Pharmacology 2 Flashcards
define pharmokinetics
the movement of drugs into and around and out of the body e.g. what the drug does to the body
define pharmdynamics
how drugs work when they reach their site of action
'’what the drug does to the body’’
what are the pharmokinetic actions of drugs
Drugs may act on:
One of the components of the cell
One of the critical chemical pathways of the cell
Transport mechanisms allowing chemicals into and outside of cells
Chemical messaging systems between cells
DNA / RNA replication
what are examples of how cells communicate to each otther
neurotransmitters
e.g. noradrenaline
acetylcholine
gaba
dopamine
serotonin
what is the medicines receptor theory
lock and key’ mechanism of interaction of drug molecules with receptor sites:
Agonist (enhances action) at receptor site
Antagonist (diminishes action) at receptor site
Partial agonist (dampens down action) at receptor site
what is an agonist
Receptor + Drug molecule = enhanced action at receptor
B2 adrenoceptor + B2 agonist, eg.salbutamol
= enhancement of receptor action (maintenance of airway) = further dilates the airways
what is an antagonist
Receptor plus drug molecule = reduced action at receptor:
B1 adrenoceptor + B1blocker, eg. atenolol, propranolol
= vasodilation
= reduced blood pressure
Cholinergic receptor + anticholinergic (cholinergic receptor antagonist) eg. atropine
= dilation of pupil
Serotonin Receptor + SSRI – selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor
= increases serotonin concentration outside of the receptor
= enhanced mood
what is a partial agoinst
Opiate Receptor + Partial agonist e.g. Buprenorphine
= moderate pain relief
= moderate opiate addiction potential
(synthetic opiate for pain and useful in substance misuse to withdraw from opiated)
what needs to be considered with eye formulations and eye drops
Absorbed through ?
Local or systemic?
How long are they in contact with the eye?
What is compliance like?
What are the risks of preservatives?
How can we avoid / minimise those risks?
how are eye drops absorbed
Principally absorbed through the cornea but absorption through conjunctival mucosa also occurs, giving rise to systemic effects.
High intraocular concentrations in the anterior segment of the eye are achieved if applied regularly.
Drops may be in solution (clear) or in suspension (cloudy).
There is a short drug-eye contact time so they tend to need a frequent application. [note preservative sensitivity]
Generally good compliance.
[Note UD- (unit dose) eye products are preservative free]
what are the advantages of eye ointments formulations
Allow a prolonged contact time; therefore, less frequent applications are required (good for night use). Blur vision.
Help lubrication so that concurrent lubricant use is not always necessary (unless there was previous intensive usage or there is a large abrasion).
Ophthalmic ointments, suspensions and aqueous gels improve bioavailability.
how can eye preparations be prepared differently
can reach the posterior segment of the eye
via intravitreeal injection
periocular injection
systemic adminstration and oral medications
how many drops are there in 1ml of conventional eye drops
Approximately 20 drops in 1mL of conventional eye drops
10mL ~ 200 drops.
(D1 QDS BE 224 drops / D1 QDS RE 112 drops)
(This is an important consideration when ensuring cost-effective issuing of eye preparations).
what needs to be differentiated when sing eye drops as pharmacological treatment vs diagnostically
Aim is to optimise treatment before overfilling the eye.
If more than one type of drop used as a pharmacological treatment, at least 5 minutes should be left between applications, otherwise risk that the second agent will wash out the first drop before it has had time to be fully absorbed.
Compare when preparations are used diagnostically. Pupil dilates immediately. [mydriatics effective if only a small part is absorbed into the eye preparing the eye for further administrations without the 5 min wait]. Only if the immediate dilation does not occur do you have to wait 5 mins before next product is applied.
BEWARE - PATIENTS MAY ASSUME THEY CAN DO THIS AT HOME WITH THEIR REGULAR EYE DROPS!
what types of drugs are orthoptists exempt from using
Local anaesthetics
Fluorescein
Antimicrobials
Lubricants
Mydriatics
Cycloplegics
what drugs have their localised site of action at the cornea
Local anaesthetics
Fluorescein
Antibiotics
Lubricants
what drugs have their localised sites of action in the iris
IRIS:
Mydriatics: (dilate pupil) - Antimuscarinics (cyclopentolate)
what drugs have their localised sites of action in the cillary muscle
CILIARY MUSCLE:
Cycloplegics: (paralyse muscle) - atropine, tropicamide, cyclopentolate
what increases the risk for potential of side effects
Systemic absorption = potential for side effects (drug molecule at the wrong site)
what are antimicrobials
SmPC:
“Fusidic acid eye drops are active against a wide range of gram-positive organisms, particularlyStaphylococcus aureus.
“The sustained release formulation of Fusidic acid eye drops ensures a prolonged contact with the conjunctival sac. Twice daily application provides sufficient fusidic acid concentrations in all relevant tissues of the eye. Fusidic acid penetrates well into the aqueous humour.”
NB Contains Benzalkonium chloride, [Preservatives can cause eye irritation or may discolour contact lenses. Soft contact lenses must not be worn during treatment]