety disorders)
Which 2 intermediate-acting steroid muscle relaxants undergo biliary excretion or hepatic metabolism for elimination and are more likely to be used clinically?
Vecuronium and Rocuronium
Which 5 AChE inhibitors are tertiary/uncharged; well absorbed from all sites and have CNS distribution?
Physostigmine + Donepezil + Tacrine + Rivastigmine + Galantamine
Which steroid muscle relaxant has the most rapid time of onset (60-120 sec.) and is an alternative to succinylcholine?
Rocuronium
What occurs if cholinesterase inhibitors are given during the phase I depolarizing block of Succinylcholine?
Potentiate the block; not reversal
Which agents are co-administered with AChE inhibitors during reversal of the effects of neuromuscular blocking agents to minimize adverse cholinergic effects?
Anticholinergic agents i.e., Atropine, Glycopyrrolate –> minimize DUMBBELSS
Succinylcholine is often used in what 2 scenarios?
- For rapid sequence induction i.e., emergency surgery when the objective is to secure the airway rapidly and prevent soiling of the lungs with gastric contents
- For quick surgical procedures where an ultrashort acting neuromuscular blocker is practical
What is the MOA of the centrally-acting spasmolytic, Baclofen?
GABAB receptor agonist; results in hyperpolarization (due to ↑ K+ conductance) and inhibition of excitatory NT release in brain and spinal cord
What is Glatiramer Acetate and it’s MOA?
- Mix of polymers of 4 AA’s (L-alanine, L-glutamic acid, L-lysine, and L-tyrosine) antigenically similar to myelin basic protein
- Induces and activates T-lymphocyte suppressor cells specific for myelin antigen
- Also interference w/ antigen-presenting function of certain immune cells opposing pathogenic T-cell function
What is the MOA of interferon-beta-1a and beta-1b used for MS?
Interferes w/ T-cell adhesion to the endothelium at BBB by binding VLA-4 on T cells or by inhibiting T-cell expression of MMP
What are 3 AE’s of the the centrally-acting spasmolytic, Cyclobenzaprine?
Drowsiness + dizziness + xerostomia
Which AE of Succinylcholine may be seen when administered during halothane anesthesia?
Cardiac arrhythmias
Succinylcholine may cause increased pressure in which 2 locations as an AE?
↑ intraocular pressure and ↑ intragastric pressure
What is the action of the centrally-acting spasmolytic, Cyclobenzaprine?
Reduces tonic somatic motor activity by influencing both alpha and gamma motor neurons
Which AChE inhibitor is preferred as an antidote for anticholinergic intoxication?
Physostigmine - can cross the BBB
Prolonged neuromuscular blockade after a dose of succinylcholine can occur in pt’s with genetically abnormal what?
Variant of plasma cholinesterase
What are 3 AE’s associated with Dantrolene?
- Generalized muscle weakness
- Sedation
- Occasionally hepatitis
Why has the clinical use of the neuromuscular blocking agent, d-tubocurarine, declined in favor of other agents?
Causes significant histamine release and has very long duration of action
What is the tx for AChE inhibitor intoxication?
- Atropine in combo w/ maintenance of vital signs (respiration) and decontamination; will only be effective at mAChRs
- To regenerate AChE at NMJ, give pralidoxime
- Atopine + pralidoxime + benzodiazepine are typically combined
What is the effect on arteries/veins with normal dose of AChE inhibitor vs. high-dose?
- Normal: dilation (via EDRF)
- High-dose: constriction