Pharmacology of Pain: Local anaesthetics Flashcards
what do local anaesthetics do?
They produce a transient and reversible loss of sensation (analgesia) in a circumscribed region of the body without loss of consciousness.
is the process of anaesthesia by local anaesthetics reversible or not?
it is reversible
what are the three major classification groups for local anaesthetics?
- Esthers (has two subgroups; all drug names ending in ‘Caine’)
- Amides (all drug names ending in ‘Caine’)
- Quinolone (only drug is centbucridine)
what is the general structure of local anaesthetics?
- aromatic ring - the lipophilic portion
- intermediate (ester or amide) linkage
- terminal amine - the hydrophilic portion
what way does the Na+/K+ pump work on Na+ and K+?
3Na+ out, 2K+ in - creating an overall positive exterior and relatively negative interior at resting potential
how do local anaesthetics work?
- the lipophilic and hydrophilic ends of the drug molecule dissociate
- lipophilic end diffuses across the membrane into the cell (neurone)
- the lipophilic molecule binds to a hydrophilic molecule on the inside of the cell to reform the drug.
- when an action potential occurs, the Na+ channels are opened and the drug molecule binds to the channels blocking Na+ transport into the cell
- this prevents threshold potential from being met as there is no depolarisation therefore no action potential.
which type of fibres have the most sensitivity to local anaesthetics?
C-fibers
what is the vasoactivity of ester local anaesthetics?
-causes vasodilation
what tissue has the highest level of local anaesthetics?
skeletal muscle
what influences the blood level of local anaesthetics?
- Rate at which the drug is absorbed into the cardiovascular system.
- Rate of distribution from the vascular compartment to the tissues.
- Elimination of the drug through metabolic or excretory pathways.
do local anaesthetics cross the blood brain barrier?
yes
how do local anaesthetics enter the blood stream of a developing fetus?
via the placenta
what is the effect of a higher lipid solubility on the drug potency?
-increases the potency hence a lower drug conc can be used hence reducing potential for toxicity
what type of pH increases drug action?
acidic conditions
how are esters cleared?
hydrolysis via cholinesterase
how are amides cleared?
metabolism via hepatic enzymes in the liver