Pharmacology - CNS & Autonomic Flashcards
What is the mechanism of action and clinical uses of carbamazapine
- mechanism: blocks Na+ channels and inhibits high frequency firing
- uses: anticonvulsant (partial and generalised tonic clonic seizures), bipolar mood disorder, trigeminal neuralgia
What is the metabolism, side effects and drug interactions of carbamazapine
-pharmacokinetics: well absorbed, slowed by meal, peak level 6-8 hours, 70% protein bound
metabolised by liver enzymes, induces itself, active metabolites
-adverse effects: diplopia and ataxia are most common, sedation, seizure, gi upset, agranulocytosis
-drug interactions: carbamazapine is a enzyme inducer
causes increased clearance of: warfarin, OCP phenytoin, valproate, lamotrigine
What is the mechanism of action, pharmacokinetics and side effects of phenytoin
-mechanism: blocks Na+ channel (preferentially binds to inactivated state), decreases glutamate, increases GABA
-pharmacokinetics: high bioavailability, highly protein bound, low VD, CSF concentration proportional to blood plasma
metabolised to inactive metabolites in liver, excreted by kidney
first order kinetics at low level, zero order kinetics at high level
-side effects: early nystagmus, diplopia, ataxia, sedation, gingival hyperplasia, megaloblastic anaemia
Describe how phenytoin is administered in status epilepticus, why loading dose and risks of IV administration
- IV loading dose of 10-15 mg/kg, diluted in saline (precipitates in glucose), then 100mg 6-8 hourly as maintenance
- loading dose is used to reach target concentration more rapidly, otherwise would need 4 half lives to get to steady state
- risks of IV administration: hypotension and bradycardia with rapid infusion; as a vesicant = phlebitis, extravasation -> tissue damage
What is the mechanism of action, pharmacokinetics and adverse effects of sodium valproate
-mechanism: blocks high frequency firing Na+ channels, blocks NMDA, enhances GABA
-pharmacokinetics: well absorbed, good bioavailability, food delays absorption, 90% protein bound, peak level in 2 hours
95% hepatic metabolism, 5% unchanged in urine, clearance is dose dependant
-adverse effects: nausea, vomiting, reflux, weight gain, hair loss, hepatotoxic
-drug interactions: enzyme inhibitor, also inhibits its own metabolism
increased levels of = phenytoin, carbamazepine, phenobarbitone
displaces phenytoin from plasma proteins
What are the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of ethanol
-pharmacodynamics:
cns = sedation, relief of anxiety, disinhibition, slurred speech, ataxia
cvs = depression of myocardial contractility
smooth muscle = vasodilation and relaxation of uterus
-pharmacokinetics: rapid absorption from the GI tract, food delays absorption by slowing gastric emptying
peak concentration in 30 minutes, volume of distribution approximates total body water, readily crosses BBB
90% metabolised in liver by alcohol dehydrogenase, rest by Microsomal Ethanol Oxidizing System (MEOS)
follows zero order kinetics, excreted through lungs and urine
What does zero order kinetics mean
elimination occurs at a constant rate independent of drug concentration, also known as saturable elimination kinetics
E.g. alcohol, warfarin, heparin, aspirin, phenytoin
What classes of local anaesthetics are used in ED and what is the mechanism of action and which ones are used topically
classes:
amides: lidocaine, prilocaine, bupivacaine
metabolised by liver P450 enzymes
esters: procaine, tetracaine, benzocaine
very short half lives, metabolised by plasma cholinesterase
Mechanism: blockade of voltage-gated Na+ channels, preventing depolarisation
-topical: co-phenylcaine (spray with lignocaine), EMLA (cream with lignocaine and prilocaine)
What is the mechanism of action, pharmacokinetics and toxic effects of bupivacaine?
-mechanism: amide, weak base, block voltage-gated Na+ channel (higher affinity for activated/inactivated state)
prevents depolarisation
-pharmacokinetics: biphasic distribution, metabolised by liver P450, duration of action 4-8 hours (longer than others)
renal excretion
- use: nerve blocks (femoral, digital, intercostal), local infiltration, epidurals
- toxicity: lip and tongue numbness, metallic taste, nystagmus, twitching, seizures, arrhythmia, more cardiotoxic than lidocaine
- safe dose: <2mg/kg
What is the mechanism, factors affecting absorption, maximum dose and toxic effect of lidocaine
- mechanism: Na+ channel blocker, class 1b
- factors affecting absorption: dose, site, tissue blood flow, use of adrenaline
-doses: plain 3mg/kg (maximum 300mg), with adrenaline 5mg/kg (maximum 500mg)
-toxic effects: early lip and tongue numbness, metallic taste, nystagmus, muscle twitching, seizures, hypotension, arrhythmia
transient neurological symptoms = severe pain, highest rate with lidocaine
Why do you get tachyphylaxis with local anaesthetic use
due to increased ionisation
(actually mechanisms remain unclear and inconclusive, a few suggested mechanisms: local pH change altering ionisation, increased clearance due to local flow or metabolism, increased afferent input from local nociceptors, sodium channel down regulation)
Give some examples of drugs used as anaesthetic agents
thiopentone, propofol, ketamine, fentanyl, midazolam, etomidate
Describe the onset and recovery of propofol and ketamine
- propofol: rapid onset/recovery due to redistribution rather than metabolism, rapidly metabolised by liver (also in lungs)
- ketamine: rapid onset, recovery due to redistribution but is slower and is more associated with emergence phenomena
Describe the cardiovascular effects of propofol and ketamine
