Test 1: Barbiturates Flashcards
What is Barbituric Acid?
Barbituric acid is pharmacologically inert, but substitutions at the C5 position impart hypnotic activity.
-Branched sidechains have a greater hypnotic activity than straight chains
-Sulfur substitution = sodium thiopental. It was the mainstay for the intravenous induction of anesthesia before the introduction of propofol.
-No analgesic properties
-Lost popularity due to associated with hang-over, narrow therapeutic index, and evolution of new drugs (propofol)
Substituting a Phenyl Group at C5 on Barbituric Acid causes what?
Anticonvulsant activity
-Used in pediatrics
-Ex: Phenobarbital
Substituting a Methyl Group at N1 on Barbituric Acid causes what?
-Shortens DOA
-Increases potency
-Increases excitatory effects
-Increases convulsive activity (used in ECT)
-Ex: Methohexital
Substituting a Suflur Atom at C2 on Barbituric Acid causes what?
-Increases lipid solubility
-Increases anesthetic potency
-Increases onset of action
-Ex: Sodium Thiopental
Substituting an Oxygen Atom at C2 on Barbituric Acid causes what?
“Oxybarbiturate”
-Secobarbital (Seconal)
What was THE intravenous induction agent for anesthesia prior to Diprivan (Propofol)?
Thiopental
-Production in the U.S. stopped in 2010 over controversy associated with thiopental’s use in lethal injection.
What are the general symptoms associated with the use of Barbiturates?
-Sedation, Hypnosis
-EEG slowing to burst suppression
-Decreased CMRO2
-Anticonvulsant (Thiopental)
-Myocardial depression
-Decreased vascular resistance
-Respiratory depression
-Excitatory motor effects (Methohexital)
What occurs when barbiturates are mixed with nonbasic solutions such as normal saline?
Barbiturate sodium salts require a pH greater than 10 to remain in aqueous solution and precipitate readily when mixed with nonbasic solutions such as normal saline solution.
What occurs when Barbiturates are combined in high concentrations with certain weak bases such as neuromuscular blockers?
They also precipitate when combined in high concentrations with certain weak bases such as the neuromuscular blockers, forming a “conjugate salt” (e.g., sodium thiopental and rocuronium bromide precipitate to form sodium bromide).
Describe the Pharmacokinetics of Thiopental?
-Onset of action: 30-60 seconds (extremely lipophilic)
-Duration of action: 5-30 minutes (!)
-The subsequent decline in concentration results primarily from redistribution to other tissues rather than metabolism and elimination
-Highly protein bound (75-90%) in the plasma to albumin (affected by decreased albumin levels)
-Metabolized into Pentobarbital (only an issue in prolonged, high-dose administration) via Hepatic and Renal
-1/2 life = 3-11 hours
What is the induction dose for adults and children of Sodium Thiopental (Pentothol)?
Adults: 3-5 mg/kg
Children: 5-6 mg/kg
What are contraindications to the use of Barbiturates?
-Hypersensitivity
-Porphyria
What is Porphyria?
A disorder of the enzymes that participate in the production of porphyrins (protein essential for hemoglobin function) and heme.
-Results in the buildup of the chemicals that produce porphyrin
-Genetic condition
What are the Acute S/Sx of Porphyria?
-Severe abdominal pain/distention
-Pain to chest, legs, back
-Constipation, diarrhea, vomiting
-Increase BP/palpitations
-Insomnia, anxiety, restlessness
-Seizures
-Breathing problems
-Muscle weakness, paralysis
-Red or brown urine
What is the MOA of Sodium Thiopental (Pentothol)?
1) Potentiates GABA’s effect
2) Blocks excitatory effect of Glutamate at AMPA and kainate receptor subtypes, but not at NMDA receptors.
3) Inhibits Neuronal Nicotinic (Ach) Receptors