Premedication Drugs Flashcards
Purposes of premedication
- Sedation, analgesia
- Anesthetic sparing effect
- Reduction of stress and catecholamine release
- Redution of O2 demand
- Increased safety for animals and staff
- Decrease parasympathetic tone
Drugs classes used in premedication
- Anticholinergics
- Alpha 2 agonists
- Phenothiazines and butyrophenones
- Benzodiazepines
- Opioids
- Antihistamines and antibiotics
MOA Anticholinergics
Inhibit parasympathetic nervous system
Antagonize muscarinic acetylcholine receptors
Anticholinergic drugs
Atropine and glycopyrrolate
Atropine
Lipid soluble
Absorbed well IM/SC/PO
Crosses BBB and placenta
Dose: 0.01-0.04 mg/kg IV
Glycopyrrolate
Water soluble
Absorbed slowly IM/SC/PO
Does not cross BBB and placenta
Slower than atropine, half the dosage
Indications for Anticholinergics
Need for increasing the heart rate (opioid induced or reflex bradycardia)
Need for decreasing salivation and bronchial secretions
Contraindications for Anticholinergics
- Tachycardia
- Hyperthyroidism
- Most heart diseases
- Narrow angle glaucoma
Cardiovascular side effects of Anticholinergics
- Second degree AV block (bradycardia and cardiac arrect)
- Tachycardia
- Hypertension
What part of the heart do Anticholinergics effect?
SA node particularly
AV node is weakly effected
Medetomidine/Atropine disadvantages
Vasoconstriction, tachycardia, hypertension
Other effects of anticholinergics
- Relaxes lower esophageal sphincter
- Mydriasis
- Bronchodilation
- Dries airway secretions
- intestinal paralysis
- CNS toxicity
What drug treats anticholinergic CNS toxicity?
Physostigmine
Which Anticholinergic is preferred in rabbits?
Glycopyrrolate
Atropine is broken down too quickly
Which class has the strongest available sedative ability?
Alpha-2 Agonists
Do Alpha-2 agonists have specific antagonists?
Yes
MOA: Alpha-2 agonists
Competitive agonist of alpha-2 receptor (suppress NE release)
Location of alpha-2 receptors
- CNS presynaptic membrane
- Postsynaptic membrane
- Extra-synaptic sites
Alpha-2 agonist presynaptic effects
- Sedation
- Analgesia
- Reduction of sympathetic outflow from brain
- Reduction of stress response
Alpha-2 agonist postsynaptic effects
Vasoconstriction of arteries and veins
Alpha-2 agonist extra synaptic effects
- Inhibition of lipolysis
- Inhibition of insulin release- hyperglycemia
- Natural ligand with Epinepherine
- Interaction with stress response
Alpha-2 agonist CNS effects
- Species specific sedative (weak in pigs)
- Some analgesia- synergism with opioids
- Muscle relaxation
Alpha-2 agonist Cardiovascular effects
- Strong vasoconstriction- high SVR and BP
- Reflex bradycardia- low CO and tissue perfusion
- May develop hypotension
Should alpha-2 agonists be used with atropine?
No- reflex bradycardia does not need to be treated
Alpha-2 agonist Respiratory effects
- Mild respiratory depression (decreased RR)
- Increase in tidal volume
- Increased upper airway resistance
- V/Q mismatch in horses and ruminants- decreased PaO2
- Bronchoconstriction, lung edema, and hypoxemia in Ruminants
Which alpha-2 agonist is contraindicated in sheep?
Xylazine
Alpha-2 agonist GI effects
- Decreased salivation
- Decreased lower esophageal sphincter tone
- Decreased GI motility
- May induce vomiting- esp cats
Xylazine side effect in cattle
Uterine contractions and abortion
Alpha-2 agonist indications
- Sedation of aggressive animmals
- Sedation in the ICU
- Sedation to manage post-op airway obstruction
- Prevention/tx of seizures
Alpha-2 agonist contraindications
- Too young or too old
- Hemodynamic instability
- Severely debilitated patient
- Not suitable for most at risk patients
Alpha-2 agonist drugs
- Xylazine
- Medetomidine
- Dexmedetomidine
- Detomidine
- Romifidine
Alpha-2 antagonist drugs
- Atipemezole
- Yohimbine
- Tolazoline
Which alpha-2 antagonist should be used to counteract alpha-2 agonist drugs?
Atipemezole
Alpha-2 antagonist are always given what route?
IM
Emergency can be given IV
Which alpha-2 antagonist is the most specific?
Atipemezole