Pharmacology of Sedative Drugs Flashcards
Premedication
1+ agents given in preparation for an operation, other procedure or txt
Tranquilisation
the act to sedate through administration of drugs as the purpose of relieving anxiety & stress
Sedation
Act of administration of a sedative agent to produce a state of calm or sleep (deeper state)
Hypnosis
Refers to a sleep-like state induced by the administration of certain drugs. A patient may be roused from the effects of hypnotic drugs by stimulation
Narcosis
A state of stupor, drowsiness, or unconsciousness produced by certain drugs from which it is NOT easy to rouse the P
What drugs are in the phenothiazine class?
Acepromazine, Chlorpromazine, Methotrimeprazine (levopromazine), Prometazine
Outline the pharmacokinetics of Acepromazine
- Admin/absorption: oral & liquid unreliable, iv/im 5-20 mins/30-45 mins
- Distribution: highly protein bound, crosses BBB
- Metabolism: extensive liver metabolism
- Excretion: conjugated & unconjugated metabolites lost in urine
What are the actions of Acepromazine?
Antagonises:
* Dopamine receptors for sedative effects
* Histamine receptors for antihistaminic effects
* Cholinergic muscarinic receptors for spasmolytic effects on GIT
* Alpha-1 adrenergic receptors on vessels for vasodilation
What are the CNS pharmacodynamics of Acepromazine?
- Sedation
- Anti-emesis
- Extrapyramidal effects at high doses
- Lowered seizure threshold
What are the GIT pharmacodynamics of Acepromazine?
- Antispasmodic
- reduced LOS tone
- increased risk of regurgitation
What are the CVS pharmacodynamics of Acepromazine?
- Hypotension due to vasodilation
- Anti-arrhythmic
- Reduction in PCV due to RBC sequestration in spleen causing splenomegaly
- reduces platelet aggregation
What is a contraindication due to the anti-histaminergic effects of Acepromazine?
- Interference w/ intradermal skin tests
What are the pharmacodynamics of Acepromazine in the reproductive tract?
- Paralysis of retractor-penis muscle
CAUTION IN STALLIONS
When is Acepromazine contraindicated?
- very sick/moribund patients
- AV block (Boxers, MDR1 dogs)
- Vasodilation/syncope
What are some key points of overdose with Acepromazine?
- No reversal agent
- treat symptomatically w/ alpha-1 agonist & BP maintenance
- Do NOT use adrenaline if BP very low
What drugs are in the alpha-2 agonist class?
- (Dex)medetomidine & detomidine
- Xylazine
- Romifidine
Rate the Alpha-2 agonists from least selective for alpha-2 receptors to the most selective.
- Xylazine (least)
- Detomidine
- Romifidine
- Medetomidine
- Dexmedetomidine
What is the mechanism of action of alpha-2 agonists?
- noradrenaline is a natural ligand released & binds to pre & post-synaptic receptors then causing neg FB to stop noradrenaline
- very stressed/ agitated/ anxious animals may have high circulating noradrenaline in blood, so if given a low dose, it won’t work, but the animal can become overdosed if you keep giving more
Alpha-2 receptors are everywhere in the body so…
Caution when using these drugs
What are the centrally mediated effects of alpha-2 agonists?
- sedation
- analgesia (central/spinal)
- peripheral vasodilation
- late bradycardia due to vagal tone
- emesis in SA
- reduction of ADH release –> diureis
What are the peripherally mediated effects of alpha-2 agonists?
- vasoconstriction when bound on the receptors –> hypertension, initial bradycardia in response
- Inhibition of insulin release –> increase in plasma glucose concentration
- reduction of intestinal mobility –> colic (Eq)
What occurs when you give a bolus of alpha-2 agonists?
leads to Vasoconstriction –> BP increases –> increase afterload of the heart and decreases HR –> reduction of CO –> reduction of O2 delivery
What animals can you give Xylazine & in what concentrations?
- Farm Animals 2%
- Equines 10%
What is the duration of action of Xylazine?
- 30 mins to 1 hour
What are some things to remember about Xylazine in farm animals?
- ruminants are very sensitive to it (lower conc)
- hypoxaemia & pulmonary oedema in sheep/goats which can be fatal so if you have to give, give IV very slowly
- can induce labour
What are some key points about Xylazine in equines?
- spasmolytic, analgesic (good for colic)
- myometrial activity in mares possible
Why is Xylazine NOT used in small animals?
- causes vomiting
- associated w/ increased anaesthetic mortality
What is the specificity of Xylazine for alpha-2 receptors?
160 a-2 receptors : 1 a-1 receptor
What is the specificity of Detomidine for alpha-2 receptors?
260 a-2 : 1 a-1
What is the primary way of giving Detomidine?
IV
What is the bioavailability of Detomidine if given IM?
66-85%
Oral preparations of Detomidine are used in…
horses
Detomidine can be used for…
- infusion intra-op
- standing sedation