PHARMACOLOGY - Respiratory Pharmacology and General Anaesthetics Flashcards
How can the lungs be used as a route of drug administration?
The lungs can be used as a route of drug administration through the inhalation of gaseous or vaporised drugs
Which pharmacokinetic properties of an inhaled drug would achieve systemic distribution?
An inhaled drug that is uncharged (highly lipid soluble) will be able to diffuse through lipid membranes into the bloodstream
What pharmacokinetic properties of an inhaled drug would achieve localised distribution?
An inhaled drug that is charged (limited lipid solubility) will not be able to diffuse though lipid membranes and thus remain in the lungs
Which type of drug, administered through inhalation, undergos systemic distribution?
General anaesthetics
Which types of drug, administered through inhalation, require localised distribution?
Bronchodilators
Corticosteroids
What is a premedicant (pre-med)?
A premedicant is a drug that is given prior to general anaesthetics
What is an induction drug?
An induction drug is a drug that achieves the transition from consciousness to unconsciousness
What is a maintenance drug?
A maintenance drug is a drug that maintains the anaesthetic state
(T/F) General anaesthetics have a large therapeutic index
FALSE. General anaesthetics have a narrow therapeutic index
What is the oil:gas partition coefficient?
The oil:gas partition coefficient is a measure of the distribution of a general anaesthetic between lipid and gas
What is indicated by a high oil:gas partition coefficient (explain why)?
A high oil:gas partition coefficient indicates that a general anaesthetic has a higher lipid solubility and thus a higher potency (lower quantity of drug is required to achieve the desired effect)
What is the blood:gas partition coefficient?
The blood:gas partition coefficient is a measure of the distribution of a general anaesthetic between blood and gas
What is indicated by a low blood:gas partition coefficient?
A low blood:gas partition coefficient indicates that a general anaesthetic has a more rapid induction and recovery
Which organ metabolises inhalational general anaesthetics?
Liver
How are inhalational general anaesthetics eliminated?
Expiration
What is the risk of more highly metabolised general anaesthetics?
General anaesthetics can be metabolised into toxic metabolites which can be eliminated through expiration and thus pose a risk to the staff in the operating theatre
What is the minimum alveolar concentration (MAC)?
The concentration of the drug required so 50% of patients will not respond to a particular stimulus
What is indicated by a low minimum alveolar concentration (MAC)?
A low minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) indicates that the general anaesthetic has a higher potency as a lower concentration is required to produce the desired effect
Which five factors can affect the minimum alveolar concentration (MAC)?
Species
Age
Pregnancy
Hypothermia
Other drugs (such as opioids)
What are inhalational general anaesthetics usually used for?
Inhalational general anaesthetics are typically used as maintenance drugs
What is the main advantage of using inhalational general anaesthetics as maintenance drugs?
Allows for rapid adjustment of anaesthetic depth
What are the two disadvantages of using inhalational general anaesthetics as maintenance drugs?
There is a lot of equipment required
Environmental pollution
(T/F) Halogenated drugs are gaseous general anaesthetics
FALSE. Halogenated drugs are vaporised anaesthetics
List four halogenated general anaesthetics
Halothane
Isofluorane
Sevofluorane
Desfluorane
Why is isofluorane not an appropriate induction drug?
Isofluorane has an unpleasant odour which will cause animals to resist the mask induction
Which halogenated general anaesthetic does not produce toxic metabolites?
Sevofluorane
Why is sevofluorane an appropriate induction drug?
Sevofluorane has a pleasant odour and causes minimal airway irritation
What is vapour pressure (mmHg)?
Vapour pressure is a measure of the ease of vaporisation. The higher the vapour pressure (mmHg) value, the more easily the drug is vaporised