- propofol: reduction in BP during induction due to vasodilation of arterial/venous circulations, inhibition of baroreceptor reflex
- ketamine: transient increase in BP/HR/CO via SNS stimulation
Describe the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of ketamine
Pharmacodynamics: NMDA receptor antagonist, blocking glutamate, inhibit reuptake of catecholamine and serotonin
Pharmacokinetics: highly lipid soluble/rapid onset, low protein binding, effect terminated by redistribution to inactive tissue sites, metabolised by liver (CYP450), excreted in urine
Describe the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of propofol
Pharmacodynamics: potentiation of glycine and chloride current mediated through GABAa receptor complex
Pharmacokinetics: large VOD, high protein bind, rapid onset, distribution t1/2 2-4 min, elimination t1/2 4-23 min, doa 3-8 min
rapid onset/recovery due to redistribution rather than metabolism
rapidly metabolised in liver, extra-hepatic metabolism in lungs, excreted in urine
-dosing: induction 1-2.5 mg/kg, procedural sedation 0.5-1 mg/kg
Describe the pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics and side effects of thiopentone (describe the distribution)
-pharmacodynamics: enhances effect of GABA on GABAa receptors, causing neural inhibition
action determined by redistribution rather than metabolism
-pharmacokinetics: highly lipid soluble, distributes to highly vascular tissue, rapidly crosses the BBB then distributes to fat
t1/2 9 hours, hepatic metabolism
-advantages: rapid, controllable, amnesic, reduces ICP, anticonvulsant, neuroprotection
-disadvantages: hypotension, venous irritant, myocardial depression, contraindicated in acute intermittent porphyria
Describe the solubility characteristics of nitrous oxide
-relatively insoluble in blood, thus few molecules needed to increase the partial pressure = low partition coefficient = fast onset
What is the mechanism of action, organ effects and metabolism of nitrous oxide
-mechanism: inhibition of NMDA receptors and activation of opioid/GABAa receptors
-organ effects:
cns = analgesia, amnesic, increased CBF
cvs = dose dependent myocardial depression
respiratory = respiratory depression, no real change in tidal volume (unlike other volatiles)
renal = decreased GFR, increased filtration fraction, increased renal vascular resistance
-pharmacokinetics: not metabolised and excreted unchanged through lungs and skin
List the classes of drugs used in ED for procedural sedation
- benzodiazepines: midazolam, diazepam
- dissociative anaesthetics: ketamine
- intravenous anaesthetics: propofol (no analgesic properties)
- inhaled anaesthetics: nitrous oxide, volatiles
- opiates: morphine, fentanyl
What is the mechanism of action of benzodiazepine - effects and uses?
-mechanism: agonist at the GABAa receptor in the CNS and causes increased frequency of Cl- channel opening
binds to subunit different than GABA binding site, does not activate the channel, enhances GABA effect on the receptor
-effects: sedation, hypnosis, anaesthesia, anticonvulsant, muscle relaxation, respiratory and cardiovascular depression
-uses: anticonvulsant, sedation in agitated patient, alcohol withdrawal, toxidromes
-commonly used: diazepam, midazolam, lorazepam, clonazepam, temazepam
Explain the rationale to use benzodiazepines in alcohol withdrawal
- alcohol dependant people exhibit down regulation of neuro-inhibitory GABA receptors
- this leads to GABA deficiency in withdrawal
- benzodiazepine facilitate GABA binding to GABAa receptor, enhancing Cl- activation
What is Flumazenil and how does it work (adverse effects)
- competitive antagonist at the benzodiazepine binding site on GABAa
- blocks actions of benzodiazepines
- adverse effects: agitation, confusion, dizziness, nausea, abstinence syndrome, seizure
What is the mechanism, clinical use and anticonvulsants properties of clonazepam
- mechanism: binds to GABAa receptors, potentiating opening of Cl- channels causing inhibition by hyperpolarisation
- uses: anticonvulsant, anxiolytic, sedative
- why effective anticonvulsant: lipid soluble, crosses BBB, potentiates inhibitory interneurons
What is the mechanism, clinical effects and pharmacokinetics of midazolam
- mechanism: binds to GABAa receptor subunit, potentiating GABA inhibition by assisting in opening of Cl- channels
- clinical effect: amnesia, anticonvulsant, anxiolytic, sedative-hypnotic, antiemetic
- pharmacokinetics: PO/IV/IM/buccal/PR/IN, poor oral bioavailability, lipid soluble, highly protein bound, crosses BBB, hepatic metabolism with active metabolites, short elimination half life (oral bioavailability of diazepam is 100%)
- adverse effects: excess sedation, respiratory depression, decreased motor skills, impaired judgement, hypotension
Draw the arterial anaesthetic tension vs time for N2O, halothane and methoxyflurane
Describe the systemic and adverse effects of Ketamine.
Sedative-hypnotic
- systemic effects:
cns = dissociative amnesia, analgesia, preserves reflexes, cerebral vasodilator (increased ICP)
cvs = transient increase in BP/HR/CO via SNS stimulation
respiratory = relaxes bronchial smooth muscle, no significant respiratory depression - indications: analgesia, bronchodilator in asthma, procedural sedation, intubation, acute behavioural disturbance, depression
- side effects: emergence phenomena and laryngospasm in children, vomiting, salivation/lacrimation, hypertension, tachycardia
- reasons to avoid: allergy, raised intracranial pressure, raised intraocular pressure
- dose for procedural sedation in a child: 1-2 mg/kg IV