Pharmacology Flashcards
What type of drug can effectively diffuse across the BBB?
Lipophilic/hydrophobic
Give an example of a lipophilic drug that is used for anxiety
Propranolol - more lipophilic than other beta blockers
State the uses of antidepressant drugs
- moderate/severe depression
- dysthymia
- generalised anxiety disorder
- panic/OCD/PTSD
- bulimia nervosa
- neuropathic pain
- premenstrual dysphoric disorder
Name three classes of antidepressants
Monoamine oxidase inhibitor
Monoamine reuptake inhibitor
Atypical drugs (post synaptic)
Name three monoamines
- dopamine
- noradrenaline
- 5 HT/serotonin
Where is serotonin produced?
Raphe nucleus
Where are most serotonin neurons located?
Rostral nucleus but has multiple cortical projections to areas involving mood, sleep, feeding, behaviour and sensory perception
Other than serotonin production what is the raphe nucleus also involved in?
Analgesia
Where is noradrenaline produced?
Locus coeruleus with projections to areas of arousal and emotion
What is the function of MAO?
Converts monoamines into metabolites
How do monoamine oxidase inhibitors work?
Prevent the conversion of neurotransmitter to metabolite
Give two examples of MAOi
Phenelzine (irreversible)
Moclobemide (reversible)
What are the side effects of MAOi?
Cheese reaction Decreased metabolism of other drugs Insomnia Postural hypotension Peripheral oedema
Describe the cheese reaction
Hypertensive crisis, inhibition of MAO in the gut prevents breakdown of dietary tyramine - tyramine causes vasoconstriction and malignant hypertension
How do tricyclic antidepressants work?
Block uptake of amines by competition of nerve terminals - non-specific inhibition of noradrenaline and 5HT uptake