SNS agonists Flashcards
How do presynaptic alpha 2 receptors influence NA synthesis and release?
High [NA] in synapse
Stimulates presynpatic a2 receptors
Negative feedback effect on NA synthesis and release
Impairs sympathetic function
Explain the relative selectivity of SNS agonists
- All adrenoceptors can be activated by NA and A
- NA is more selective for alpha receptors
- A is more selective for beta receptors
List some SNS agonists and whether they are selective. If they are, what for?
Adrenaline - non-selective Phenylephrine - a1 Clonidine - a2 Dobutamine - b1 Salbutamol - b2 Isoprenaline - b1 + b2
What does adrenoceptor selectivity depend on?
- Concentration of drug
- At low conc, drugs are selective
- Increase conc, chance of binding to other receptors increases
What are the clinical uses of adrenaline (non-selective adrenoceptor agonist)?
ADRENALINE
- Allergic reactions and anaphylactic shock - reverses potentially life-threatening hypotension and bronchoconstriction
- Cardiogenic shock
- COPD - relieves breathing difficulties
- Acute management of heart block
- Spinal anaesthesia (i.v.) - maintains BP
- LA - vasoconstricts, prolongs action
- Glaucoma
What are the principal pharmacological features of adrenaline (non-selective adrenoceptor agonists)?
a1 - vasoconstriction b1 - tachycardia b2 - bronchodilation Suppression of mediator release (histamine from mast cells) Relaxation of throat muscles
- im, iv, sc
- poorly absorbed
- doa = mins
- metabolised by MAO and COMT
How does adrenaline (non-selective adrenoceptor agonist) work?
Allergic reaction, anaphylactic shock:
- B2 - bronchodilation to allow breathing
- B1 - tachycardia to support BP
- A1 - vasoconstriction
- Suppression of mediator release (histamine)
- Acute bronchospasm, asthma: B2-mediated bronchodilation and suppression of mediator release
- Cardiogenic shock - B1 inotropic effects
A1 - maintains BP in spinal anaesthesia and vasoconstricts to prolong action in LA
Glaucoma - stimulates a1Rs in BVs in ciliary body –> vasoconstriction –> less blood to CB –> reduced AH production
What are the unwanted effects of adrenaline (non-selective adrenoceptor agonist)?
ADRENALINE
- Reduced and thick secretions
- CVS: tachycardia, palpitations, arrhythmias, cold extremities, hypertension, overdose - cerebral haemorrhage, PE
- Skeletal muscle tremor
What are the clinical uses of phenylephrine (a1-selective adrenoceptor agonist)?
Vasoconstriction - iv, topical (slightly elevated BP)
Mydriatic - eye drops
Nasal decongestant - nose drops, oral
What are the principal pharmacological features of phenylephrine (a1-selective adrenoceptor agonist)?
a1 - phenylephrine:
Chemically related to adrenaline
More resistant to COMT degradation
Not resistant to MAO degradation
What are the unwanted effects of alpha-selective adrenoceptor agonists?
a1 - phenylephrine: Headache Reflex bradycardia Excitability, restlessness Cardiac arrhythmias
a2 - clonidine: Sedation Dry mouth Hypotension Persistent colds
How do alpha-selective adrenoceptor agonists work?
a1 - phenylephrine
Binds to a1Rs to cause vasoconstriction
a2 - clonidine: 2 actions 1. Stimulates pre-synaptic a2Rs in vasomotor centre in BS Decreases presynaptic [Ca] Inhibits NA release Less stimulation at effector organ Less vasoconstriction Reduced TPR and BP
- Acts on baroreceptors to reduce symp drive out of brain
Reduces TPR and NA release at nerve terminal
Reduces TPR further and BP
What are the clinical uses of beta-selective adrenoceptor agonists?
b1 + b2 - isoprenaline:
Heart block - i.v.
b1 - dobutamine:
Cardiogenic shock
Acute HF - all i.v.
MI
b2 - salbutamol:
Asthma - inhalation, oral
Threatened uncomplicated premature labour - i.v.
What are the principal pharmacological features of beta-selective adrenoceptor agonists?
b1 + b2 - isoprenaline:
-A derivative of nor-adrenaline, but less
susceptible to breakdown by Uptake 1 and MAO
- Longer plasma half-life - 2h
- Some tissue uptake, metabolised by COMT
b1 - dobutamine:
- Plasma half-life = 2 mins
- Rapidly metabolised by COMT
- i.v.
b2 - salbutamol:
- Synthetic catecholamine derivative
- Relative resistance to MAO, COMT and Uptake 1
- oral or aerosol
- half life = 4h
What are the unwanted effects of beta-selective adrenoceptor agonists?
b1 + b2 - isoprenaline:
- Pooling of blood in muscles
- Decreased venous return
- Reflex tachycardia
- Tf b2 stimulation is bad for HF patients
- Exacerbates arrhytmias
b1 - dobutamine:
- Exacerbates arrhytmias
b2 - salbutamol:
- Reflex tachycardia
- Fine tremor in skeletal muscles
- Blood sugar dysregulation
- Caution with cardiac patients, hyperthyroidism (increased
sensitivity of adrenoceptors) and i.v. use in diabetics