Pharmacology of analgesia Flashcards
Which analgesics act at the site of injury?
NSAIDs decrease nociceptor sensitisation in inflammation primarily by blocking synthesis of prostaglandins
Which analgesic suppress nerve conduction by blocking/inactivating voltage-activated sodium channels?
Local anaesthetics such as lidocaine
Which analgesics suppress synaptic transmission of nociceptive signals in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord?
Opioids and some anti-depressants
Which analgesics work by activating (or potentiating) descending inhibitory controls?
Opioids, select tricyclic antidepressants
Which analgesics target ion channels unregulated in nerve damage?
Antiepileptics of several types such as GABA pentinoids
What are the stages on the WHO analgesic ladder?
- NSAID and/or paracetamol 2. Weak opioid 3. Strong opioid
List the strong opioids?
- Morphine - oxycodone - hydromorphone - heroin - fentanyl
List the weak opioids?
Codeine, tramadol, dextropropoxyphene
List the NSAIDs?
Aspirin, diclofenac, ibuprofen, naproxen, indometacin
Define opiate
Substances extracted from opium or of a similar structure to those in opium
Define opioid
Any agent (including endogenous peptides, known collectively as endorphins/enkaphalins) that act upon opioid receptors
What mediates supra spinal anti-nociception?
Descending pathways from the brainstem
What brain areas are involved in pain perception and emotion and to where do they project?
- cortex - amygdala - thalamus - hypothalamus Project to specific brainstem nuclei
What to neurones of brainstem nuclei give rise to?
Efferent pathways that project to the spinal cord to modify afferent input
In pain regulation excitation of the ___ by ________ stimulation produces profound ________. Endogenous opioids (________), or morphine and related compounds, also cause ______ (by inhibiting inhibitory GABAergic interneurones)
In pain regulation excitation of the PAG by electrical stimulation produces profound analgesia. Endogenous opioids (enkephalins), or morphine and related compounds, also cause excitation (by inhibiting inhibitory GABAergic interneurones)
Activated PAG neurons projecting to ______ _____ ______ excite __________ and __________ neurones projecting to the dorsal horn resulting in ________ of nociceptive transmission
Activated PAG neurons projecting to nucleus raphe magnus excite serotonergic and enkephalinergic neurones projecting to the dorsal horn resulting in suppression of nociceptive transmission
Morphine causes what?
Excitation of nucleus raphe magnus neurones
Locus coeruleus noradrenergic neurones projecting to the dorsal horn are also excited by what?
Electrical stimulation of PAG
NRM causes inhibition through……
Serotonin and enkephalins
LC causes inhibition through….
noradrenaline
Opioid action is mediated by _ _______-______ opioid receptors, all of which signal preferentially to ______
Opioid action is mediated by G protein-coupled opioid receptors, all of which signal preferentially to Gi/o
Signalling of Gi/o by opiods produces
- inhibition of opening of voltage activated Ca2+ channels
- opening of K+ channels
- inhibition of adenylate cyclase
How does inhibition of opening of voltage-activated Ca2+ channels act to provide analgesia?
Suppresses excitatory neurotransmitter release from nociceptor terminals- mediated by the Gi/oβγ subunit
How does opening of K+ channels contribute to opioid analgesia?
Suppreses excitation of projection neurones- mediated by the Gi/oβγ subunit
What mediates inhibition of adenylate cyclase
Gi/oα subunit
What are opioid receptors typically classed as?
- μ responsible for most of the analgesic effects- major adverse effects
- δ contributes to analgesia but activation can be proconvulsant
- κ contributes to analgesia at the spinal and peripheral level and activation associated with sedation, dysphoria and hallucinations
What are the effects of opoids on the respiratory system and what is the mechanism?
Apnoea
Blunting of medullary respiratory centre to CO2 (Hypercapnic response; pain opposes this, but natural sleep is synergistic) involves μ and δ receptors
What are the effects of opioids on the cardiovascular system and what are the mechanisms?
Orthostatic hypertension
- Reduced sympathetic tone and bradycardia (via actions on the medulla)*
- Histamine- evoked vasodilation. Morphine, but not all opioids cause mast cell degranulation which can trigger bronchospasm in asthmatics.*
What are the effects of opioids on the gastrointestinal system and what are the mechanisms?
Nausea, vomiting, constipation, increased intrabiliary pressure.
- Action on CTZ (outside the BBB)*
- Increased smooth muscle tone, decreased motility, via enteric neurones- involves μ and δ receptors*
What are the adverse effects of opioids on the CNS and what is the mechanism?
Confusion, euphoria, dysphoria, hallucinations, dizziness, myoclonus, hyperalgesia (with excessive use)
- Occur to different degrees dependent upon the specific opioid drug and receptor subtypes activated.
Which opioids are agonists and achieve analgesia mainly through prolonged activation of of μ-opioid receptors?
Morphine
Diamorphine (3, 6- diacetylmorphine, heroin)
Codeine (3- methoxymorphine)
Fentanyl
Pethidine
Buprenophine
Tramadol
Methadone
Etrophine (immobilon)